Hoban et al v. Nova Casualty Company

Filing 46

ORDER re SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE. Order signed by Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on 6/25/2018. (Timken, A)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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PATTI HOBAN, et al.,
Plaintiffs,

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NOVA CASUALTY COMPANY,
Defendant.

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ORDER re SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

v.

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Case No. 1:17-cv-00286 DAD SKO

_____________________________________/

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This case is set for a Settlement Conference before Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on

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August 17, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the U. S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno,

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California, 93721.

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Consideration of settlement is a serious matter that requires thorough preparation prior to
the settlement conference. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

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1.

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A settlement conference is more likely to be productive if, before the conference, the

Pre-settlement Conference Exchange of Demand and Offer

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parties exchange written settlement proposals. Accordingly, at least 15 days prior to the

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settlement conference, plaintiff’s counsel shall submit a written itemization of damages and

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settlement demand to each defense counsel with a brief summary of the legal and factual basis

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supporting the demand. No later than 10 days prior to the settlement conference, each defense

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counsel shall submit a written offer to plaintiff’s counsel with a brief summary of the legal and

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factual basis supporting the offer.

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2.

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The parties are to send Confidential Settlement Conference Statements (Settlement

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Statement) to the following email address: [e-mail], to arrive no later than

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5 business days before the conference. Each statement shall be clearly marked

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“CONFIDENTIAL” with the date and time of the mandatory settlement conference indicated

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prominently. Each party shall also file a Notice of Submission of Confidential Settlement

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Conference Statement (See L.R. 270 (d)).

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Submission and Content of Confidential Settlement Conference Statements

If the Settlement Conference is continued for any reason, each party must submit a new
Settlement Statement that is complete in itself, without reference to any prior Settlement
Statements.

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Each Settlement Statement shall include the following:

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a.

A brief summary of the core facts, allegations, and defenses, a forthright

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evaluation of the parties’ likelihood of prevailing on the claims and

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defenses, and a description of the major issues in dispute.

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b.

A summary of the proceedings to date.

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c.

An estimate of the cost and time to be expended for further discovery,

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pretrial, and trial.

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d.
e.

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The nature of the relief sought.
An outline of past settlement efforts including information regarding the

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"Pre-settlement Conference Exchange of Demand and Offer" required

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above—including the itemization of damages—and a history of past

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settlement discussions, offers, and demands.

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f.

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A statement of each party’s expectations and goals for the Settlement
Conference.

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3.

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The attorneys who will try the case and parties with full and complete settlement authority

Attendance of Trial Counsel and Parties Required

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are required to personally attend the conference.1 An insured party shall appear by a

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representative of the insurer who is authorized to negotiate, and who has full authority to negotiate

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and settle the case. An uninsured corporate party shall appear by a representative authorized to

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negotiate, and who has full authority to negotiate and settle the case. It is difficult for a party who

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is not present to appreciate the process and the reasons that may justify a change in one’s

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perspective toward settlement. Accordingly, having a client with authority available by telephone

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is not an acceptable alternative, except under the most extenuating circumstances.2

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The Court expects both the lawyers and the party representatives to be fully prepared to

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participate. The Court encourages all parties to keep an open mind in order to reassess their

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previous positions and to discover creative means for resolving the dispute.

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4.

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The parties shall be prepared to discuss the following at the settlement conference:

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Issues to Be Discussed

a.

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Goals in the litigation and problems they would like to address in the
settlement conference and understanding of the opposing side’s goals.

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b.

The issues (in and outside the lawsuit) that need to be resolved.

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c.

The strengths and weaknesses of their case.

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Their understanding of the opposing side’s view of the case.

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Their points of agreement and disagreement (factual and legal).

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Any financial, emotional, and/or legal impediments to settlement.

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Whether settlement or further litigation better enables the accomplishment

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of their respective goals.

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Insurance carriers, business organizations, and governmental bodies or agencies whose settlement
agreements are subject to approval by legislative bodies, executive committees, boards of directors or the
like shall be represented by a person or persons who occupy high executive positions in the party
organization and who will be directly involved in the process of approval of any settlement offers or
agreements.
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Out of town or out of state travel and the purchase of an airplane ticket are not extenuating circumstances.

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h.

Any possibilities for a creative resolution of the dispute.

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5.

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The parties are expected to address each other with courtesy and respect, and are

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encouraged to be frank and open in their discussions. Statements made by any party during the

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settlement conference are not to be used in discovery and will not be admissible at trial.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated:

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Statements Inadmissible

June 25, 2018

/s/ Sheila K. Oberto
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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