(PC) Harris v. Singer et al

Filing 32

ORDER SETTING Telephonic Pre-Settlement Conference and Settlement Conference Procedures signed by Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on 6/2/2021. Telephonic Pre-Settlement Conference set for 8/25/2021 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom 7 (SKO) before Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto. (Sant Agata, S)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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EMMETT JAMES HARRIS,

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Plaintiff,

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v.

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METTS,

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Case No. 1:20-cv-01521-NONE-EPG (PC)
ORDER SETTING TELEPHONIC PRESETTLEMENT CONFERENCE AND
SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE
PROCEDURES

Defendant.

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This matter is set for a settlement conference before the undersigned on August 31, 2021,

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at 10:00 a.m. (Doc. 31.) The Court herein sets a telephonic pre-settlement conference and

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conference-related procedures.

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Accordingly, the Court ORDERS:

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1. The Court SETS a telephonic pre-settlement conference for August 25, 2021, at 1:30

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p.m. before the undersigned to discuss whether the settlement conference will be

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productive. Defense counsel shall arrange for Plaintiff’s participation. The parties

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shall dial 1-888-557-8511 and enter access code 6208204# for the telephonic

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conference.

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2. The settlement conference on August 31, 2021, will be conducted over Zoom.

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Defense counsel shall arrange for Plaintiff’s participation. Prior to the conference,

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defense counsel shall contact the undersigned’s courtroom deputy at

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[e-mail] for the Zoom videoconference connection

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information. The Court will issue a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum to allow

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for Plaintiff’s participation, as appropriate.

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3. Each party or a representative with full authority to negotiate and enter into a binding

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settlement agreement shall participate in the conference. The failure of any counsel,

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party, or authorized person subject to this order to participate in the conference may

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result in the imposition of sanctions.

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4. Consideration of settlement is a serious matter that requires thorough preparation prior
to the settlement conference. Participants in the conference must be prepared to
discuss the claims, defenses, and damages.
5. The parties shall engage in informal settlement negotiations as follows:

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No later than July 19, 2021, Plaintiff shall submit to Defendants, by mail, a written

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itemization of damages and a meaningful settlement demand, including a brief

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explanation of why such settlement is appropriate, which should not exceed 5 pages.

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No later than August 2, 2021, Defendants shall respond, by mail or telephone, with an
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acceptance of Plaintiff’s offer or a meaningful counteroffer, including a brief

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explanation of why such settlement is appropriate.
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If settlement is achieved, the parties shall file a Notice of Settlement as required by
Local Rule 160.
6. If settlement is not achieved informally, the parties shall submit confidential

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settlement conference statements no later than August 16, 2021. Defendants shall

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email their statement to [e-mail]. Plaintiff shall mail his

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statement, clearly captioned “Confidential Settlement Conference Statement,” to

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United States District Court, Attn: Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto, 2500 Tulare

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Street, Room 1501, Fresno, CA 93721.

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Once the parties have submitted their statements, they shall file a “Notice of

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Submission of Confidential Settlement Conference Statement” with the court. The
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confidential settlement conference statements themselves should not be filed with the

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court nor served on the opposing party.

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7. The confidential settlement conference statements should be no longer than 5 pages in

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length and include:

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a. A brief summary of the facts of the case;

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b. A brief summary of the claims and defenses of the case, i.e., the statutory,

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constitutional, or other grounds upon which the claims are founded;

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c. A forthright discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the case and an

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evaluation of the likelihood of prevailing on the claims or defenses, from the

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party’s perspective, and a description of the major issues in dispute;

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d. An estimate of the party’s expected costs and time to be expended for further

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discovery, pretrial matters, and trial;

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e. A summary of past settlement discussions, including the informal settlement

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negotiations required above; a statement of the party’s current position on

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settlement, including the amount the party would offer and accept to settle (in

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specific dollar amounts); and a statement of the party’s expectations for settlement

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discussions;

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f. A list of the individuals who will be attending the conference on the party’s behalf,

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including names and, if appropriate, titles; and,

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g. If a party intends to discuss the settlement of any other actions or claims not raised

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in this suit, a brief description of each action or claim, including case number(s), as

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applicable.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:

June 2, 2021

/s/

Sheila K. Oberto

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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