Estate of Jimmy Ray Hatfield et al v. County of Lake et al

Filing 64

ORDER Granting re 59 Letter filed by Tyler Paulsen, Rodd Joseph, Timothy Hobbs, Travis Lenz, Allan McClain, City of Clearlake, Lauren Vance. Parties appearing by phone shall contact Courtroom Deputy, Brenda Tolbert at 415-522-4708 and provide a local or toll-free number at at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge MARIA-ELENA JAMES on 3/5/12. (bjtS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/5/2012) Modified on 3/5/2012 (bjtS, COURT STAFF).

February 28, 2012

Hon. Maria-Elena James
Chief Magistrate Judge
U.S. District Court/Northern District
Courtroom B, 15th Floor
450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Re:

Estate of Jimmy Ray Hatfield, et al. vs County of Lake, et al.
USDC Case No. 4:11-cv-02396 PJH

Dear Judge James:
The undersigned represents defendants City of Clearlake, former Chief Allan McClain, Sgt.
Timothy Hobbs, Sgt. Rodd Joseph, Officer Lauren Vance, Officer Tyler Paulsen and Officer Travis Lenz
in the above-referenced matter. This case is currently set for an early settlement conference on March 9,
2012.
This letter is to request permission for the individual defendants—Chief McClain, Sgt. Hobbs, Sgt.
Joseph, Officer Vance, Officer Paulsen and Officer Lenz—to attend the settlement conference by telephone
standby. With the exception of Chief McClain, who is now retired, the individual defendants are officers
of the Clearlake Police Department, a small municipal department that may not be able to provide full
staffing and back-up to for the purpose of public safety if four of its officers are in San Francisco for the
settlement conference. In addition, the depositions of Chief McClain, Officer Vance and Officer Lenz have
not been taken in this matter.
I will attend the settlement conference in person, along with a representative from the City of
Clearlake. The representative will have the full authority to settle the matter on behalf of the individual
defendants, and fully able to participate in the settlement conference. This request is also made for the
convenience of the Court with respect to the number of persons attending the conference.

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Hon. Marie-Elena James
February 28, 2012
Page 2

Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
LOW, BALL & LYNCH
/s/
Dale L. Allen, Jr.
DLA/mkm
cc:

All counsel via ECF

[PROPOSED] ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defendants Chief McClain, Sgt. Hobbs, Sgt. Joseph, Officer
Vance, Officer Lenz and Officer Paulsen may attend the March 9, 2012 settlement conference by
telephone standby.
3-2-12
Dated: ____________________.
________________________________
HON. MARIA-ELENA JAMES
U.S. CHIEF MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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