Pekrins et al v. Angulo et al

Filing 75

ORDER Converting Mandatory Settlement Conference to Video Conference. Signed by Magistrate Judge Linda Lopez on 2/5/2021.(All non-registered users served via U.S. Mail Service)(mme)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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Case No.: 18cv850-DMS-LL

GARY RONNELL PERKINS,
Plaintiff,

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v.

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ORDER CONVERTING
MANDATORY SETTLEMENT
CONFERENCE TO VIDEO
CONFERENCE

C. ANGULO, et al.,
Defendants.

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On March 13, 2020, the Court set a Mandatory Settlement Conference (“MSC”) in

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the above captioned case for February 18, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. ECF No. 37. In light of public

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health concerns and pursuant to Chief Judge Order No. 60, the Court hereby CONVERTS

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the MSC to video conference proceedings hosted through the Zoom platform (applicable

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to Defendants only). As set forth in Court’s March 13, 2020 Order, Plaintiff shall appear

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telephonically and Defendants shall make all necessary arrangements to ensure Plaintiff’s

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timely telephonic participation. Id. at 5.

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1.

To facilitate the video conference format of the MSC for Defendants, the

Court orders the following:

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18cv850-DMS-LL

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a.

The Court will use its official Zoom video conferencing account to hold

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the settlement conference. The Zoom software is available on computers through a

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download on the Zoom website (https://zoom.us/meetings) or on mobile devices through

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the installation of a free app (Zoom Cloud Meetings).1 Joining a Zoom conference does not

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require creating a Zoom account, but it does require downloading the .exe file (if using a

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computer) or the app (if using a mobile device). Participants are encouraged to create an

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account, install Zoom, and familiarize themselves with Zoom in advance of the settlement

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conference.2 There is a cost-free option for creating a Zoom account.

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b.

Prior to the start of the settlement conference, the Court will email each

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participant an invitation to join a Zoom video conference. Participants shall join the video

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conference by following the ZoomGov Meeting hyperlink in the invitation. Participants

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who do not have Zoom already installed on their device when they click on the

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ZoomGov Meeting hyperlink will be prompted to download and install Zoom before

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proceeding. Zoom may then prompt participants to enter the password included in the

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invitation. All participants will be placed in a waiting room until the settlement conference

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begins.

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c.

Each participant should plan to join the Zoom video conference at least

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five minutes before the start of the settlement conference to ensure that the settlement

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conference begins promptly at 1:30 p.m. The Zoom email invitation may indicate an

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earlier start time, but the conference will begin at the Court-scheduled time.

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d.

The Court will begin the settlement conference with all participants

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joined together in a main session. After an initial discussion in the main session, the Court

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will divide participants into separate, confidential sessions, which Zoom calls Breakout

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Participants should use a device with a camera to fully participate in the video conference.
If possible, participants are encouraged to use laptops or desktop computers for the video
conference, as mobile devices may offer inferior performance.
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For help getting started with Zoom, visit: https://support.zoom.us/hc/enus/categories/200101697-Getting-Started .
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18cv850-DMS-LL

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Rooms.3 In a Breakout Room, the Court will be able to communicate privately with

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participants from a single party. Breakout Rooms will also allow parties and counsel to

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communicate confidentially without the Court.

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e.

No later than February 9, 2021, counsel for Defendants shall send a

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participants statement to the Court at [e-mail].4 The statement must

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contain the following:

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i.

The name and title of each participant, including all parties

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and party representatives with full settlement authority, claims

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adjusters for insured parties, and the principal attorney(s)

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responsible for the litigation;

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ii.

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An email address for each participant to receive the Zoom
video conference invitation;

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iii.

A single telephone number where all participants for that

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party may be reached so that if technical difficulties arise, the

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Court will be able to proceed telephonically instead of by video

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conference. Counsel may provide a conference number and

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appropriate call-in information, including an access code, where

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all counsel and parties or party representatives for that side may

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be reached.

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f.

All participants shall display the same level of professionalism during

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the settlement conference and be prepared to devote their full attention to the settlement

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conference as if they were attending in person. Because Zoom may quickly deplete the

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battery of a participant’s device, each participant should ensure that their device is plugged

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in or that a charging cable is readily available during the video conference. Participants

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For more information on what to expect when participating in a Zoom Breakout Room,
visit: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115005769646.
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The participants’ information may be included as part of the confidential ENE statement.
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18cv850-DMS-LL

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should also participate in the conference in a location that allows for privacy and does not

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contain background noise that will disrupt the conference.

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All other deadlines and requirements remain as set. See ECF No. 37.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated: February 5, 2021

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