Stearn et al v. Catalus Capital ,LLC

Filing 63

ORDER SETTING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: Settlement Conference set for 5/12/2015 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom C201 before Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya. By Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on 4/30/2015. (alowe)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya
Civil Action No. 13BcvB02514BWJMBKMT

LEATHEM STEARN, individually,
UTE MESA LOT 1, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, and
UTE MESA LOT 2, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company,
Plaintiffs/Counterclaim Defendants,
v.
CATALUS CAPITAL, LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company,
Defendant/Counterclaim Plaintiff.

ORDER SETTING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

A settlement conference is hereby scheduled in this case for May 12, 2015 in Courtroom
C-201, Second Floor of the Byron Rogers U.S. Courthouse, 1929 Stout Street, Denver, Colorado.
The conference will begin at 1:30 p.m. and end no later than 5:00 p.m.
Counsel shall have parties present who shall have full authority to negotiate all terms and
demands presented by the case, and full authority to enter into a settlement agreement, including
an adjustor if an insurance company is involved. The presence of an insurance adjustor, however,
does not excuse the attendance of the party represented.
“Full authority” means that the person who attends the settlement conference has the
complete and unfettered capacity and authority to meet or pay all terms or amounts which
are demanded or sought by the other side of the case without consulting with some other
person, committee or agency. If the representative attending the settlement conference can only
receive authority to increase a pre-determined amount of money by making a telephone call to
someone else, the person to whom the phone call is made is the correct participant in the settlement
conference. If any person has limits upon the extent or amount within which he or she is
authorized to settle on behalf of a party, that person does not have “full authority.” This
requirement is not fulfilled by the presence of counsel.
The court will consider awarding attorneys fees and costs against a participant in a

settlement conference who arrives at the conference without full authority as outlined above.
No party or party representative shall be permitted to participate in the settlement
conference by telephone, unless that party has obtained leave of court following the filing of an
appropriate motion no later than five business days prior to the settlement conference date. Such
requests are not favored by the court.
No person is ever required to settle a case on any particular terms or amounts. However,
again, if any person attends the settlement conference without full authority, and the case fails to
settle, that party may be ordered to pay the attorney’s fees and costs for the other side.
In order that productive settlement discussions can be held, counsel shall prepare and
submit two settlement documents: one to be submitted to the other party or parties, and one
Confidential Settlement Statement to be submitted by e-mail only to Magistrate Judge Tafoya.
The documents which are presented to opposing counsel shall contain an overview of the case
from the presenter’s point of view, shall summarize the evidence which support that side’s claims,
and may present a demand or offer. These documents should be intended to persuade the clients
and counsel on the other side.
The Confidential Settlement Statement prepared for and presented to Magistrate Judge
Tafoya should contain the following information:
1.

A summary of the evidence, including:
a.

a numbered list of the known significant disputed issues of fact; and

b.

a numbered list of the known significant disputed legal issues.

2.

A candid assessment of the case from the presenter’s point of view.

3.

Remarks toward any perceived weaknesses in the case.

4.

An accurate and complete history of settlement negotiations, including dates, if
known, and amounts of demands and offers.

5.

A computation of damages, including the theory of calculation and any legal
limitations on damages, and a demand or offer each client will accept or pay in
settlement (including any essential non-economic terms).

6.

Any observations or additional information which would be helpful to Magistrate
Judge Tafoya in assisting the parties to negotiate a settlement.
2

The document is to be emailed to Magistrate Judge Tafoya (not submitted for filing to
the court) at [e-mail], in accordance with the electronic filing
procedures of this court, and shall contain copies of the materials submitted to the other parties.
The settlement documents shall be submitted no later than five business days prior to the date of
the settlement conference.
If the parties’ Confidential Settlement Statement and exhibits are not filed by the deadline
set by the court, the settlement conference will be vacated.
Extensions of the deadline to file Confidential Settlement Statements require a showing of
good cause and should be sought by filing an appropriate motion. Extensions must be sought
before the deadline expires.
Counsel and the parties should plan to remain at the settlement conference for
approximately four hours after it begins. You will not be permitted to leave before that time for
any reason, unless excused by Magistrate Judge Tafoya. Travel arrangements should be made
accordingly.
Please remember that anyone seeking entry into the Byron Rogers United States
Courthouse will be required to show a valid photo identification. See D.C.COLO.LCivR 83.2B.
Dated this 30th day of May, 2015.
BY THE COURT:

_______________________________
Kathleen M. Tafoya
United States Magistrate Judge

3