Ramirez et al v. National Cart Co. Inc. et al

Filing 59

ORDER : Due to a change in the court's calendar, the settlement conference is RESCHEDULED to 8/30/2017 at 1:00 PM in Chambers Room 262, 450 Main St., Hartford, CT before Judge Donna F. Martinez. Please see the attached order for important instructions and deadlines. (Constantine, A.)

Download PDF
CALENDAR AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ORDER A settlement conference with the undersigned has been scheduled in this case for August 30, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in her chambers, U.S. District Court, Room 262, 450 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut. Those in attendance at the conference should be prepared to spend the remainder of the day at the settlement conference. I. PARTIES WITH FULL AUTHORITY MUST ATTEND. hereby ORDERED to be present at the conference. The parties are If a party is a legal entity, not an individual, a representative of the party who is fully authorized to decide all matters pertaining to the case shall be present at the conference. The court will not hold a settlement conference without all parties present. A party may not participate by phone without express, advance approval by the court. In cases where a party requires authority from an insurer to settle the case, the party shall ensure that an insurance company representative with full authority to settle the case is present at the conference. For a plaintiff, "full authority" means final authority to dismiss the case with prejudice, and to accept in settlement an amount or terms down to the defendant's last offer. For a defendant, "full authority" means final authority to commit a defendant to pay, in the representative's own discretion, a settlement amount up to the plaintiff's prayer or the plaintiff's last demand, whichever is lower. The purpose of this requirement is to have in attendance a person with both the authority and independence to settle the case during the settlement conference without consulting anyone not present. The requirement that parties personally appear is intended to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the settlement conference. Requests to excuse attendance are rarely granted. Failure of a party with full authority to settle the case to attend the conference may result in the imposition of sanctions. See Nick v. Morgan's Foods, 99 F. Supp. 2d 1056, 1062-63 (E.D. Mo. 2000). advise their respective clients Counsel are ordered to and insurance company Not later than 14 days representatives of the Nick decision. before the conference, counsel shall disclose to all other parties a list of all those who will be attending the conference, including their job titles. II. EXCHANGE OF OFFERS AND DEMANDS. Settlement conferences are often unproductive unless the parties have exchanged offers and demands before the conference and made a serious effort to settle the case on their own. Therefore, not less than 14 days before the conference, the plaintiff's counsel shall serve a settlement demand upon counsel for the defendant. The demand shall be accompanied by the plaintiff's analysis of damages and include a summary of any outstanding liens. If the defendant disagrees with the plaintiff's calculation of damages, the defendant's counsel shall respond to the plaintiff's analysis not later than 9 days before the conference. The defendant is encouraged to make a settlement offer 2 prior to the settlement conference. III. CONFERENCE MEMORANDA. Not later than 7 days prior to the conference counsel shall submit to chambers of the undersigned an ex parte, confidential conference memorandum. The memorandum shall be double spaced in no less than 12 point font and shall not exceed 10 pages. It shall include the following: (A) a list of the claims and defenses; (B) the legal elements of the claims and defenses; (C) the evidence in support of the claims and defenses; (D) a damages analysis; (E) a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the case; (F) the status of the case, including the discovery remaining and substantive motions filed or contemplated; (G) a summary of any insurance coverage, including whether the terms of the policy exclude any parties or claims; (H) a summary of any outstanding liens, including the lien amount, the lienholder, and any expected compromises of the lien; (I) settlement negotiations to date; (J) a discussion of the parties’ incentives and impediments to settlement; and (K) a list of all those who will attend the conference, including job titles if pertinent to the case. Prior to submission of the ex parte memorandum, counsel shall disclose to opposing counsel a list of all those who will be attending the conference. The plaintiff's counsel shall attach a copy of the complaint to the plaintiff's ex parte memorandum. Counsel may submit their ex parte memoranda to chambers by any of the following methods: email to Law Clerk Amy Constantine at 3 amy_constantine@ctd.uscourts.gov; fax to (860) 240-3614; or mail to Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building, United States Courthouse, 450 Main Street – Suite 262, Hartford, CT 06103. IV. REQUESTS PERTAINING TO THE CONFERENCE. Any requests pertaining to the conference shall be made to the chambers of the undersigned in writing, or by telephone confirmed in writing, no later than 10 days from the date of this order. Any counsel requesting continuances, which will be considered only for good cause shown, shall consult with all opposing counsel before making the request and, in the event of a continuance, shall notify all parties of the new date and time. V. DUE DATES REMAIN IN PLACE. Counsel are reminded that the scheduling of a settlement conference does not affect existing deadlines and shall not delay discovery or other due dates. SO ORDERED this 5th day of July, 2017 at Hartford, Connecticut. _____/s/______________________ Donna F. Martinez United States Magistrate Judge 4

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?