Finch et al v. Owners Insurance Company et al
Filing
109
ORDER Setting Mediation for May 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Confidential Mediation statements due by 5:00 p.m. on May 9, 2019. Signed by Chief Judge J. Randal Hall on 05/02/2019. (jlh)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
STATESBORO DIVISION
CARRIE FINCH,Individually and as
Executor of the Estate of Juvay Finch,
Plaintiff,
CV 616-169
V.
OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY,
Defendant.
ORDER SETTING MEDIATION
By request of the parties, the Court hereby schedules a mediation before the Honorable
Michele J. Kim, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, on Mav 14. 2019. at 11:00 a.m.. in the United States
District Courthouse, 52 North Main Street, Statesboro, Georgia. Personal appearance by the
parties is required to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the mediation by reducing the
time for communication of offers and expanding the ability to explore options for settlement. A
party representative with full settlement authority shall appear in person. If any party is insured
for the claims at issue, a representative of the insurer with full settlement authority shall also
appear in person.
Mediation conferences are often unproductive unless the parties have exchanged
demands and offers before the conference and have made a serious effort to settle the case on
their own. Before arriving at the mediation, the parties are to negotiate and make a good faith
effort to settle the case without involvement of the Court. Specific proposals and counter
proposals shall be made.
Each party may submit, in confidence, a concise statement of the evidence the party
expects to produce at trial to Judge Kim via email to Leigh_Morris@gas.uscourts.gov by 5:00
p.m., on Mav 9. 2019. The statements should include analysis of the strengths and weaknesses
of the case and outline the settlement negotiations to date. The statement is not to exceed ten
typed pages, double-spaced.
The mediation will be conducted in such a manner as to not prejudice any party in the
event settlement is not reached. To that end, all matters communicated to Judge Kim in
confidence will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to any other party. The parties
agree, by participating in the settlement conference, that any statements made or presented
during the conference are confidential and may not be used as evidence in any subsequent
administrative or judicial proceedings. However, Judge Kim will share the results of mediation
with the presiding District Judge, including in the event of an unsuccessful mediation the last
offers of the parties, the resulting gap mediation could not bridge, and Judge Kim's assessment
of whether additional mediation efforts may be successful.
The parties, through counsel, should be prepared to begin the mediation with a brief
presentation outlining the factual and legal highlights of the case. Separate, confidential
caucuses will then be held with each party. Attached is an outline for counsel to review with the
parties prior to the mediation to ma^the best use ofthe limited time allotted.
SO ORDERED this^^^oay of May,2019,at Augusta, Georgia.
J. RAlfJDAt^LL,efilEF JUDGE
UNITffi^^TES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE PREPARATION
Experience shows that in negotiations the party who is best prepared usually obtains the best
result. Settlement conferences are more efficient if all parties and counsel are prepared.
Consider the following points, some of which may not apply, to aid in the effectiveness of your
settlement conference.
A.
FORMAT
1.
Parties with ultimate settlement authority must be personally present. If this is not
possible, you must notify the judge in advance and discuss the alternatives.
2.
The Court will use a mediation format, and private caucusing with each side; the
judge may address your client directly. The judge will not meet with parties
separate from counsel.
B.
ISSUES
1.
What issues (in and outside of this lawsuit) need to be resolved? What are the
strengths and weaknesses ofeach issue? What is your most persuasive argument?
2.
What remedies are available resulting from this litigation? From a settlement?
3.
Is there any ancillary litigation pending or planned which affects case value?
What about liens?
4.
Do you have enough information to value the case? If not, how are you going to
get more information before the conference?
5.
Do attorney's fees or other expenses affect settlement? Have you communicated
this to the other side?
6.
C.
Is Defendant and/or its carrier solvent?
AUTHORITY
1.
Are there outstanding liens? Have you verified amounts and whether they are
negotiable? Do we need to include a representative of the lien holder? If so,
contact the judge and a notice ofthe settlement conference will be sent.
2.
Is there valid insurance coverage? In what amount? If coverage is at issue,
or the amount/type affects settlement value, have you notified the other side? Do
we need to include the representative from more than one company/carrier?
D.
NEGOTIATIONS
1.
Where did your last discussion end?
2.
Discuss settlement with the opposing parties before the mediation to make it
proceed more efficiently. At least one offer and response is required.
3.
What value do you want to start with? Why? Have you discussed this with your
client?
4.
What value do you want to end with? Why? Have you discussed this with your
client? It is significantly different from values you have placed on this case at
other times? Does your client understand why?
5.
Is there confidential information which affects case value?
Why
can't/won't/shouldn't it be disclosed? How can the other side be persuaded to
change value if it doesn't have this information?
6.
What happens if you don't settle the case at the conference? What is your best
alternative to a negotiated settlement? Why? What might change the outcome of
the settlement conference? Pending motions, discovery, expert's report, etc.
E.
CLOSING
1.
Have you discussed settlement formats with your client? Does the client
understand structured settlements, annuities. Rule 68 offers ofjudgment?
2.
How soon could checks/closing documents be received?
3.
If settlement is not reached, and further discovery is needed, what is your plan for
continuing settlement discussions? Do you want the Court involved in these
talks?
4.
If settlement is not reached, be prepared to discuss it again at the pretrial
conference.
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