Knox v. Bissell Companies, Inc.

Filing 55

ORDER sua sponte that the parties shall participate in a Judicial Settlement Conference. ( Settlement Conference set for 12/8/2016 02:00 PM in Courtroom 2-2, 401 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202 before Magistrate Judge David Keesler.) IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall submit confidential settlement briefs as directed herein. Signed by Magistrate Judge David Keesler on 12/5/16. (Pro se litigant served by US Mail.)(mga)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
CHARLOTTE DIVISION
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:14-CV-424-MOC-DSC
DEBORAH KNOX,
Plaintiff,
v.
BISSELL COMPANIES, INC.,
Defendant.

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ORDER

THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE COURT sua sponte regarding the scheduling of a
Judicial Settlement Conference. The Honorable Max O. Cogburn, Jr. has directed that the
undersigned hold a Judicial Settlement Conference in this matter as soon as possible. As such, pro
se Plaintiff, Defendant’s counsel, and a representative of Defendant with full settlement authority,
are required to appear on Thursday, December 8, 2016. See (Document No. 54).
During settlement conferences, the undersigned generally follows the North Carolina
mediation rules. However, the Court believes the unique value of a judicial settlement conference
is in getting a judicial perspective. To that end, the undersigned will share his opinion as to the
strengths and weaknesses of the case, as well as a perspective as to the possible value a North
Carolina jury could place on the case. At the outset of the conference, the undersigned will make
an initial statement, each side will be allowed a brief period of time to summarize its position, and
then the undersigned will meet with each party. After these initial meetings, the undersigned may
meet with all parties or meet with individual parties on an as needed basis.
The scheduled Judicial Settlement Conference will be confidential. Nothing said, done, or
produced during the conference shall constitute an admission of liability or an agreement adverse

to the participating party’s interest. By attending this conference, the parties agree to such
confidentiality as well as to summary enforcement by an appropriate Order of the district court.
Each side shall submit a confidential settlement brief, not longer than three (3) pages,
summarizing recent negotiations and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of your position and
the perceived strengths and weaknesses of your opponent’s position. Please include a statement
of a proposed fair resolution of the matter. The confidential briefs shall be submitted to the
undersigned’s chambers by hand-delivery, email to [e-mail], or by fax
to 704-350-7435 – on or before Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED the parties shall participate in a Judicial Settlement
Conference on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom #2-2 of the Federal
Courthouse, 401 W. Trade Street, Charlotte, North Carolina. .
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall submit confidential settlement briefs
as directed herein.
SO ORDERED.

Signed: December 5, 2016