Thompson Development, LLP et al v. Secura Insurance

Filing 42

ORDER authorizing remote/virtual appearance at settlement conference by defendant's claim representative. By Magistrate Judge Charles S. Miller, Jr. (BG)

Case 1:21-cv-00189-CRH Document 42 Filed 09/16/22 Page 1 of 2

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA
Thompson Development, LLP, a North
Dakota Limited Liability Partnership,
Richard L Thompson and Donna M.
Thompson,
Plaintiffs,
vs.
Secura Insurance, a Wisconsin domiciled
mutual insurance company,
Defendant.

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ORDER

Case No. 1:21-cv-189

The court has scheduled a settlement conference with parties on September 26, 2022, at 9:00
AM CDT in Bismarck, North Dakota (courtroom #2). (Doc. Nos. 37, 40). Plaintiffs, defendant’s
representative with the necessary settlement authority, and the parties’ respective counsel are
presently required to appear in person. (Id.).
On September 16, 2022, defendant wrote to the court to: (1) advise that a recent diagnosis
of COVID-19 will preclude its representative with settlement authority from traveling to North
Dakota and appearing in person at the settlement conference as presently scheduled; and (2) request
that its representative be allowed to appear remotely. (Doc. No. 41).
There being no apparent objection from plaintiffs and to ensure that the settlement
conference can proceed as scheduled, the court shall authorize defendant’s representative to appear
remotely, with the understanding that the representative will actively participate in all group and
individual settlement discussions and will otherwise be available/accessible at any and all times on
September 26, 2022. Instructions on how to facilitate the representative’s remote appearance shall

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Case 1:21-cv-00189-CRH Document 42 Filed 09/16/22 Page 2 of 2

be provided to defendant by separate email.
Although defendant’s representative may appear and participate remotely, the court shall
continue to require that defense counsel appear in person for the settlement conference.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 16th day of September, 2022.
/s/ Charles S. Miller, Jr.
Charles S. Miller, Jr. Magistrate Judge
United States District Court

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