Breedlove v. Figueroa

          JEREMY D. PETERSON JUDGE.

          ORDER (1) SETTING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE, (2) REQUIRING PERSONAL ATTENDANCE BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS, (3) REQUIRING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE STATEMENT, AND (4) SETTING PRE-SETTLEMENT TELEPHONE CONFERENCE

          BARBARA A. McAULIFFE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE.

         Plaintiff Kyree Breedlove (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner appearing pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Defendant Figueroa has answered the complaint. (ECF No. 17.) Because it takes years to get to trial, the Court has identified this case as an appropriate case for post-screening ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), which is an effort to resolve such cases more expeditiously and less expensively. No claims, defenses, or objections shall be waived by the parties' participation. In appropriate cases, defense counsel from the California State Attorney General's Office has agreed to participate in these early settlements.

         As set forth in the e-service order, Plaintiff has stated cognizable civil rights claims. However, stating cognizable claims does not mean that Plaintiff will prevail at trial. Thus, the Court stays this action for a period of time to allow the parties to investigate Plaintiff's claims, meet and confer, and then participate in a settlement conference.

         The court has identified this case as appropriate for post-screening alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”). Accordingly, Magistrate Judge Jeremy D. Peterson will hold a settlement conference on February 4, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 6 at the U.S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, California, 93721. The court stays this action for a period of 60 days to allow the parties to investigate Plaintiff's claims, meet and confer, and then participate in the settlement conference. The court will issue the necessary transportation order in due course.

         The court expects that the parties will proceed with the settlement conference in good faith and will attempt to resolve some portion or all of the case.^[1] If any party believes that the settlement conference will not be productive, a written notice to opt out must be filed within twenty-one (21) days of the date of the issuance of this order.

         In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

         1. This action is STAYED for 60 days to allow the parties an opportunity to settle their dispute before the discovery process begins. Except as provided herein or by subsequent court order, no other pleadings or other documents may be filed in this case during the stay of this action. The parties shall not engage in formal discovery, but may engage in informal discovery to prepare for the settlement conference.

         2. This case is set for a settlement conference before Magistrate Judge Jeremy D. Peterson on February 4, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., Courtroom 6 at the United States Courthouse located at 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, California.

         3. A representative with full and unlimited authority to negotiate and enter into a binding settlement shall attend in person.

         4. Those in attendance must be prepared to discuss the claims, defenses and damages. The failure or refusal of any counsel, party or authorized person subject to this order to appear in person may result in the cancellation of the conference and the imposition of sanctions. The manner and timing of Plaintiff's transportation to and from the conference is within the discretion of CDCR.

         5. Defendants shall provide a confidential settlement statement to the following email address: jdporders@caed.uscourts.gov. Plaintiff shall mail his confidential settlement statement to U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 575, Yosemite, CA 95389, and mark the envelope “Confidential Settlement Statement”. Settlement statements shall arrive no later than January 28, 2020. Settlement statements should neither be filed on the docket nor served on any other party. While brevity is appreciated, each statement must include:

a. A brief recitation of the facts;

b. A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the case, from your party's perspective, and a description of the ...