Chavez v. New Mexico Corrections Department

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO

CHRISTOPHER CHAVEZ,

Plaintiff,

v. No. 20-cv-0812 MIS/SMV

ABEL RENTERIA, JOHN DOE 1, CHRISTOPHER TURBOW, CARLOS SAENZ, DANIEL BLANCO, in their individual capacities, ESTEVAN FLORES, in his official capacity, and NEW MEXICO CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT,

Defendants.1

ORDER SETTING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

THIS MATTER is before the Court pursuant to a telephonic status conference held on October 31, 2022. To facilitate a final disposition of this case, a mandatory Settlement Conference will be conducted in accordance with Rule 16(a)(5) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The conference will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. MST via Zoom. All individuals attending the Settlement Conference must familiarize themselves with Zoom prior to the Settlement Conference. The parties or a designated representative, other than counsel of record, with final settlement authority, must attend via Zoom. Counsel who will try the case must also attend via Zoom. Those attending the settlement conference must treat as confidential the information discussed, positions taken, and offers made by other participants in preparation for and during the

1 All claims against Defendant Estevan Flores were dismissed by stipulation on May 24, 2021. [Doc. 73]. All claims against Defendant Daniel Blanco were dismissed by summary judgment on September 9, 2022. [Doc. 150]. All claims against John Doe 1 were dismissed by the District Judge on October 19, 2022. [Doc. 157]. conference.2 See generally Hand v. Walnut Valley Sailing Club, No. 11-3228, 2012 WL 1111137

(10th Cir. Apr. 2, 2012) (unpublished) (affirming dismissal of case as sanction for violating confidentiality of settlement conference). Counsel shall advise their clients regarding appropriate attire for appearance in federal court. No later than 5:00 p.m. on December 1, 2022, each party must provide the Court, in confidence, a concise position statement (typically no more than ten pages) containing an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of its case and the names of the individuals who will be attending the conference and in what capacity. Position statements must be submitted to the Court by e-mail at VidmarChambers@nmd.uscourts.gov.3 No later than 5:00 p.m. on December 1, 2022, each party must provide the Court a list of

the names of the individuals who will be attending the Settlement Conference and in what capacity. This list must include the e-mail addresses and phone numbers for each attorney attending the Settlement Conference. The Court must receive this information in order to (1) send counsel the Meeting ID and Password for the Zoom Settlement Conference, and (2) immediately communicate with counsel during the Settlement Conference should there be technical difficulties with Zoom. This list must be submitted to the Court by e-mail at VidmarChambers@nmd.uscourts.gov.4

2 This does not prohibit disclosures stipulated to by the parties, necessary in proceedings to determine the existence of a binding settlement agreement, or as otherwise required by law. 3 Each e-mail message and its attachments cannot exceed 45 MB. Data exceeding 45 MB should be submitted in individual e-mail messages, each less than 45 MB. 4 Each e-mail message and its attachments cannot exceed 45 MB. Data exceeding 45 MB should be submitted in individual e-mail messages, each less than 45 MB. 2 Furthermore, if any party has in its possession any video or audio recording of the incident upon which this action is based, that party must submit a copy of the recording to the Court no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 1, 2022. The Settlement Conference will not be vacated or rescheduled except upon motion and for good cause shown. Any motion to vacate or reschedule the Settlement Conference shall provide the Court with sufficient notice to ensure that other matters may be scheduled in the time allotted for the Settlement Conference. The Court may contact counsel ex parte prior to the Settlement Conference to discuss the Settlement Conference. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED as follows: Parties’ confidential position statements due to the Court by: 5:00 p.m. on December 1, 2022 Settlement Conference: Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. MST IT IS SO ORDERED.

STEPHAN M. VIDMAR United States Magistrate Judge