Opinion
19-CV-8181 (VSB) (JLC)
08-26-2021
FIDEL MONTALVO CANDIA, et al., Plaintiffs, v. 658-660 AMSTERDAM CORP., et al., Defendants.
ORDER
JAMES L. COTT, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
By Order of Reference dated August 23, 2021 (Dkt. No. 68), Judge Broderick referred this case to me general pretrial supervision, including settlement. The parties indicated in the scheduling order (Dkt. No. 67) that they would like a referral to this Court for settlement discussions. Accordingly, the parties are directed to advise the Court within 30 days when they wish to schedule the settlement conference. The parties should do so by filing a letter-motion on the docket that indicates at least three dates that are mutually convenient for the parties. Alternatively, counsel are free to e-mail my deputy clerk, David Tam, at DavidTam@nysd.uscourts.gov to find a mutually convenient date for the parties and the Court. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, any settlement conference in the foreseeable future will likely be conducted telephonically. Using the Court's conference line system, the Court will begin the settlement conference in joint session with all parties on the line before breaking into private session and speaking to the parties individually, as the technology the Court is using can facilitate breakout sessions with each side.
However, if all parties wish to have the Court provide a video platform (Microsoft Teams or Zoom) and not simply proceed telephonically, they may so advise the Court and the Court will then schedule a conference to discuss logistics. Alternatively, if all parties wish to proceed in person, they may write to the Court requesting an in-person conference. An in-person conference would be permitted only if all participants in the conference (attorneys, clients, and any interpreters) comply with the Court's most recent COVID-19 Protocol (available at https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/covid-19-coronavirus). For avoidance of doubt, all parties must agree to proceeding by video conference or an in-person conference and make a joint application for the method that is preferred.
SO ORDERED.