Opinion
2:17-cv-02800-JAD-VCF
07-18-2023
Juanitta Darlynn, Plaintiff, v. Department of the Air Force, et. al., Defendants.
JASON M. FRIERSON United States Attorney District of Nevada Nevada Bar No. 7709 TROY K. FLAKE Assistant United States Attorneys for the United States
JASON M. FRIERSON United States Attorney District of Nevada Nevada Bar No. 7709
TROY K. FLAKE Assistant United States Attorneys for the United States
MOTION FOR EXCEPTION FROM SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT
I. Introduction
This is a personal injury case arising out of an automobile accident. The parties completed discovery in June, 2019. The Court set this matter for a settlement conference in September, 2019. ECF #29. In preparation for the settlement conference, the Court granted the United States request for an exception from the settlement conference attendance requirement and allowed AUSA Troy Flake to be the sole settlement representative for the United States. ECF #34.
However, before the parties were able to participate in the settlement conference, Plaintiff's counsel became seriously ill and she retained new counsel. ECF #38. After many delays resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors, the Court has set a settlement conference for August 8, 2023. ECF #69.
The order scheduling the settlement conference requires a “representative with binding authority to settle this matter up to the full amount of the claim to be present for the duration of the SC.” Id. The United States requests that the undersigned AUSA be allowed to participate in this settlement conference as the representative for the United States.
II. Argument
The United States is unlike any other party because it is “the most frequent litigant in federal court.” United States v. U.S. Dist. Court for N. Mariana Islands, 694 F.3d 1051, 1058, 1059 (9th Cir. 2012), as amended (Oct. 16, 2012). Because the government handles a very large number of cases, it would be impractical, if not physically impossible, for those with settlement authority to prepare for-and appear at-all settlement conferences. Id. at 1059. The Advisory Committee notes to the 1993 amendments to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16 acknowledge the unique position that the federal government occupies as a litigant:
Particularly in litigation in which governmental agencies or large amounts of money are involved, there may be no one with on-the-spot settlement authority, and the most that should be expected is access to a person who would have a major role in submitting a recommendation to the body or board with ultimate decision-making responsibility.Fed. R. Civ. P. 16 advisory committee's note.
The government delegates settlement authority to select individuals to promote centralized decision-making. U.S. Dist. Court for N. Mariana Islands, 694 F.3d at 1059-60. Centralized decision-making promotes three important government objectives. Id. First, it allows the government to act consistently in important cases. Id. Second, centralized decision-making allows the executive branch to pursue policy goals more effectively by placing ultimate authority in the hands of a few officials. Id. Third, by giving authority to high-ranking officials, centralized decision-making better promotes political accountability. Id. In light of these principles, the Ninth Circuit has determined that district courts should adopt a “practical approach” in deciding whether to require a government representative with full settlement authority to attend a pre-trial conference. Id. at 1061 (quotation omitted). Only as a “last resort” should the district court require an official with full settlement authority to participate in a pre-trial conference in person. Id. (quotation omitted). The full amount of the claim in this case is $100,000,000.
The ultimate authority to settle this case rests with officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, and officials within the Department of Justice, depending on the amount involved, and whether the client agency and Department of Justice officials agree with the proposed resolution. 28 C.F.R. § 0.168(a). It is not feasible, however, for these officials to attend this settlement conferences or the many others that are conducted throughout the country. Moreover, AUSAs routinely participate in settlement conferences in this district as the United States' sole settlement representatives. Before the settlement conference, the AUSA discusses the case with the officials with appropriate settlement authority to determine the range of settlement offers the United States would accept. This approach has not hampered settlement discussions or impeded settlement in the hundreds of settlement conferences in which the United States has participated. Hundreds of cases involving the United States have settled over the years using this approach, including cases involving Plaintiff's counsel and the undersigned AUSAs.
Accordingly, the United States requests that the Court allow AUSA Troy Flake to participate in the settlement conference as the sole representatives for the United States. AUSA Flake will brief the appropriate government officials on the case before the settlement conference to ensure the United States' meaningful participation.
Should it be necessary, AUSAs Flake will provide further recommendations to appropriate government officials via telephone during the settlement conference.
IT IS SO ORDERED.