Opinion
21-CV-3216 (LJL) (JLC)
08-25-2021
FAIR HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER, Plaintiff, v. ODYSSEY HOUSE, INC., et al., Defendants.
ORDER
JAMES L. COTT, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
By Order of Reference dated August 25, 2021 (Dkt. No. 25), Judge Liman referred this case to me for settlement. 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. Currently, the earliest dates the Court is available for the conference are October 5th, 6th, or 7th.
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.