Opinion
2:21-cv-889-JES-DAB
02-16-2024
JOHN JUDGE, Plaintiff, v. KNAUF GIPS KG, KNAUF PLASTERBOARD TIANJIN CO. LTD. and KNAUF NEW BUILDING SYSTEM TIANJIN CO. LTD., Defendants.
ORDER
KYLE C. DUDEK, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
This case has been set for a settlement conference on February 22, 2024, at 9:00 am, at the United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 2110 First Street, Fourth Floor, Courtroom 4E, Fort Myers, Florida 33901.
The parties and their counsel will comply with the following requirements:
1. Time Commitment: The Court has reserved from 1:00 to 5:00 for the settlement conference.
2. Settlement Authority: All parties will appear for the settlement conference with full and complete settlement authority. Any uninsured entity will appear by a designated representative with full and complete settlement authority. Any insured party will appear along with a representative of the insurer with full and complete settlement authority.
3. Telephonic Appearance: Telephonic appearance at the settlement conference is not permitted without leave of court.
4. Written Submissions: Each party will provide the undersigned with a confidential settlement statement no later than February 20, 2024. The statement will not be filed with the Clerk of Court, but will instead be (1) emailed (in .pdf file format) to the chambers email account: chambers_flmd_dudek@flmd.uscourts.gov or (2) mailed to Judge Kyle Dudek's Chambers at 2110 First St., Fort Myers, Florida 33901.
The confidential settlement statement will:
a. identify all persons, including counsel, who will attend the settlement conference with or on behalf of the party and specify which individual(s) hold final settlement authority;
b. describe the remaining claims and defenses in the case and candidly assess their relative strengths and weaknesses both legally and factually;
c. provide a reasonably detailed explanation of the submitting party's present position on remedies sought or resisted by the party (including damages, attorney's fees, costs and prejudgment interest if recoverable);
d. outline the settlement negotiations to date, including any offers and counteroffers made as to both monetary and non-monetary terms; and
e. explain the party's settlement valuation, accounting for the reasonable probabilities for success at trial, the collectability of any awards, and the litigation expenses that may be avoided.
5. Opening Presentations: At the outset of the settlement conference, the Court may call upon the parties or counsel to give a brief opening presentation outlining the factual and legal highlights of their respective cases before the parties separate into private caucuses.
6. Confidentiality: Notwithstanding Rule 408(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence, all statements during the settlement conference, written or oral, are confidential and shall not be admissible in evidence for any reason in the trial of the case, should the case not settle.
7. Electronic Devices: The attorneys and other individuals participating in the settlement conference may bring telephones, laptops, or tablets into the courthouse for use during the settlement conference, subject to screening by the United States Marshals Service or its Court Security Officers. The parties are directed to present a copy of this Order when proceeding through the security checkpoint in the courthouse lobby.
Sanctions: Failure to comply with any requirements in this Order may result in the imposition of sanctions against the offending party(ies) and/or counsel.
ORDERED.