Rule 136 - Pretrial Conference(a) Pretrial Conference. A pretrial conference shall be held on a date established by the court. At the pretrial conference, all parties must be prepared and authorized to discuss the following matters: (1) all matters contained in the joint final pretrial statement; (2) the formulation and simplification of the trial issues;(3) the elimination of unsupported claims or defenses;(4) the admission of facts and documents to avoid unnecessary proof;(5) stipulations to the authenticity of documents;(6) requests for advance rulings from the court on (A) the admissibility of evidence; and (B) the disposition of pending motions; (7) the establishment of time limits for presenting evidence and argument;(8) the estimated length of trial; (10) settlement and the use of special procedures to assist in resolving the dispute; and(11) such other matters as may facilitate the just, speedy, and inexpensive disposition of the case. (b) Mandatory Attendance. All unrepresented parties and all lead trial counsel and local counsel for each represented party must attend the pretrial conference in person unless the court authorizes attendance by other means.Adopted June 19, 2014, effective 9/1/2014.