Free Order Setting Mediation Conferences - District Court of Delaware - Delaware

Case 1:07-cv-00424-GMS

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE LEIGH ANN HARRISON, Plaintiff, v. STATE OF DELAWARE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, Defendant. : : : : : : : : : :

C. A. No. 07-424-GMS

ORDER GOVERNING MEDIATION CONFERENCES AND MEDIATION STATEMENTS THIS ORDER CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ BY COUNSEL PRIOR TO PREPARATION OF A MEDIATION STATEMENT. At Wilmington this 29th day of May, 2008. IT IS ORDERED that: MEDIATION CONFERENCE 1. A mediation conference is scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2008, beginning

at 10:00 a.m. All required participants (see ¶ 2) are to report at this time to Courtroom 2B and are to remain available until excused by the Court. REQUIRED PARTICIPANTS 2. Each party must be represented at the mediation conference by the following

required participants: (a) trial counsel; (b) counsel who is/are familiar with the case; and (c) the party/parties and/or decisionmaker(s) of the parties, who must have full authority to act on behalf of the parties, including the authority to negotiate a resolution of the matter and to respond to developments during the mediation process. In-person attendance at the mediation conference by the required participants described above is required unless

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otherwise authorized by the Court. Any request to modify this requirement shall be made in writing to the Magistrate Judge, with a copy to all counsel or pro se parties, no later than fourteen (14) days before the mediation conference. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR REQUIRED PARTICIPANTS 3. No later than the date on which mediation statements are due (see ¶ 4

below), counsel shall submit in writing, for each attorney who will be attending the mediation conference: (i) a direct dial telephone work number, (ii) a cell or home telephone number, and (iii) an electronic mail address where the attorney can be regularly reached. Unrepresented parties shall provide at least one of these three forms of contact information. CONFIDENTIAL MEDIATION STATEMENTS 4. On or before Tuesday, June 10, 2008, AN ORIGINAL and ONE COPY of

a confidential mediation statement containing all of the information required by ¶ 6 shall be submitted ONLY to the Magistrate Judge. The mediation statements shall not be filed with the Clerk's Office, but shall be delivered to the Clerk's Office in an envelope addressed to U. S. Magistrate Judge Mary Pat Thynge and marked "CONFIDENTIAL MEDIATION STATEMENT." The statements shall not be exchanged among the parties or counsel (unless the parties so desire), shall not be provided to the trial judge, and shall not become part of the record in this matter. Mediation statements shall NOT be electronically filed since they are not part of the Court record. 5. The mediation statements may be in memorandum or letter form. They must

be double-spaced, in no less than a 12-point font, and be no longer than fifteen (15)

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pages. 6. The mediation statements must contain each of the following headings and

must contain a discussion of each of the topics described below: a) "The Parties": provide a description of who the parties are, their

relationship, if any, to each other, and by whom each party is represented, including the identity of all individuals who will be participating on behalf of a party during the mediation conference. b) "Factual Background": provide a brief factual background, clearly

indicating which material facts are not in dispute and which material facts remain in dispute. c) "Summary of Applicable Law": provide a brief summary of the law,

including applicable statutes, cases and standards. Copies of any unreported decisions (including decisions from this jurisdiction) that counsel believes are particularly relevant should be included as exhibits (see ¶ 7). d) "Honest Discussion of Strengths and Weaknesses": provide an

honest discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the party's claims and/or defenses. e) "Settlement Efforts": provide a brief description of prior settlement

negotiations and discussions, including the most recent offers or demands exchanged between the parties and the party's assessment as to why settlement has not been reached. f) "Settlement Proposal": describe the party's proposed term(s) for a

resolution. If the party has any suggestions as to how the Court may be helpful in

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reaching a resolution, such suggestions should also be described. g) "Fees and Costs": list separately each of the following: (i) attorneys'

fees and costs incurred to date; (ii) other fees and costs incurred to date; (iii) good faith estimate of additional attorneys' fees and costs to be incurred if this matter is not settled; and (iv) good faith estimate of additional other fees and costs to be incurred if this matter is not settled. In addition to the required topics described above, and provided that the mediation statement complies with the page limit stated above, counsel are encouraged to address any other matter they believe may be of assistance to the Court. 7. Crucial or pertinent documents may be submitted as exhibits to the mediation

statement. Counsel are cautioned to limit such exhibits. CONFIDENTIALITY 8. The contents of the mediation statements and the mediation conference

discussions, including any resolution or settlement, shall remain confidential, shall not be used in the present litigation nor any other litigation (whether presently pending or filed in the future), and shall not be construed as nor constitute an admission. Breach of this provision shall subject the violator to sanctions. EX PARTE CONTACTS 9. Before, during, and after the scheduled mediation conference, the Court may

find it necessary and useful to communicate with one or more parties outside the presence of the other party or parties.

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REQUEST TO BRING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT 10. Any request to bring electronic equipment (for example, cell phones,

blackberries or laptop computers) for use only during the mediation conference shall be made in writing and shall be submitted no later than the date on which mediation statements are due (see ¶ 4 above). Any such request shall include the name(s) of the individuals, a list of the equipment requested to be authorized, and a representation that counsel believes the presence of the requested equipment will be of assistance in the mediation process and the request is not being made just for convenience. OBLIGATION OF GOOD FAITH PARTICIPATION 11. The required participants shall be available and accessible throughout the

mediation process. The Court expects the parties' full and good faith cooperation with the mediation process. In particular, the Court expects both the lawyers and the party representatives to be fully prepared to participate. The Court encourages all participants to keep an open mind in order to reassess their previous positions and to find creative means for resolving the dispute. AVOIDANCE OF SANCTIONS 12. All counsel are reminded of their obligations to read and comply with

this Order. Delaware counsel are reminded of their obligations to inform out-of-state counsel of this Order. To avoid the imposition of sanctions, counsel shall advise the Court immediately of any problems regarding compliance with this Order.

/s/ Mary Pat Thynge UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 5