Gonzalez

facts and applicable law. Counsel and the parties must be prepared to engage in a detailed 25 discussion of the merits of their respective cases and engage in good faith settlement 26 27 28 discussions. All discussions during the MSC are informal, off the record, privileged and confidential. Counsel for any non-English speaking party is responsible for arranging for the appearance of an interpreter at the conference. 1. Pursuant to Local Rule 16.3.b., all parties, party representatives, including claims adjusters for insured parties, and the principal attorney(s) responsible for the litigation must participate in the MSC.2 This appearance must be made with full and unlimited authority to negotiate and enter into a binding settlement.3 In the case of a corporate entity, an authorized representative of the corporation who is not retained outside counsel must be present and must have discretionary authority to commit the company to pay an amount up to the amount of the plaintiff’s prayer (excluding punitive damage prayers). The purpose of this requirement is to have representatives present who can settle the case during the…