Local Rule 7016-1: Early Conference of Counsel
Bankr. S.D. Cal. — Civil rule
7016-1. Early Conference of Counsel.
(a) Time of Early Conference. In all Actions governed by Part VII of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure unless all defendants' default:
(1) Plaintiff must serve, with the summons and complaint, a notice that compliance with this rule is required and a copy of Local Form CSD 3018.
(2) Plaintiff must file the Proof of Service of the LBR 7016-1(a)(1) notice, together with the Proof of Service of the summons and complaint, within the time provided by LBR 9006-2.
(3) Counsel for the parties must confer in person, by email, or by telephone within 30 days after the date all defendants have appeared or defaulted or 45 days from the date of the first appearance of any defendant, whichever occurs first. Where there are multiple defendants, plaintiff must take all reasonable steps to schedule the meeting or conference call so that all parties can attend. Where necessary, in multi-defendant cases and upon a showing of good cause, the Court may grant an application for an extension of time within which to hold the Early Conference.
(b) Purpose of Conference. At the Early Conference required by this Local Bankruptcy Rule, the parties must:
(1) Civil Rule 26 Exchanges. Exchange all documents and make all disclosures required by FRBP 7026(a)(1) or fix a date to make such exchange.
(2) Discovery. Discuss a deadline to complete discovery and any agreements with respect to discovery.
(3) Settlement. Discuss settlement possibilities, including the parties' willingness to go to mediation. If mediation is agreed upon, the parties must designate the first choice and alternate choice of mediator, using the Court-maintained mediator list or other mutually acceptable mediator. A list of mediators is available from the Clerk or on the Court's website, www.casb.uscourts.gov.
(4) Exception from Pretrial Order. Determine whether the Action should be excluded from any or all of the requirements of LBR 7016-6.
(c) Certificate of Compliance with Early Conference of Counsel. All counsel and unrepresented parties must complete and jointly sign Local Form CSD 3018. No later than 7 days after the Early Conference, plaintiff's counsel must file and serve the completed Local Form CSD 3018 on all parties.