DEFENDANT'S UNOPPOSED REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION FROM ATTENDANCE AT EARLY NEUTRAL EVALUATION

BRENDA WEKSLER, Magistrate Judge.

Defendant PRO-VIGIL, INC. ("Pro-Vigil" or "Defendant"), by and through its counsel Jackson Lewis P.C., respectfully requests an exception to the early neutral evaluation ("ENE") attendance requirements. Specifically, Defendant requests that Defendant's insurance carrier be excused from attending the ENE in person. The carrier representative will be available by telephone.

This request for exception is based on the fact that, although Defendant is insured with Hartford, Defendant has a substantial self-insured retention and any resolution of this matter at the ENE will be funded by Defendant. In addition, the representative for Hartford is located out of state and would be required to incur significant time and expense to travel to the ENE. The insurance representative's absence will not adversely affect the ENE, and those present will have the appropriate settlement authority to reach a reasonable resolution at the ENE. Counsel for Defendant has discussed this request with counsel for Plaintiff, who has indicated that Plaintiff has no objection to this request.

Based on the foregoing, Defendant respectfully requests Defendant's carrier be excused from in person attendance at the ENE currently scheduled for March 19, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. The carrier representative will be available telephonically.

ORDER

IT IS SO ORDERED.