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

PEGGY A. LEEN, Magistrate Judge.

Defendant National Security Technologies, LLC ("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. Should the Court require, the carrier representative can be available by telephone.

This request for exception is based on the fact that although Defendant is insured with AIG, Defendant has a substantial, six-figure self-insured retention and any resolution of this matter at the ENE will be funded by Defendant. In addition, the representative for AIG is located out of state and would be required to incur significant time and expense to travel to the ENE when the settlement value of this case is well within the amount of Defendant's self-insured retention. 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.

Based on the foregoing, Defendant respectfully requests Defendant's carrier be excused from in person attendance at the ENE currently scheduled for December 19, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. Should the Court require, the carrier representative will be available telephonically.

IT IS SO ORDERED.