ORDER

KENDALL J. NEWMAN, Magistrate Judge.

This matter was set for a status conference on February 2, 2012.1 Plaintiff, who is an attorney, has requested that the status conference be continued sixty (60) days because plaintiff will be traveling out of the country and unable to attend the conference as originally scheduled, and defendant has stipulated to the continuance. (Dkt. No. 12.) The parties represent that such a continuance would also give them time to engage in settlement discussions. (Id.)

This case has been pending for nearly one year, and to date, no scheduling conference has been held. (Compl., Dkt. No. 1 (filed January 30, 2011).) While the undersigned grants the parties' stipulated request for a continuance at this time, the undersigned will not look favorably upon future requests to continue the status (pretrial scheduling) conference absent exceptional circumstances.

Accordingly, plaintiff's request for a continuance is granted and the status conference currently set for February 2, 2012, is rescheduled. The undersigned shall conduct a status (pretrial scheduling) conference in this matter on April 5, 2012.

For the reasons stated above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The status (pretrial scheduling) conference currently set for February 2, 2012, is rescheduled.

2. The undersigned shall conduct a status (pretrial scheduling) conference in this matter on April 5, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., in Courtroom 25. All parties shall file status reports in accordance with Eastern District Local Rule 240(b), preferably a joint status report, at least 14 days in advance of the status (pretrial scheduling) conference. Failure to do so may result in the imposition of sanctions.

IT IS SO ORDERED.