STIPULATION AND ORDER STAYING EXPERT WITNESS DISCLOSURES AND DISCOVERY PENDING RESOLUTION OF SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS; REFERALL TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE CLAIRE FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE.

TROY L. NUNLEY, District Judge.

STIPULATION

WHEREAS, the parties have completed fact discovery in the instant action.

WHEREAS, the parties have initiated settlement discussions. In order to avoid the potentially settlement-prohibitive cost of conducting expert witness discovery, the parties hereby stipulate and respectfully request that the Court vacate all pending dates in the instant matter and refer this matter to Magistrate Judge Allison Claire for a settlement conference at Judge Claire's earliest convenience. Should the matter not be resolved at settlement conference, the parties request the court set new dates, including opening expert witness designations and reports due 30 days from the date the settlement conference takes place, and closing expert witness discovery 6 weeks after it opens.

IT IS SO STIPULATED.

ORDER

GOOD CAUSE APPEARING, to facilitate the settlement of the instant action, the Court hereby grants the parties' stipulation to stay expert witness discovery and vacates all pending deadlines in the instant matter.

The Court hereby refers this matter to Magistrate Judge Allison Claire for a settlement conference at Judge Claire's earliest convenience. The parties are instructed Judge Claire's chambers to obtain a date for a settlement conference.

In the event the settlement conference does not resolve the instant action, expert discovery shall commence and expert reports shall be exchanged within 30 days from the date of the settlement conference. Expert discovery shall close 6 weeks after it opens.

The court shall set pre-trial and trial dates should the matter not be resolved at the settlement conference.

IT IS SO ORDERED.