The court views facilitation as a valuable part of the litigation process and encourages counsel to consider voluntary settlement conferences when and where appropriate. The court is willing to serve as a facilitator upon the parties’ request and/or order of reference. Facilitated settlement conferences are usually set for Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the court will devote the entire day for the conference. Counsel are advised that their schedules and those of their clients are to be cleared for the entire day. Trial counsel and all persons with ultimate and final settlement authority must be present. The court sends a Notice with detailed information regarding attendance and other matters. A brief settlement summary is to be filed no later than 5 days in advance of the scheduled settlement conference. Scheduling and all other contact regarding Settlement Conferences is handled by Lisa Bartlett, Courtroom Deputy.