Notice | Filed: June 30, 2026
| Entered: June 30, 2026
Watkins v. Chau, et al
Civil Rights: Other | Massachusetts
Notice of ADR Conference
ELECTRONIC NOTICE of ADR Conference.
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Hearing is set for September 16, 2026 at 10:00AM in Courtroom 14 before Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal.
In the event this date poses a serious conflict, or any party believes that the case is not ripe for mediation, please do NOT contact the Courtroom Deputy directly regarding mediation scheduling; instead, the parties are to confer and file on CM/ECF a motion to cancel the mediation or to continue the mediation, as appropriate. In the case of motions to continue the mediation, the parties should include therein several proposed dates for which all counsel and principals are available.
Counsel and principals are directed to be present, in person, and have full settlement authority. Each party must submit a brief (no more than 5 pages) mediation memorandum that includes a discussion of (1) the merits of the case (both strengths and weaknesses); (2) damages or other relief sought by the parties; (3) the status of discovery; and (4) the status of the parties' settlement discussions. The memoranda should be BY E-MAIL to (Aaron_Hutchins@mad.uscourts.gov) no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the mediation and marked "Confidential - Not for Docketing."
Prior to the Mediation hearing, there will be a Preliminary Conference set for September 9, 2026 at 11:30AM by remote proceedings before Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal.
The Preliminary Conference will be conducted by video, the clerk will provide the relative information for this conference to all parties at the email registered in CM/ECF, prior to the upcoming hearing.
If you have technical or compatibility issues with video technology, please notify the session's courtroom deputy as soon as possible.
It shall be understood (a) that all parties and counsel will participate in this court-sponsored mediation in good faith and with the interest of settling the matter on mutually acceptable terms, (b) that the entire mediation process, including all communications during any in-person, video or audio part thereof, is confidential, (c) that all statements made during the course of mediation are privileged settlement discussions, made without prejudice to any party's legal position, and inadmissible for any purpose in any legal proceeding, (d) that no party, participant, or representative shall seek in any proceeding to hereafter compel the mediator to testify and/or produce any document with respect to the mediation, and (e) that all parties, counsel and other participants agree that, by participating in this court-sponsored mediation, they are bound by these conditions and shall keep confidential all communications exchanged during the mediation process.
(AHH)