D.N.M.LR-Civ. 16.2

(a) In every civil case the parties must participate in a settlement conference with a Judge

unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Cases excepted from this rule are listed under

D.N.M.LR-Civ. 16.3.

(b) In every bankruptcy adversary proceeding filed in Bankruptcy Court, the parties must

participate in a settlement conference with members of the bankruptcy facilitation

panel unless otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy Court.

(c) For each party, at least two persons must attend settlement conferences:

• the attorney who will try the case; and

• the party or designated representative with final settlement authority, other than an

attorney of record.

(d) A request to be excused must be made in writing to the Court at least seven (7) days

before the conference or as ordered by the Court.

(e) Evidence of settlement offers made, and of statements made, at the settlement

conference, regardless of whether made in written, oral or graphic form, will be

inadmissible as provided in FED. R. EVID. 408. Statements which are made by any

party to the Judge who is conducting the settlement conference, and which are

identified by that party as confidential, will not be disclosed by the Judge to any other

party. The Judge who is conducting the settlement conference may not reveal to the

trial Judge any information about offers made, or about statements made, by any party

at the settlement conference, other than whether the case was or was not settled.

(f) Within seven (7) days of notice of assignment of a member of the bankruptcy

facilitation panel to facilitate an adversary proceeding in Bankruptcy Court, any party

may move the Court to disqualify the panel member based on the standards set forth in

28 U.S.C. § 455.