Raymond L. Rodriguez

For the Richmond Settlement Conference Part, counsel must bring hard copies of liability and damages materials, including photographs, reports, medical records, expert materials, and diagnostic tests.

Each attorney attending the settlement conference must bring hard copies of all documents relevant to the issues of liability including, but not limited to photographs of the defect; damage to motor vehicles; police report; MV 104; expert witness report and synopsis of depositions as well as all documents relevant to the issue of damages.

The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof.

1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE

The confidential settlement worksheet must be emailed at least five days before the conference.

The completed work sheet shall be e-mailed to Court Attorney Referee Annette Scarano and Principal Court Attorney Andrew Poznanski at least five (5) days BEFORE the scheduled conference date.

Richmond County bifurcates personal-injury trials, except medical-malpractice matters or cases otherwise ordered by the court, and ordinarily uses the same jury for liability and damages.

All personal injury matters except medical malpractice and any matter otherwise ordered by the Court, shall be bifurcated. The same jury will sit for the liability and damages portion of the case, if possible.

Richmond County requires White's method during jury selection.

White’s method shall be employed by all parties during jury selection.

After discovery certification and the pretrial process, Richmond County may send a case to immediate jury selection and trial if settlement negotiations are not conducted expeditiously in good faith.

The court has the discretion to send the case for immediate jury selection and trial; and will do so if settlement negotiations are not expeditiously conducted in good faith.

New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.

Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtained