On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm speaks with retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner about settlement of civil cases in federal court, and in particular, the magistrate judge’s role in facilitating settlement discussions. They also discuss several strategies judges can utilize to more effectively manage settlement of their cases, such as maintaining a calendar, holding everyone accountable to deadlines, memorializing agreements that are made between parties, and ensuring that key decision makers are always part of settlement discussions. ABOUT THE HOST

Judge Paul W. Grimm (ret.) is the David F. Levi Professor of the

Practice of Law and Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law

School. From December 2012 until his retirement in December 2022, he

served as a district judge of the United States District Court for the

District of Maryland, with chambers in Greenbelt, Maryland. Click here

to read his full bio.