This quarter’s docket saw cases that highlight the need for clear and unambiguous communication between an attorney and client about settlement authority and the complications of discovery involving metadata and confidential department records from municipalities.

Whether Plaintiff’s Attorney Had Settlement Authority

In Lolonga-Gedeon v. Child and Family Services, No. 08-CV-300, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 117319 (W.D.N.Y. Oct. 11, 2019), Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman held a fact-finding hearing before addressing defendant’s motion to enforce a settlement. He held the hearing to determine whether plaintiff’s attorney, Sanders, had authority to settle with defense counsel, Feinstein.