The court will set all cases for an initial status or scheduling conference within 60 days of the filing of the complaint. At the initial status conference, the parties should be prepared to inform the court of the status of service and report on the possibility of early settlement. A scheduling conference will be usually set at the initial status. [See Proposed Scheduling Order] 

The court recognizes that in some cases, the initial status conference will take place before defendants have filed responsive pleadings. The court, however, expects all defendants who have been served to participate in this process regardless of whether they have yet filed a responsive pleading.

Counsel participating in any manner in the case are required to have filed an appearance (and shall not rely on the appearance of one or more members of the attorney’s law firm) before the date of their appearance in court. See Local Rule 83.16.