Appellate Practice Attorney serving New York, NY
You didn't ask this, but I'll volunteer it anyway. It takes two sides (at least) to settle. The only incentive a defendant has to settle a case like this is the fear of the legal fees and possible judgment of a trial. Often, serious settlement negotiations won't take place until a firm trial date is set, many times not until jury selection begins. Plaintiffs, therefore, always push to bring the case to trial as fast as possible. This in no way precludes settlement; it facilitates it.
Answered on May 31st, 2016 at 10:00 AM