Court Conferences, Participants at

(a) At least one attorney for each of the parties shall be present to represent the interests of the party at the initial case management conference. (b) Lead counsel for each party shall be present to represent the interests of the party at the final pretrial conference. Each party or a person with full settlement authority for the party shall attend the final pretrial conference, unless otherwise approved by the court. Upon approval of the court the party or person with full settlement authority may be available by telephone.

Parties may be required to participate at any conference at the discretion of the court. If settlement requires approval of a committee of an insurance carrier, all of the members of such committee, or a majority thereof, if such majority is empowered to act, shall be reasonably available by telephone. Counsel must notify the person, or committee with settlement authority, of the requirements of this rule, as well as the dates of each conference and trial.