UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES

A. The United States Magistrate Judges in this district are designated to hear and determine any pretrial matter pending before this court, except a motion for injunctive relief, for judgment on the pleadings, for summary judgment, to dismiss or quash an indictment or information made by a defendant, to suppress evidence in a criminal case, to dismiss or to permit maintenance of a class action, to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, or to dismiss an action involuntarily. B. The United States Magistrate Judges in this district are designated to conduct hearings, including evidentiary hearings, and to submit to a judge of this court proposed findings of fact and recommendations for the disposition by the judge, of any motion excepted in the preceding paragraph and of applications for post-trial relief made by individuals convicted of criminal offenses. C. All civil cases in which the parties have consented pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1) and (2) to have a United States Magistrate Judge exercise jurisdiction are hereby referred to the full-time United States Magistrate Judge stationed at Madison, Wisconsin. This order does not limit the power of this court under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(6) to vacate the reference of civil cases to a magistrate judge.

D. The United States Magistrate Judges in this district are designated to perform any additional duty that is not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States. 5/2018 RULE 3 (LR 16.6 CJ): ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION A. Litigants are to consider the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) within thirty days of defendants' appearance. B. The clerk of court shall administer the ADR program which procedures shall be confidential. Any disclosure of confidential dispute resolution communications is prohibited.

C. This court provides the services of its clerk to act as mediator in civil cases without additional compensation. Prior to the commencement of mediation any party may move to disqualify the mediator for any reason. Litigants are free to engage in other forms of available ADR outside the court which will not require any scheduling change in the trial and pretrial schedules. D. The following cases are exempt from the provisions of this rule: Those in which the plaintiff is proceeding pro se.

1 Collection and United States mortgage foreclosure actions. 2. Social Security appeals. 3.

All matters related to bankruptcy proceedings, with the exception of 4. adversary proceedings. E. The court will not authorize a referral to arbitration under Section 654 of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act unless the parties dismiss the action without prejudice pending the results of the arbitration.