A pre-trial conference is a meeting where the attorneys meet with the judge assigned to the case to iron out any details connected to the trial preparation and to ensure that such issues will not delay the trial date. Issues can be regarding the evidence or the discovery process and recommendations can be made to the attorneys. Additionally, the issues connected to the case are outlined and timeframes for legal and procedural matters are set.  Usually the parties filing the suit are not allowed to be a part of the conference, because it is mostly a procedural step to ensure the case is ready to move forward.