A pretrial conference—also known as a pretrial hearing or scheduling conference—is an informal meeting or discussion in the early stages of a lawsuit during which the attorneys and the judge work to schedule important deadlines in the lawsuit; identify important witnesses and documents; discuss settlement; and narrow the issues for trial.

The court will usually sign a pretrial order that includes its rulings and the parties' agreements on the matters discussed at the pretrial conference.

The pretrial conference is essentially a project management plan for the litigation. The timing of the pretrial conference and the issues to be addressed are usually included in the state's rules of civil procedure or code of civil procedure—or in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in federal court.

In Pennsylvania, a pretrial conference is a key step in the civil litigation process. It is governed by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, which outline the timing and conduct of these conferences. During a pretrial conference, the judge and attorneys from both sides meet to discuss the case and set a timeline for the proceedings, including deadlines for motions, discovery, and other pretrial matters. The conference aims to streamline the litigation process by identifying key witnesses and documents, discussing potential settlements, and narrowing down the issues that will be addressed at trial. The outcomes of the pretrial conference are typically recorded in a pretrial order, which reflects the court's rulings and any agreements made between the parties. This order serves as a roadmap for the litigation, ensuring that all parties are clear on the next steps and deadlines. The pretrial conference helps to manage the case efficiently and may encourage settlement before the case goes to trial.