Summary
considering the merits of a motion despite counsel's failure to comply with Local Rule 7–3
Summary of this case from Carmax Auto Superstores California LLC v. HernandezOpinion
Case No. CV 12-07690 DDP (AGRx)
08-27-2013
ROBIN G. BRODIE, Plaintiff, v. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, TERRI HOPSON, Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION
FOR LEAVE TO AMEND
[Docket No. 24]
I. Background
On September 7, 2013, Plaintiff Robin G. Brodie ("Plaintiff") sued the Board of Trustees of the California State University ("CSU") and Terri Hopson. (See generally Compl., Docket No. 1.) On December 7, 2012, this Court dismissed CSU as a party. (Docket No. 18.) On February 25, 2013, this Court issued a scheduling order that stated July 15, 2013 was the "last day to join other parties and to amend the pleadings." (Docket No. 23 at 2.) On July 15, 2013, Plaintiff filed her Motion for Leave to File Amended Complaint ("Motion"). (Docket No. 24.)
II. Legal Standard
After a scheduling order has been entered, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16, it can be modified only for "good cause." Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4). "Rule 16(b)'s 'good cause' standard primarily considers the diligence of the party seeking the amendment." Johnson v. Mammoth Recreations, Inc., 975 F.2d 604, 609 (9th Cir. 1992). "The district court may modify the pretrial schedule if it cannot reasonably be met despite the diligence of the party seeking the extension." Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). "Although the existence or degree of prejudice to the party opposing the modification might supply additional reasons to deny a motion, the focus of the inquiry is upon the moving party's reasons for seeking modification." Id.
III. Analysis
Defendants argue that Plaintiff's Motion should be denied because she failed to meet and confer before filing this Motion pursuant to Local Rule 7-3 and because she has not shown good cause. The Court disagrees.
Local Rule 7-3 states: "[C]ounsel contemplating the filing of any motion shall first contact opposing counsel to discuss thoroughly, preferably in person, the substance of the contemplated motion and any potential resolution. The conference shall take place at least seven (7) days prior to the filing of the motion." However, CSU does not argue that Plaintiff's violation of Rule 7-3 caused it prejudice. Because CSU "suffered no real prejudice . . . the court elects to consider the motion on the merits." Reed v. Sandstone Properties, L.P., No. CV 12-05021 MMM VBKX, 2013 WL 1344912 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 2, 2013).
Regarding the merits of Plaintiff's Motion, she has shown good cause to amend the scheduling order. Plaintiff's counsel's declaration indicates that he did not timely file this Motion because he is the primary caregiver of a family member who has faced various serious health issues for the last several months. (See generally Hagan Decl.) Courts have found good cause when long-term, serious health conditions impede a lawyer's ability to timely file a motion. See Armitage v. Apex Control Sys., Inc., No. 2:08-CV-45-WTL-WGH, 2010 WL 4318846 (S.D. Ind. Oct. 26, 2010). The result should be no different when the lawyer is the primary caregiver to an ill loved one, instead of ill himself. Although the Court's leniency should not be taken as an open invitation by Plaintiff to neglect deadlines, the Court notes that the current scheduling order was filed at the onset of counsel's family member's condition, when he was less likely to know the amount of time he would need to allocate to caregiving in the long-term. The Court will expect promptness in the future.
Finally, CSU argues that granting the Motion would cause it prejudice. However, prejudice to CSU is not of primary importance to the Court's decision under a Rule 16 analysis. See Johnson, 975 F.2d 609. Regardless, prejudice is generally seen as minimal if the party opposing leave has sufficient time for discovery. See Polo v. Shwiff, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60928, at *15-16. Here, discovery remains open, and Plaintiff's reply brief indicates that she would not oppose extending discovery for CSU. (See Hagan Decl. ¶ 28.)
Reopening discovery, by contrast, may be prejudicial. See Coleman v. Quaker Oats Co., 232 F.3d 1271, 1295 (9th Cir. 2000).
IV. Conclusion
For the reasons stated herein, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's Motion. The Court notes that this Order only addresses good cause, not whether Plaintiff's new Complaint will survive a motion to dismiss. Accordingly, the Court need not reach Plaintiff's tolling and administrative exhaustion arguments. IT IS SO ORDERED.
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DEAN D. PREGERSON
United States District Judge