Unpublished Disposition, 867 F.2d 612 (9th Cir. 1989)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Anderson appeals pro se the district court's dismissal of his Title VII employment discrimination complaint against the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). We affirm.

The district court properly dismissed Anderson's Title VII claim. Anderson failed to name or notify the proper defendant, the director of the DLA, within the period of time allowed by statute. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16(c). The district court correctly determined that Anderson could not amend his complaint to name the director of the DLA after the statutory period had expired. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(c) permits an amendment changing parties to relate back to the date of the original pleading only when the substituted party has received actual notice before the statutory period has run. Schiavone v. Fortune, 477 U.S. 21, 30 (1986). Because Anderson failed to notify the director of the DLA of the institution of his action within the statutory period, rule 15(c) does not apply and Anderson cannot amend his complaint. Cooper v. United States Postal Serv., 740 F.2d 714, 716-17 (9th Cir. 1984). We need not reach whether the district court failed to rule on Anderson's motion for appointment of counsel because any error would be harmless since he moved for counsel after it was too late to correct the deficiencies in his pleading. See 28 U.S.C. § 2111.

AFFIRMED.