Vidal et al v. Verizon Pension Plan for Associates et al, No. 2:2022cv00274 - Document 137 (D. Nev. 2024)
Court Description: ORDER granting 136 Unopposed Motion TO EXTEND DISCOVERY DEADLINES (FOURTH REQUEST). Discovery due by 8/26/2024. Motions due by 9/25/2024. Proposed Joint Pretrial Order due by 10/25/2024. Signed by Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler on 3/6/2024. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - CAH)
Download PDF
<![CDATA[
Vidal et al v. Verizon Pension Plan for Associates et al 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Doc. 137 IKENNA ODUNZE, ESQ. Nevada Bar No. 9885 ODUNZE & SWANIGAN ODUNZE PLLC 3651 Lindell Road Suite D #142 Las Vegas Nevada 89103 Telephone No. 702-943-0305 Facsimile No. 702-943-0233 Email: ipo.odunzeswanigalaw@gmail.com Attorneys for Plaintiffs MICHAEL A. VIDAL and ESTATE OF EVA RAMOS (through its Administrator JESSICA CLEMENTE) 10 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 11 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 MICHAEL A. VIDAL, an individual, et al. ) ) Plaintiffs, ) vs. ) ) VERIZON PENSION PLAN FOR ) ASSOCIATES, ((Plan No. 16), an entity under) ERISA)), et al. ) ) Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) CASE NO.: 2:22-cv-00274-ART-BNW UNOPPOSED PLAINTIFFS’ MICHAEL A. VIDAL AND ESTATE OF EVA RAMOS (THROUGH ITS ADMINISTRATOR JESSICA CLEMENTE) UNOPPOSED MOTION TO EXTEND ALL DISCOVERY DEADLINES FED. R. CIV. P. 6(B), LR IA 6-2 & LR 26-3 RELIEF ON ORDER SHORTENING TIME (FIFTH REQUEST) 21 22 COMES NOW Plaintiffs MICHAEL VIDAL and the ESTATE OF EVA RAMOS 23 (through its Administrator JESSICA CLEMENTE) by and through the law office of ODUNZE 24 PLLC and its attorney IKENNA ODUNZE, ESQ. and pursuant to LR IA 6-2, LR 26-3, LR 26-6, 25 26 27 Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 and any other applicable rule (that is favorable to the Plaintiffs) submit this UNOPPOSED motion (“Motion”) for an approximately two month/60-day extension. This is a 28 1 Dockets.Justia.com 1 fifth request of the extension of the aforesaid deadlines (however the only the fourth request 2 came prior to the hearing of motions to dismiss). 3 4 5 This Motion is based upon the papers (including but not limited to the below declaration) and any favorable pleadings on file herein, the attached memorandum of points and authorities, 6 and any argument favorable to the Plaintiffs which the Court may entertain in its review or 7 hearing thereon. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 DATED this 5th day of March 2024. ODUNZE PLLC /s/Ikenna Odunze/ ____ Ikenna Odunze, Esq. ODUNZE & SWANIGAN ODUNZE PLLC 3651 Lindell Road Suite D #142 Las Vegas Nevada 89103 Telephone No. 702-943-0305 Facsimile No. 702-943-0233 Attorneys for Plaintiffs MICHAEL A. VIDAL and ESTATE OF EVA RAMOS (through its Administrator JESSICA CLEMENTE) 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2 1 2 3 4 ATTORNEY IKENNA ODUNZE’S 28 U.S.C. § 1746 MEET AND CONFER CERTIFICATION AND DECLARATION IN SUPPORT OF ORDER SHORTENING I, IKENNA ODUNZE pursuant 28 U.S.C.§1746 declare that: 1. I am above the age of eighteen years, and I am competent to testify and attest to the 5 matters set forth in this declaration and I have personal knowledge of the matters set forth 6 herein, that the same are true (and accurate) to the best of my own knowledge except for 7 those matters therein stated on information and belief, and as for those matters I believe 8 9 them to be true (and accurate). 10 2. My name is Ikenna Odunze. 11 3. I am the attorney of record for the above captioned named Plaintiffs in the above 12 13 14 15 captioned matter, Case No.: 2:22-cv-00274-ART-BNW (hereinafter referred to as the “Case”). 4. I filed the enclosed motion to extend (hereinafter referred to as the “Motion”) all the 16 discovery deadlines by approximately two months or approximately 60-days (or as close 17 60-days as possible). 18 19 20 5. I first requested the Defendants for the referenced extension on February 11, 2024. 6. On February 19, 2024, a meet-and-confer telephone conference (wherein defendants’ 21 counsel and I conferred) was held to discuss extension request and discovery. Attorney 22 Hollihan, Esq. and I participated in the aforesaid meet-and-confer and then Attorney 23 Edward Perrin and I participated in a separate meet-and-confer. 24 25 26 27 28 7. The Defendant attorneys stated that as a matter of professional courtesy the Defendants do not oppose the Plaintiffs’ requested two-month extension. I mentioned that I would include such verbiage within this motion. 8. The Defendants’ counsel mentioned that they would not oppose the extension request 3 1 2 3 4 5 however their preference was that I file motion as opposed to the parties doing an SAO. 9. I (Plaintiffs’ counsel have been undergoing an incredibly painful lower body condition which is being assessed by physicians) that has overlapped with the preceding and ongoing discovery time and makes it difficult to walk, stand, sit, ambulate etc. and is one 6 of the concurrent reasons for the referenced request for extension as the condition makes 7 all matters and task require more time). The condition was unexpected, unanticipated 8 and outside of the parties and plaintiffs’ counsel’s control. 9 10 10. The 21-day cut off for nearest cut-off is today and that is good cause to grant the enclosed 11 motion on order shortening time, amongst the reasons and factors discussed in the 12 motion. 13 11. The enclosed motion is not filed for the purpose of delay. 14 12. The factual statements preceding this declaration are true and accurate. 15 16 17 13. I declare and state under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. 14. I submit the foregoing declaration pursuant to 28 U.S.C.§1746. 18 FURTHER YOUR DECLARANT SAYETH NAUGHT 19 Executed on ___ 03/05/2024 (DATE) 20 _____ ______/s/Ikenna Odunze, Esq._________ Signature IKENNA ODUNZE, ESQ 21 22 23 POINTS AND AUTHORITIES I. INTRODUCTION & PROCEDURAL HISTORY 24 The instant action (hereinafter referred to as the “Action” or the “instant Action”) 25 concerns a multiparty ERISA litigation wherein ERISA 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3) make-whole and 26 27 28 equitable surcharge relief are requested by the Plaintiffs for breaches of fiduciary duty amounting to statutory violations of ERISA that are actionable under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3). 4 1 2 3 4 5 The Action was initiated on February 14, 2022. The initial complaint was amended as of right on February 18, 2022. The Complaint was amended March 8, 2022 (again, hereinafter referred to as “Second Amended Complaint” or “SAC” or “last operative complaint”), See Docket No. 10 through10-6. Seven appearing defendants (hereinafter referred to as the “Verizon 6 Defendants”) filed a motion to dismiss at ECF No. 42 (hereinafter referred to as the “Verizon 7 MTD”) on June 17, 2022 while the another four appearing defendants (hereinafter referred to as 8 the “Conduent Defendants”) filed their own motion to dismiss at ECF No. 44 (hereinafter 9 10 referred to as the “Conduent MTD”) on the same day. The Defendants’ motions to dismiss were 11 opposed by the Plaintiffs. The Plaintiffs also filed motions for leave to amend. Defendant 12 Patricia subsequently appeared in this case at beginning of last year and requested a dismissal on 13 January 31, 2023, which the Plaintiffs filed an oppositions to. A scheduling order was issued on 14 September 13, 2022. See ECF No. 92. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 A previous extension (the first request) of all discovery deadlines was requested by the Plaintiffs around April 6, 2023 and was GRANTED by Court on May 1, 2023. On April 27, 2023 the Plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to amend with an attached proposed third amended complaint (PCOMP) which was GRANTED on May 25, 2023. On May 25, 2023 and May 26, 2023 the Court said the Third Amended Complaint was the operative complaint and should be published on to the docket. 23 On June 8, 2022 the Verizon Defendants answered the Third Amended Complaint. 24 On June 17, 2023 the Third Amended Complaint was published on to the Docket. 25 On June 22, 2025 the Conduent Defendants answered the Third Amended Complaint. 26 27 28 The Court granted an extension in ECF No. 127 and since that date voluminous (thousands of pages) of records have been assessed. 5 1 2 3 4 5 There are 14 named parties in this Case and thousands of pages of records and documents were exchange in preceding months of this year and thousand of pages of records (and documents) have been assessed in discovery period preceding today. On November 2-3, 2023 all parties agreed and stipulated to extending all discovery 6 deadlines by 60-days (two months) and on November 7, 2025 the Court granted the stipulated 7 extension requested in ECF No. 132. On January 4, 2024 the Court granted the Plaintiffs last 8 unopposed motion (ECF No 134) to extend discovery deadlines The Plaintiffs sent email 9 10 correspondence to the Defendants’ counsel requesting an extension, the Defendants indicated 11 that they were fine with a two-month extension (and that as a matter of professional courtesy the 12 Defendants do not oppose the Plaintiffs’ requested two-month extension) but that they preferred 13 the Plaintiffs procure the extension via motion as opposed to SAO. 14 II. LAW, ARGUMENT & LR 26- 15 16 17 As mentioned in ECF No. 125 the records, documents, files and recordings exchangedand-received in matter are voluminous in this matter and despite diligently working through 18 records, documents, recordings etc in preceding discovery time the Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ law firm 19 is relatively small further that last two months have overlapped with the holidays and events 20 outside of the Plaintiffs’ (and Plaintiffs’ counsel’s) control. This Moton is first-and-foremost a 21 request for that discovery be extended by approximately two months or approximately 60-days 22 23 (if a 60-day/two month extension is for some reason not granted/permitted then an alternatively 24 extension as close to 60-days/two months is requested); Attorney Ikenna Odunze, Esq’s above 25 declaration and certification are incorporated by reference (“Odunze Decl.”) as if fully set forth 26 herein. 27 28 II. LR 26-3 (a) A STATEMENT SPECIFYING THE DISCOVERY COMPLETED; 6 1 2 Since the last discovery scheduling order thousands of pages of documents/records have been assessed (many of them complex in nature). 3 4 5 Plaintiffs served the Defendants initial disclosures on July 29, 2022. Plaintiffs were served with initial disclosures on September 30, 2022. The ESTATE OF EVA RAMOS (through 6 its Administrator JESSICA CLEMENTE) on April 6, 2023 propounded and served Fed. R. Civ. 7 P Rule 33 interrogatories on the following defendants PATRICIA; CONDUENT BUSINESS 8 SERVICES, LLC; VERIZON PENSION PLAN FOR ASSOCIATES, (Plan No. 16); and 9 10 VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. The ESTATE OF EVA RAMOS (through its Administrator JESSICA CLEMENTE) on 11 12 April 6, 2023 propounded and served Fed. R. Civ. P Rule 34 request for production on the 13 following defendants PATRICIA; CONDUENT BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC; VERIZON 14 PENSION PLAN FOR ASSOCIATES, (Plan No. 16); and VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 INC. Both Conduent Defendants and Verizon Defendants answered the Plaintiffs above discovery request on May 8, 2023. On May 18, 2023, the Conduent Defendants amended their discovery responses. On April 27, 2023 the Conduent Defendants propounded Interrogatories, Request for Admission and Request for Production on the Plaintiffs to which the Plaintiffs responded to on May 30, 2023 and June 16, 2023. July 2023 Depositions were scheduled for Defendants Kevin Cammarata and Patricia Bryant however are being moved to later dates – the holidays impacted witness availability. In 2024 the Plaintiffs’ counsel has been undergoing an incredibly painful lower body condition which is being assessed by physicians that has overlapped with the preceding and 7 1 ongoing discovery time and makes it difficult to walk, stand, sit, ambulate etc. and is one of the 2 concurrent reasons for the referenced request for extension as the condition makes all matters 3 4 5 and task require more time; the aforesaid condition was unexpected, unanticipated and outside of the parties and plaintiffs’ counsel’s control. The Defendants agreed that they would not oppose this motion and the request for the 6 7 two-month extension. 8 III. 9 10 LR 26-3 (b) A SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCOVERY THAT REMAINS TO BE COMPLETED: Since the last scheduling order multiple thousands of pages documents/records were 11 12 assessed. 13 \ 14 Plaintiffs’ previously sent, and the Plaintiffs have begun preparation of additional written 15 16 The Plaintiffs are working on letters concerning further responses to the discovery the discovery much of will be concentrated on the Defendants’ respective recent June 8, 2023 and 17 June 22, 2023 answers-and-affirmative defenses to the Third Amended Complaint amongst other 18 issues and subject matter. 19 20 21 22 The Defendants’ answers-and-affirmative defenses were filed in June of 2023. Multiple thousands of pages of documents were propounded and the assessment, review and analysis of records, documents recordings, transcripts and other discovery is still ongoing. The Plaintiffs 23 anticipate and plan on propounding additional interrogatories and requests for production on the 24 Defendants and taking the depositions of Patricia Bryant, Kevin Cammarata, Patricia Bryant’ 25 supervisors and Fed. R. Civ. 30(b)(6) persons most knowledgeable from the entity the 26 27 28 Defendants. However, in the Plaintiffs’ view judicial economy and costs make it suggestable to wait until after the Defendants provide further responses to areas the Plaintiffs elaborate they 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 want further responses to on already propounded discovery. Each Defendant served thousands of documents prior to answering the Third Amended Complaint and therefore the Plaintiffs’ side assessment and review is still ongoing. Parties are still assessing if experts will be needed (if any) and Plaintiffs’ are still assessing financing for any such experts. As referenced above, since the last discovery scheduling order thousands of pages of documents/records have been assessed (many of them complex in nature). IV. LR 26-3(c)THE REASONS WHY THE DEADLINE WAS NOT SATISFIED OR THE REMAINING DISCOVERY WAS NOT COMPLETED WITHIN THE TIME LIMITS SET BY THE DISCOVERY PLAN; None of the discovery deadlines have passed/expired. There are 14 named parties in this 14 matter and initial answers were just filed this year. Many of the current discovery dates still fall 15 near to Holidays and/or coincide with unexpected overlapping trial-dates/casework (which the 16 requested extension will help avoid) and each of the parties have each assessed voluminous 17 pages of records (and multiple complex issues) concerning this instant matter in the preceding 18 19 months of 2023 (this case was filed in 2022 and the last motions to dismiss were not heard until 20 May 2023) while also contending with overlapping cases (and trial schedules), also witness 21 availability in overlapping periods was an issue. Additionally unexpected unavoidable 22 overlapping arbitration was filed in an unrelated case. In 2024 the Plaintiffs’ counsel has been 23 24 25 undergoing an incredibly painful lower body condition that is being by assessed by physicians that has overlapped with the preceding and ongoing discovery time and makes it difficult to 26 walk, stand, sit, ambulate etc. and is one of the concurrent reasons for the referenced request for 27 extension as the condition makes all matters and task require more time; the aforesaid condition 28 9 1 was unexpected, unanticipated and outside of the parties and plaintiffs’ counsel’s control.. 2 Considering the foregoing including the numerous upcoming intervening Holidays, witness 3 4 5 unavailability/availability, unanticipated overlapping (or prior) trial conflicts of counsel, travel needs, health/health-needs, unanticipated overlapping trial dates (and preparation), law firm sizes 6 and other issues discussed hereunder (and in emails exchanged between the Stipulating Parties) 7 an additional two month extension is needed and requested to complete discovery and thus 8 necessitated this extension request. 9 10 As stated above the twelve Defendants’ answers-and-affirmative defenses were filed in 11 June 2023 and Defendants provided multiple thousands of pages of records to Plaintiffs in 12 preceding months of this year. The previous period was utilized to assess claims, extensive 13 voluminous records and evidence (and to prepare discovery), and more time is needed for the 14 parties to complete discovery. 15 16 The request and grant of the request is judicially economic. Much of the prior discovery 17 period has been consumed with motion practice and oppositions and the parties anticipate more 18 motion practice may be needed. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The parties and their counsel are spread all over the United States, hence more time is needed to conduct discovery. The amend/add deadline is the nearest discovery deadline and it is on January 24, 2024. The logistics and intervening Holidays and legal commitments make extending discovery necessary. During the discovery period the Plaintiff’s counsel has also been contending with unexpected health issues. Unavoidable unanticipated unexpected legal commitments that have overlapped during 10 1 discovery period have also made extending discovery necessary (inclusive of but not limited to 2 contending with the Defendants’ motions). 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 In general and generally, more time is required to complete/conduct discovery and assess if experts are needed (and to procure and finance experts if any are needed), further the Plaintiffs need more time to fund the rest of discovery. An extension would also ease some scheduling congestion. For all the above reasons and all the reasons set forth in this stipulation-and-order an extension is needed, and remaining discovery has not yet been done. The above reasons and considerations constitute good cause for asking for extension and the granting of the extension. V. LR 26-3(d) A PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETING ALL REMAINING DISCOVERY. 15 The Plaintiffs propose the following dates for the remaining discovery 16 Discovery Cut-off Date - August 26, 2024 18 Date to file a motion to add parties or motion to amend pleadings - May 28, 2024 19 Expert disclosure – June 27, 2024 Rebuttal expert – July 27, 2024 Dispositive motions – September 25, 2024 Pretrial Order – October 25, 2024, however if a dispositive motion is filed on or before this date then no sooner than 30-days from the Court’s decision on the dispositive motion. 17 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 VI. FURTHER LAW AND ARGUMENT The amount of time sought by this extension is two-months/60-dauys (plus any days 11 1 needed to avoid a deadline falling on a weekend). This is a fifth request by motion (but only 2 fourth after the answers were filed) of the extension of the aforesaid deadlines. Fed. R. Civ. P 6, 3 4 5 LR 26-3, LR IA 6-1, LR 26-1 and related local rules enables and permits this Court to grant an extension/enlargement of a date (including the discovery dates) for good cause. See Fed. R. Civ. 6 P 6(b)(1) and LR 25-3; See also Ahanchian v. Xenon Pictures, Inc., 624 F.3d 1253, 1258–60 (9th 7 Cir. 2010); See also Mosely v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court ex rel. County of Clark, 188 P.3d 1136 8 (Nev. 2008); Cal. Trout v. F.E.R.C., 572 F.3d 1003, 1027 n. 1 (9th Cir.2009); PerezDenison v. 9 10 Kaiser Found. Health Plan of the Nw., 868 F. Supp. 2d 1065 (D. Or. 2012); Venegas–Hernandez 11 v. Sonolux Records, 370 F.3d 183, 187 (1st Cir.2004); Thomas v. Brennan, 961 F.2d 612, 619 12 (7th Cir.1992); Lolatchy v. Arthur Murray, Inc., 816 F.2d 951, 954 (4th Cir.1987). 13 14 15 16 Fed. R. Civ. P 6(b), LR 26-3 and LR IA 6-1 (on their faces) employ and mention a “good cause” standard for granting extension/alteration of time and deadlines. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b) and IA LR 6-1(d). Rule 6(b) also allows extension/alteration of times under “excusable neglect” 17 when a moving-party files a motions after a deadline has elapsed/expired. Id. However, in the 18 instant matter the Court need not reach (or apply) the “excusable neglect” standard because this 19 Motion is filed prior to date 21-day cut-off in the Local Rules. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 The Court can grant this Motion and do so in shortened time under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(A), LR 26-3 and LR IA 6-1(d) for good cause. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b) states in relevant part: (b) EXTENDING TIME. (1) In General. When an act may or must be done within a specified time, the court may, for good cause, extend the time: (A) with or without motion or notice if the court acts, or if a request is made, before the original time or its extension expires; or (B) on motion made after the time has expired if the party failed to act because of excusable neglect. 28 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 LR 26-3 states in relevant part: A motion or stipulation to extend any date set by the discovery plan, scheduling order, or other order must, in addition to satisfying the requirements of LR IA 6-1, be supported by a showing of good cause for the extension. A motion or stipulation to extend a deadline set forth in a discovery plan must be received by the court no later than 21 days before the expiration of the subject deadline. A request made within 21 days of the subject deadline must be supported by a showing of good cause. A request made after the expiration of the subject deadline will not be granted unless the movant also demonstrates that the failure to act was the result of excusable neglect. A motion or stipulation to extend a discovery deadline or to reopen discovery must include: 11 As seen in Ahanchian, Mosely and other apposite cases “good cause” concerning the 12 standard can virtually be any reasonable, rational, practical or feasible reason provided by the 13 moving party, with little to no deference for factors used in applying the more stringent standard 14 of “excusable neglect” (i.e. good faith, reasons for not complying or delaying, and level of 15 16 prejudice etc.). See Ahanchian; See also Mosely. In the instant matter most there is good cause 17 and this Motion is made before the expiration of any deadline and made 21 days before the 18 nearest discovery deadline.. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 The Ahanchian Court held: Critically, the record is devoid of any indication either that Ahanchian's counsel acted in bad faith or that an extension of time would prejudice defendants. To the contrary, the record reflects that Ahanchian's counsel acted conscientiously throughout the litigation, promptly seeking extensions of time when necessary and stipulating to defendants' earlier request for an extension of time to file their answer and to the twelve-week extension due to two defendants' late appearances…..Had the district court had any doubts about the veracity or good faith of Ahanchian's counsel, or been worried about prospective prejudice, it could have held an evidentiary hearing or sought more information; instead, without support in the record, it summarily denied Ahanchian's request.” 28 13 1 Ahanchian v. Xenon Pictures, Inc., 624 F.3d 1253, 1258–60 (9th Cir. 2010)(emphasis added). 2 In the instant matter, the Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s counsel have not acted in bad faith in 3 4 5 bringing this Motion, but instead have acted in good faith (and reasonably) as Plaintiffs’ counsel has always first sought a stipulation in emails, telephone calls and meet-and-confer and the 6 Defendants have said they will not oppose this Motion or the request for two month extension. 7 The Plaintiffs sought extensions from the defendants’ counsels of record (like the plaintiff’s 8 counsel in Ahanchian) before filing this Motion. See supra Odunze Decl. 9 10 If the Court deems it proper, reasonable, practical or just the Court can grant—with or 11 without motion or notice”—an extension or if the Court was not inclined to immediately grant a 12 two-month/60-day grant it could hypothetically grant (sua sponte "with or without motion or 13 notice”) using the power under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b) a shorter extension, however a two- 14 month/'60-day extension or alternatively an extension of as close to two-month/60-days to 15 16 complete discovery and extend all deadlines including cut-offs, amending/add parties, experts, 17 rebuttal expert, dispositive motion and all other discovery. The Plaintiffs’ Motion should be 18 GRANTED in its entirety. 19 20 21 22 Although it is only persuasive (state court) not binding precedential authority on federal court, in Mosely Nevada’s Supreme Court expressed “cause shown” in some instances can be interpreted as “good cause”, the Plaintiffs mention the Mosely Court’s decision here to illustrate 23 the breadth/range of the standard for “good cause” as seen by some nearby contemporary courts. 24 The above and below recited facts and circumstances are demonstrative of good cause. 25 26 27 28 Concerning Court rules, the United States Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit (“Ninth Circuit”) held rules are ‘to be liberally construed to effectuate the general purpose of seeing that cases are tried on the merits.’” Ahanchian v. Xenon Pictures, Inc., 624 F.3d 1253, 1258–60 (9th 14 1 Cir. 2010) (citing Rodgers v. Watt, 722 F.2d 456, 459 (9th Cir.1983) (quoting Staren v. American 2 Nat'l Bank & Trust Co. of Chicago, 529 F.2d 1257, 1263 (7th Cir.1976)). 3 4 5 In Ahanchian, the Ninth Circuit further held, “‘Good cause’ is a non-rigorous standard that has been construed broadly across procedural and statutory contexts.” 624 F.3d 1253; See 6 also e.g., Venegas–Hernandez v. Sonolux Records, 370 F.3d 183, 187 (1st Cir.2004); Thomas v. 7 Brennan, 961 F.2d 612, 619 (7th Cir.1992); Lolatchy v. Arthur Murray, Inc., 816 F.2d 951, 954 8 (4th Cir.1987). Although the two cases concern two different court systems (one the federal 9 10 system and the other state system) Ahanchian and Mosely mirror, reflect and reinforcement each 11 others’ underlying sentiment, precedent and propositions concerning liberal grant of extensions 12 and liberal findings of good cause for granting extensions, additionally Scrimer v. Eighth 13 Judicial Dist. Court ex rel. County of Clark, 116 Nev. 507, 998 P.2d 1190 (Nev. , 2000) and 14 Domino v. Gaugha, 103 Nev. 582, 747 P.2d 236 (1937) are additional Nevada Supreme Court 15 16 decisions that mirror and reinforce the precedent and propositions of Ahanchian. In Scrimer the 17 calendaring and scheduling demands/constraints/difficulties of the plaintiff’s counsel where 18 sufficient good cause for granting extension (the Scrimer Court also discusses other variables 19 concerning counsel worth considering that constituted good cause for an extension) 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 More importantly the holding Ahanchian is illustrative, instructive and authoritative of the how Courts in this Circuit gage and adjudge good cause and the variables and metrics utilized and considered by Courts in this Circuit to determine good cause. Even under the more stringent Fed. R. Civ. P 6(b)(1)(B) (which utilizes excusable neglect as a measure and which the Court need not reach) the Plaintiff would still be entitled to twomonth/60-day extension or alternatively to as close to a two-month/60-day extension as possible. 28 15 1 2 3 4 5 Even excusable neglect’s more stringent standard (articulated in Fed. R. Civ. P 6(b)(1)(B))—which is triggered by a moving-party failing to file a motion for extension prior to the expiration of an applicable deadline—still enables enlargements of time for a moving party even when an applicable deadline has been missed, therefore even if that standard applied (which 6 it does not) the Plaintiff would still be entitled to the relief requested in this Motion. See Fed. R. 7 Civ. P 6(b); Mosely v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court ex rel. County of Clark, 188 P.3d 1136 (Nev. 8 2008); See MCI Telecomm.Corp. v. Teleconcepts, Inc., 71 F.3d 1086, 1097 (citing United States 9 10 v. Nuttall, 122 F.R.D. 163, 166-67 (D. Del. 1988). Specifically, Fed. R. Civ. P 6(b) states the 11 Court may enlarge the period “on motion made after the time has expired if the party failed to act 12 because of excusable neglect”. Some general factors considered by courts when deciding an 13 enlargement under the more stringent excusable neglect standard (though the Plaintiff has not 14 been neglectful in this matter) include (1) good faith by the party seeking enlargement, (2) a 15 16 reasonable basis for not complying within the specified time period, (3) the level of prejudice to 17 the nonmoving party. See MCI Telecomm.Corp. v. Teleconcepts, Inc., 71 F.3d 1086, 1097 (citing 18 United States v. Nuttall, 122 F.R.D. 163, 166-67 (D. Del. 1988): See also Oyama v. Sheehan 19 F.3d 253 507(2001); See also Mosely v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court ex rel. County of Clark, 188 20 21 22 P.3d 1136 (Nev. 2008); See Ohlinger v. U.S., 135 F. Supp. 40 (D. Idaho 1955). Considering the extension is sought is a two-month/60-day or alternatively an as close to 23 two-month/60-day extension as possible (or some close shorter period), that Plaintiffs’ counsel 24 asked the defendants’ counsel for extension before filing this Motion (and the Defendant said 25 they would not oppose it), that the Plaintiffs’ counsel has acted as “conscientiously” with respect 26 27 28 to seeking extensions-and-grating extensions as the plaintiff’s counsel in Ahanchian (granting the defendants’ counsel’s requests to extend their time to answer/respond to the SAC, granting 16 1 the defendants’ counsel’s request to move/continue discovery dates [including 26(f) conference, 2 initial disclosure dates and dates for completing scheduling orders]) there’s good faith and good 3 4 5 reasons articulated for extension etc. Respectfully the relief requested in this Motion can be, and should be fully granted under 6 Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(A) and/or LR 26-3 for good cause, nonetheless considering the facts 7 (including but not limited to those in the Odunze Decl.) had the deadlines passed it could have 8 also been granted under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(B), such deadlines have not passed before the 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 filing of this Motion so the relief requested in this Motion should be granted and is properly granted under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(A) and LR 26-3. LR IA 6-1(d) states: Motions to shorten time will be granted only upon an attorney or party’s declaration describing the circumstances claimed to constitute good cause to justify shortening of time. The moving party must advise the courtroom administrator for the assigned judge that a motion for an order shortening time was filed.’ The facts, circumstances, variables and needs discussed in the Odunze Decl. and the 18 facts, circumstances, variables and needs discussed in this Motion show that the Motion should 19 be GRANTED under Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(A), LR 26-3 and a two-month/60-day extension or 20 21 22 23 alternatively as close to a two-month/60-day extension should be granted. The Odunze Decl. and the above provide good cause and good reasons to GRANT this instant motion. This Motion and the relief requested and contemplated by it should be granted under Fed. 24 R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(A), LR 26-3 and any other applicable rule that is favorable to the Plaintiffs. 25 This motion is not filed for the purpose of delay. 26 27 28 VII. CONCLUSION Respectfully, based on the foregoing the motion should be GRANTED. Respectfully, this 17 1 Moton is first-and-foremost and overarchingly a request for the extension for all discovery 2 deadlines to be extended by approximately two-months/60-days (two months) or alternatively to 3 4 5 as close as two-months/60-days as possible, that is the central/primary relief that is foremost requested herein and should be GRANTED. The Motion should be GRANTED in its entirety. 6 The discovery dates should be extended by approximately two-months/60-days or as close to 7 two-months/60-days as possible and the Plaintiffs’ proposed new dates should be adopted. 8 9 10 The Court should grant any other relief that is favorable to the Plaintiff the Court feels is necessary, proper, practical or just (arising in chamber, any hearing, review, pleadings, record or 11 /// 12 /// 13 /// 14 /// 15 16 /// 17 /// 18 /// 19 /// 20 21 22 /// /// 23 /// 24 /// 25 /// 26 27 /// 28 18
]]>
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You
should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
