Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_19-cv-00714/USCOURTS-casd-3_19-cv-00714-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 448
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights - Education
Cause of Action: 28:1441dea Removal - Disabilities Education Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SHILOH ANGEL BENTACOURT,

Plaintiff,

vs.

CALIFORNIA WESTERN SCHOOL OF 

LAW, et al.,

Defendants.

CASE NO. 19cv714-LAB (MDD)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 

DISMISS [Dkt. 19]

Until July of this year, Plaintiff Shiloh Bentacourt was represented in this 

discrimination action by her retained counsel, Maria Hinayon. On July 15, 2019, the Court 

granted Ms. Hinayon’s to withdraw as counsel and instructed Ms. Bentacourt to file a 

motion for substitution within 60 days, indicating whether she would represent herself or 

have new counsel to represent her in this action. Instead, Ms. Bentacourt now moves 

pro se to dismiss this case without prejudice while she secures representation. 

Because Defendants have filed responsive pleadings, a court order is required to 

unilaterally dismiss the case. See Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 41(a)(2). But “a district court should 

grant a motion for voluntary dismissal under Rule 41(a)(2) unless a defendant can show 

that it will suffer some plain legal prejudice as a result.” Smith v. Lenches, 263 F.3d 972, 

975 (9th Cir. 2001). There’s no legal prejudice here. Although Defendant Susan Finster 

has a currently pending motion to dismiss that she may want resolved on the merits prior 

to dismissal, she may renew that motion if Ms. Bentacourt elects to re-file. 

Case 3:19-cv-00714-LAB-BGS Document 20 Filed 08/22/19 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 2
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Ms. Bentacourt’s Motion to Voluntarily Dismiss is GRANTED, and this action is 

DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Dkt. 19. Ms. Finster’s Motion to Dismiss is 

DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE AS MOOT. Dkt. 6. The clerk is directed to close the 

case. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 22, 2019

HONORABLE LARRY ALAN BURNS

Chief United States District Judge

Case 3:19-cv-00714-LAB-BGS Document 20 Filed 08/22/19 PageID.<pageID> Page 2 of 2