Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00813/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00813-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MICHELLE-LAEL B. NORSWORTHY, 

Plaintiff,

vs.

RALPH DIAZ, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:20-cv-00813-DAD-HBK

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO EXTEND 

TIME TO FILE AMENDED COMPLAINT 

(Doc. No. 39)

Before the court is the parties’ stipulation for plaintiff to file her first amended complaint, 

incorporating motion to extend deadline to file amended complaint and attaching proposed amended 

complaint filed April 29, 2021. (Doc. No. 39). The court’s scheduling order set a December 12, 2020 

deadline to amend the pleadings. (Doc. No. 31 at 2). 

Under Local Rule 144, the parties are required to receive court approval for extending deadlines 

set by the court, and untimely extension requests are disfavored. The Ninth Circuit has held that such 

requests should be evaluated under the good cause standard of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 

16(b)(4). Coleman v. Quaker Oats Co., 232 F.3d 1271, 1294 (9th Cir. 2000). That rule states that “[a]

schedule may be modified only for good cause and with the judge's consent.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4).

The court finds plaintiff has demonstrated good cause. Plaintiff’s counsel represents they began 

discussions with defense counsel in October 2020 regarding filing an amended complaint. (Doc. No. 

29-3 ¶ 2). A pandemic induced lockdown at plaintiff’s prison from Fall 2020 into Winter 2021 thwarted 

plaintiff’s ability to timely amend her complaint because plaintiff’s counsel was unable to digitally 

meet with her until January 7, 2021. (Id. ¶ 4). The finalization of the amended complaint was further 

hindered by setbacks to plaintiff’s mental health. (Id. ¶ 5). Plaintiff represents defendants were 

apprised of these delays, and defense counsel stipulates to the filing of an amended complaint. (Id. ¶¶ 

Case 1:20-cv-00813-KES-HBK Document 40 Filed 05/10/21 Page 1 of 2
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7-10). Because the delays appear beyond plaintiff’s control, the court finds good cause to permit 

plaintiff an extension of time to file her amended complaint. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

1. Plaintiff’s motion to extend deadline to file amended complaint incorporated within the 

parties’ Stipulation (Doc. No. 39) is GRANTED.

2. Plaintiff shall file her First Amended Complaint in the form attached to the Stipulation 

within five (5) days of the date of this Order and serve a copy of the same upon Defendants. 

3. Defendants’ responsive pleadings to the First Amended Complaint is due no later than

twenty-one (21) days after service is effectuated upon Defendant Secretary Allison.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 10, 2021 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:20-cv-00813-KES-HBK Document 40 Filed 05/10/21 Page 2 of 2