Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-00442/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-00442-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity Action

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ORDER GRANTING JOINT MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE RELATED CASE

Case No. 3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BRITTANY SEBASTIAN and 

ASHLEY LYNNE POPOWITZ, 

individually, on behalf of themselves 

and others similarly situated,

Plaintiffs,

vs.

KIMBERLY-CLARK 

CORPORATION; KIMBERLYCLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.; and 

KIMBERLY-CLARK GLOBAL 

SALES, LLC,

Defendants.

Case No.: 3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA

ORDER GRANTING JOINT 

MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE

RELATED CASE

Honorable William Q. Hayes

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ORDER GRANTING JOINT MOTION TO CONSOLIDATE RELATED CASE

Case No. 3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA

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NASREEN HARIS, individually, on 

behalf of themselves and others 

similarly situated,

 Plaintiff,

 vs.

KIMBERLY-CLARK 

CORPORATION; KIMBERLYCLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.; and 

KIMBERLY-CLARK GLOBAL 

SALES, LLC,

 Defendants.

Case No.: 3:18-CV-00046-WQH-JMA

BEFORE THE COURT is the parties’ Joint Motion to Consolidate Related Case 

(3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA, ECF No. 25). This matter was submitted without oral 

argument. The Court has reviewed the record and files herein, and is fully informed. 

BACKGROUND

On March 29, 2017, Plaintiffs Brittany Sebastian and Ashley Lynne Popowitz filed 

their First Amended Complaint in case number 3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA. ECF No. 

8. 

On December 8, 2017, a related action, Haris v. Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., 

et al., Case No. 4:17-CV-07016-KAW, was filed in the Northern District of California. 

See 4:17-CV-07016-KAW, ECF No. 1.

On January 4, 2018, Haris v. Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., et al., Case No. 

4:17-CV-07016-KAW was transferred to this Court after it was deemed related to 

Sebastian v. Kimberly-Clark Corporation, et al., Case No. 3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA. 

See 4:17-CV-07016-KAW, ECF No. 6.

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On January 8, 2018, Haris v. Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., et al. was assigned 

Case No. 3:18-CV-0046 and transferred to Judge William Q. Hayes pursuant to the LowNumber Rule. See 3:18-CV-0046-WQH-JMA, ECF Nos. 7-9.

On February 20, 2018, the parties jointly moved the Court to consolidate the cases. 

See 3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA, ECF No. 25. 

DISCUSSION

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(a) governs consolidation, and states, “[i]f 

actions before the court involve a common question of law or fact, the court may: (1) 

join for hearing or trial any or all matters at issue in the actions; (2) consolidate the 

actions; or (3) issue any other orders to avoid unnecessary cost or delay.” Fed. R. Civ. 

P. 42(a). “The district court has broad discretion under this rule to consolidate cases 

pending in the same district.” Investors Research Co. v. U.S. Dist. Court for Cent. 

Dist. of California, 877 F.2d 777, 777 (9th Cir. 1989). In determining whether to 

consolidate cases, the court should “weigh the interest of judicial convenience against 

the potential for delay, confusion and prejudice.” Zhu v. UCBH Holdings, Inc., 682 F. 

Supp. 2d 1049, 1052 (N.D. Cal. 2010); see also Huene v. United States, 743 F.2d 703, 

704 on reh’g, 753 F.2d 1081 (9th Cir. 1984).

The Court determines that consolidation of the Sebastian and Haris cases is 

appropriate. The cases involve the same questions of law and fact and consolidation 

will reduce delay and confusion without prejudicing the parties. Consolidation of the 

cases will allow the Court to hear all dispositive motions in conjunction, expediting 

their resolution. Finally, consolidation will not prejudice the parties as both matters are 

in similar procedural postures, involve the same factual allegations, present no 

conflicts of interest, and because resolution of the cases together will ensure 

consistency in the findings and conclusions of the Court.

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ACCORDINGLY, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED

1. The Joint Motion to Consolidate (3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA, ECF No.

25) is GRANTED.

2. The cases Sebastian, et al. v. Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, et al., 3:17-CV00442-WQH-JMA, and Haris v. Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., et al.,

3:18-CV-00046-WQH-JMA, are CONSOLIDATED as 3:17-CV-00442-

WQH-JMA. No further filings shall be made in 3:18-CV-00046-WQHJMA, which file shall be administratively closed. All pleadings therein 

maintain their legal relevance. Any further pleadings received by the Clerk 

of Court for case number 3:18-CV-00046-WQH-JMA shall be filed in this 

consolidated case, case number: 3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA.

3. Plaintiffs shall file the Consolidated Class Action Complaint, attached

as Exhibit A to the Joint Motion to Consolidate Related Case, on the 

docket in 3:17-CV-00442-WQH-JMA within ten (10) days of the date 

this Order is entered. 

Dated: February 22, 2018

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