Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-00369/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-00369-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 430
Nature of Suit: Banks and Banking
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TIFFANY SODANO, et al.,

Plaintiffs, No. 2:12-cv-00369 KJM KJN PS

v.

WASHINGTON MUTUAL

BANK F.A.; et al.

Defendants. ORDER

 /

On November 16, 2012, the undersigned ordered counsel for defendants to

prepare a notice of dismissal of this action without prejudice for both plaintiffs to sign, and to file

the dismissal documents within 14 days. (Order, Dkt. No. 31.) 1

On December 31, 2012, counsel for defendants filed a Notice of Voluntary

Dismissal without prejudice, signed by both plaintiffs. (Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, Dkt. No.

34.) 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(i) provides that “the plaintiff may

dismiss an action without a court order by filing . . . (i) a notice of dismissal before the opposing

 Plaintiffs Tiffany and Jason Sodano (“plaintiffs”) are proceeding without counsel in this 1

action. This action proceeds before the undersigned pursuant to Eastern District of California

Local Rule 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). 

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party serves either an answer or a motion for summary judgment. . . .” Dismissal under this rule

requires no action on the part of the court and divests the court of jurisdiction once the notice of

voluntary dismissal is filed. See, e.g., United States v. Real Property Located at 475 Martin

Lane, Beverly Hills, CA, 545 F.3d 1134, 1145 (9th Cir. 2008). 

Here, because no defendant has yet served an answer or motion for summary

judgment in this case, the voluntary dismissal is governed by Federal Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i), and the

dismissal was effective upon filing and does not require a court order approving it. For clarity,

however, the docket should reflect that this case has been dismissed. The Clerk of Court is

directed to close this case and vacate all future dates.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: January 3, 2013

_____________________________________

KENDALL J. NEWMAN

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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