Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_18-cv-00464/USCOURTS-cand-4_18-cv-00464-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:12101 Americans w/ Disabilities Act (ADA)

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SCOTT JOHNSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

ABDULNASSER ALSUMAIRI,

Defendant.

Case No. 18-cv-00464-KAW 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

Re: Dkt. No. 73

On January 29, 2019, Plaintiff filed a notice of settlement as to Defendant Abdulnasser 

Alsumairi. (Dkt. No. 52.). On February 4, 2019, the Court ordered Plaintiff to file a dismissal of 

Defendant Alsumairi within 60 days. (Dkt. No. 54.)

Plaintiff did not file the dismissal of Defendant Alsumairi. On May 28, 2019, Plaintiff and 

Defendant Alsumairi filed a joint status report. (Dkt. No. 62.) The parties stated that Defendant 

Alsumairi’s counsel, Attorney Michael Welch, “has not been terribly responsive.” (Id. at 2.) On

May 6, 2019, Attorney Welch informed Plaintiff that Defendant Alsumairi had mailed the 

payment to Attorney Welch’s office, and that Attorney Welch would forward the payment without 

delay. (Id.) As of May 28, 2019, however, Plaintiff had not received the settlement funds. (Id.)

On July 17, 2019, the Court ordered Plaintiff to file a dismissal of the case or a status 

report within 60 days. (Dkt. No. 69.) The Court further stated: “If Attorney Welch has not 

forwarded the settlement payment by then, Attorney Welch shall explain why he has failed to do 

so, and explain why he should not be sanctioned and/or reported to the State Bar.” (Id. at 2.)

On September 13, 2019, Plaintiff filed a unilateral status report, stating that he had still not 

received payment and the settlement had not been consummated. (Dkt. No. 73 at 2.) Plaintiff 

further stated that although Plaintiff’s counsel had called, e-mailed, and attempted to meet and 

Case 4:18-cv-00464-KAW Document 74 Filed 09/17/19 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

confer with Attorney Welch, “each effort was ignored.” Plaintiff attached various e-mails to 

Attorney Welch that he had failed to respond to, including e-mails on August 15, August 21, 

September 12, and September 13. (Seabock Decl., Exh. 1.) The e-mail chain also included emails in which Attorney Welch repeatedly stated that the money would be sent, but then 

apparently failed to do so. (Id.) Plaintiff further attached a September 6, 2019 letter sent to 

Attorney Welch, raising the payment issue. Plaintiff stated that he would likely move to enforce 

the terms of the settlement agreement, or to request that the case be reopened and seek default 

against Defendant Alsumairi.

Attorney Welch has not filed a response, despite the Court’s July 17, 2019 order. 

Significantly, Attorney Welch’s actions appear to be putting his client at risk of additional 

attorney’s fees and costs should the settlement not be completed. Accordingly, the Court 

ORDERS Attorney Welch to show cause why he should not be sanctioned, by September 24, 

2019, by explaining: (1) why he has not provided the settlement payment, and (2) why he has not 

complied with the Court’s order. Failure to comply will result in the imposition of sanctions of 

$1,000, as well as referral to the Northern District of California’s Standing Committee on 

Professional Conduct and the California State Bar. The Court SETS a show cause hearing for 

October 3, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. Attorney Welch shall personally appear.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 17, 2019

__________________________________

KANDIS A. WESTMORE

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 4:18-cv-00464-KAW Document 74 Filed 09/17/19 Page 2 of 2