Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_10-cv-01614/USCOURTS-cand-5_10-cv-01614-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed Question: Fed Communications Act of 1934

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Case No.: 10-CV-01614-LHK 

ORDER EXTENDING TIME TO SERVE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT 

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United States District Court 

For the Northern District of California 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

SAN JOSE DIVISION 

JOE HAND PROMOTIONS, INC.,

 Plaintiff, 

 v. 

THOMAS RICH MCINNIS, et al., 

 Defendants. 

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Case No.: 10-CV-01614-LHK

ORDER EXTENDING TIME TO SERVE 

SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT 

 

Plaintiff filed an ex parte application for an order extending time for an additional 60 days 

to serve the Summons and Complaint upon Defendant Thomas Rich McInnis, individually and 

doing business as Seabreeze Tavern. Having reviewed Plaintiffs’ papers and the relevant legal 

authorities, the Court GRANTS an extension of time to serve the Summons and Complaint on 

Defendant McInnis until September 10, 2010. 

I. BACKGROUND 

 Plaintiff filed the instant action on April 15, 2010. On the same day, this court issued 

summons as to Defendants Thomas Rich McInnis and Sarah Ann Unger. Plaintiff states that it has 

not yet been able to serve Defendant McInnis, despite diligent efforts, but that it recently identified 

Case 5:10-cv-01614-LHK Document 18 Filed 08/25/10 Page 1 of 3
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Case No.: 10-CV-01614-LHK 

ORDER EXTENDING TIME TO SERVE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT 

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United States District Court 

For the Northern District of California 

an alternative address that it believes will be successful. Plaintiff therefore moves ex parte to 

extend the time to serve Defendant McInnis by 60 days. 

II. ANALYSIS 

 The time for serving the summons and complaint is set forth in Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 4(m). Generally, service upon defendants must be made within 120 days after the 

complaint is filed. Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 4(m). However, if the plaintiff shows good cause for failure 

to serve within the 120-day period, the court is required to extend time for service. Id. Under Rule 

4, a court also has discretion to extend the time for service in the absence of good cause. Lemoge 

v. U.S., 587 F.3d 1188, 1198 (9th Cir. 2009). 

 At a minimum, “good cause” means excusable neglect. Boudette v. Barnette, 923 F.2d 754, 

756 (9th Cir. 1991). In order to demonstrate good cause, a plaintiff may be required show three 

factors: “(a) the party to be served received actual notice of the lawsuit; (b) the defendant would 

suffer no prejudice; and (c) plaintiff would be severely prejudiced if his complaint were 

dismissed.” Id.; In re Sheehan, 253 F.3d 507, 512 (9th Cir. 2001). It appears that Defendant 

McInnis received actual notice of the lawsuit when Plaintiff served the Clerk’s Notice of the Case 

Management Conference on August 10, 2010. However, Plaintiff does not explain why it was able 

to serve the Clerk’s Notice but not the Summons and Complaint, nor does Plaintiff give any 

indication of its efforts to serve Defendant or allege any facts suggesting good cause for the delay 

in service. Plaintiff therefore fails to establish good cause. 

 Absent good cause, district courts have broad, though not unlimited, discretion to extend 

time for service. Efaw v. Williams, 473 F.3d 1038, 1041 (9th Cir. 2007). The Ninth Circuit has not 

set forth specific factors to consider in making discretionary determinations under Rule 4(m). In 

re Sheehan, 253 F.3d at 513. “In making extension decisions under Rule 4(m) a district court may 

consider factors ‘like a statute of limitations bar, prejudice to the defendant, actual notice of a 

lawsuit, and eventual service.’” Efaw v. Williams, 473 F.3d 1038, 1041 (9th Cir. 2007) (quoting 

Troxell v. Fedders of N. Am., Inc., 160 F.3d 381, 383 (7th Cir. 1998)). Courts may also consider 

whether the plaintiff has substantially complied with the service requirements. Tyson v. City of 

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Case No.: 10-CV-01614-LHK 

ORDER EXTENDING TIME TO SERVE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT 

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For the Northern District of California 

Sunnyvale, 159 F.R.D. 528, 530 (N.D.Cal. 1995). Here, Plaintiff has not substantially complied 

with the service requirements or alleged that it will face prejudice if an extension is not granted. 

Ordinarily, the Court would deny the request for an extension under these facts. However, because 

Defendant McInnis has actual notice of the lawsuit and has indicated that he will accept service by 

U.S. mail, Letter from Rich McInnis (Aug. 11, 2010), ECF No. 16, the Court will grant a limited 

extension of the time for service. As there is a Case Management Conference set in this case for 

September 17, 2010, and Defendant McInnis has indicated a manner in which he can easily be 

served, the Court will grant an extension until September 10, 2010. 

II. CONCLUSION 

 For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s motion to extend time for serving the summons and 

complaint is granted. Plaintiff is HEREBY ORDERED to properly serve Defendant McInnis no 

later than September 10, 2010, and to file proof of service with the Court no later than September 

16, 2010. 

 The Court shall not grant any further extensions, and if Plaintiff fails to comply with the 

Court's deadline, the claims against Defendant McInnis shall be dismissed. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 25, 2010 _________________________________ 

 LUCY H. KOH 

 United States District Judge 

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