Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-2_05-cv-00006/USCOURTS-ared-2_05-cv-00006-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Employment Discrimination

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

HELENA DMSION 

SEWNDRA R SMITH PLAINTIFF 

DOLGENCORP, INC., 

dlbla DOLLAR GENERAL - DEFENDANT 

ORDER GRANTING DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE 

The Comt has reviewed plaintiffs motion for voluntary dismissal without prejudice and 

the subsequent pleadings. Defendant objects to the voluntary dismissal. 

"Motions to dismiss without prejudice are addressed to the sound discretion of the district 

courts." Kern v. TXO Production Corp., 738 F.2d 968,970 (8" Cir. 1984). "The general 

practice of the federal courts is to permit voluntary dismissal, 'unless the defendant will suffer 

some plain legal prejudice other than the mere prospect of a second lawsuit."' St. Paul Fire and 

Marine Ins. Co. v. Casualty Reciprocal Exchange, 118 F.R.D. 480,483 (W.D. Ark. 1987) 

(quoting 9 Charles A. Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure 9 2364 at 165 

(1971)). 

Rule 41(a)(2) gives the court discretion to order the dismissal "upon such terms and 

conditions as the court deems proper." Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(2). The payment to the defendant 

of the expenses and a reasonable attorney f~ may properly be a condition of the dismissal. Kern, 

738 F.2d at 972. 

Defendant argues that Plaintiff's motion should be denied because (1) she has provided 

no explanation for her motion, (2) she has been uncooperative in discovery, (3) Defendant has 

Case 2:05-cv-00006-JMM Document 18 Filed 07/11/05 Page 1 of 2
expended significant resources in defending the action and (4) further delay and the potential of a 

new lawsuit would cause undue emotional ham on the former individual defendants. 

After reviewing the record, the Court finds that PlainWs motion should be granted. 

Although Plaintiff has been less than cooperative in discovery, there is no pending dispositive 

motion before the Court and the Court finds that Defendants have failed to demonstrate prejudice 

beyond the prospect of a new lawsuit. The Court finds and orders that Plaintiff will be required 

to pay costs and attorneys fees associated with the defense of this action should she re-file this 

action. 

Plaintiff's motion for voluntary dismissal without prejudice (Docket # 16) is granted. 

IT IS SO ORDERED this \day of July, 2005. 

United States ~istrict Judge 

Case 2:05-cv-00006-JMM Document 18 Filed 07/11/05 Page 2 of 2