Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00205/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00205-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STANLEY V. WELLS,

Plaintiff,

v.

LIMA,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:22-cv-00205-KES-CDB (PC)

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S 

THIRD MOTION TO MODIFY THE 

DISCOVERY AND SCHEDULING 

ORDER NUNC PRO TUNC

(Doc. 39) 

Stanley V. Wells is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil 

rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

I. BACKGROUND

The Court issued its Discovery and Scheduling Order on December 7, 2023. (Doc. 33.) 

Originally, the deadline for the filing of a dispositive motion was set for October 18, 2024. (Id.) 

On October 18, 2024, Defendant moved to modify the scheduling order. (Doc. 36.) On 

October 21, 2024, the Court issued its Order Granting Defendant’s Motion to Modify Nunc Pro 

Tunc the Discovery and Scheduling Order, extending the deadline for filing a dispositive motion 

from October 18, 2024, to December 17, 2024. (Doc. 37.) 

On December 13, 2024, Defendant sought an additional extension of the relevant 

deadline. (Doc. 37.) The Court issued its Order Granting Defendant’s Second Motion to Modify 

the Discovery and Scheduling Order on December 16, 2024. (Doc. 38.) The dispositive motion 

Case 1:22-cv-00205-KES-CDB Document 40 Filed 01/17/25 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

filing deadline was extended from December 17, 2024, to January 16, 2025. (Id. at 2-3.) 

On January 16, 2025, Defendant Lima filed a third motion to modify the scheduling order. 

(Doc. 39.) The motion is supported by a memorandum of points and authorities (see Doc. 39-1 at 

1-3) and the Declaration of Patricia M. Kealy (id. at 4-5). 

II. DISCUSSION

Pursuant to Rule 16(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a scheduling order “may 

be modified only for good cause and with the judge's consent.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4). This 

good cause standard “primarily considers the diligence of the party seeking the amendment.” 

Johnson v. Mammoth Recreations, Inc., 975 F.2d 604, 609 (9th Cir. 1992). The court may modify 

the scheduling order “if it cannot reasonably be met despite the diligence of the party seeking the 

extension.” Id. If the party was not diligent, the inquiry should end. Id.

Here, Defendant contends good cause exists to grant the motion to modify the current 

dispositive motion filing deadline by seven days. (Doc. 39-1 at 2.) Defendant intends to submit a 

declaration from Lieutenant Herleman in support of his motion for summary judgment; however, 

due to unforeseen circumstances defense counsel learned on the date of the deadline for doing so 

that Herleman cannot sign and return the declaration until Monday, January 20, 2025. (Id. at 2.) 

Specifically, defense counsel declares she has worked with Herleman throughout December to 

draft and finalize his declaration. (Id. at 4, ¶¶ 5-7.) Last week, Herleman indicated to counsel he 

would review the exhibits to his declaration and sign the declaration on January 15, 2025, when 

he returned to work. (Id., ¶ 7.) On the morning of January 16, 2025, defense counsel learned

Herleman “unexpectedly needed to take two days off of work,” and would be unable to return his 

declaration until Monday, January 20, 2025. (Id., ¶ 8.) Defense counsel intends to file the 

summary judgment “as soon as this signed declaration is received,” but requests a seven-day 

extension to avoid any “additional unforeseeable delays.” (Id., ¶ 10.) 

III. CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Accordingly, and for good cause shown, the Court ORDERS that:

1. Defendant’s motion to modify the scheduling order (Doc. 39) is GRANTED; and

//

Case 1:22-cv-00205-KES-CDB Document 40 Filed 01/17/25 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3

2. The Discovery and Scheduling Order is MODIFIED nunc pro tunc to extend the 

deadline for filing a dispositive motion from January 16, 2025, to January 23, 2025. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 17, 2025 ___________________ _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:22-cv-00205-KES-CDB Document 40 Filed 01/17/25 Page 3 of 3