Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-02209/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-02209-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JACQUELINE WILLIAMS, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

JOSEPH TOBENER LAW CENTER, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 16-cv-02209-SK 

ORDER REGARDING PLAINTIFF’S 

AMENDED COMPLAINT

Regarding Docket No. 12

On June 6, 2016, the Court granted the application to proceed in forma pauperis filed by 

Plaintiff Jacqueline Williams (“Plaintiff”), who is proceeding pro se. However, the Court 

dismissed the action without prejudice based on Plaintiff’s failure to plead sufficient facts to state 

a federal claim. Plaintiff filed an amended complaint on July 7, 2016. Although her allegations 

are still difficult to decipher, it appears as though, read liberally, that Plaintiff pleads sufficient

facts to state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, which prohibits racial discrimination through both 

state and private action. See Evans v. McKay, 869 F.2d 1341, 1344 (9th Cir. 1989 (quoting 42 

U.S.C. § 1981(b)). To state a claim under Section 1981, a plaintiff must identify an impaired 

contractual relation, by showing that intentional racial discrimination prevented the creation of a 

contractual relationship or impaired an existing contractual relationship. Domino’s Pizza, Inc. v. 

McDonald, 546 U.S. 470, 476 (2006). It appears as though Plaintiff alleges that Defendants 

breached a retainer agreement by failing to pay Plaintiff all of the money owed to her pursuant to 

that agreement. Plaintiff also alleges that Defendants’ conduct in breaching the agreement was 

racially motivated.

Accordingly, the Clerk of Court shall issue the summons. Furthermore, the U.S. Marshal 

Case 4:16-cv-02209-SBA Document 13 Filed 07/13/16 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

for the Northern District of California shall serve, without prepayment of fees, a copy of the 

complaint, any amendments or attachments, Plaintiff's affidavit and this order upon Defendants.

The Court FURTHER ORDERS that the initial case management conference is RESET for 

October 12, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. Accordingly, the last day to: (1) meet and confer regarding initial 

disclosures, early settlement, ADR selection, and the discovery plan; (2) file an ADR Certification 

signed by the parties and counsel; and (3) file either a stipulation to an ADR process or a notice of 

a need for an ADR phone conference is September 21, 2016. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(f); N.D. 

ADR L.R. 3-5; N.D. Civ. L.R. 16-8. The last day to file a Rule 26(f) Report, complete initial 

disclosures, and file a case management statement is October 5, 2016.

The Court again advises Plaintiff that the district court has produced a guide for pro se 

litigants called Representing Yourself in Federal Court: A Handbook for Pro Se Litigants, which 

provides instructions on how to proceed at every stage of your case, including discovery, motions, 

and trial. It is available electronically online (http://cand.uscourts.gov/prosehandbook) or in hard 

copy free of charge from the Clerk’s Office. The Court further advises Plaintiff that she also may 

wish to seek assistance from the Legal Help Center. Plaintiff may call the Legal Help Center at 

415-782-8982 or sign up on the 15th Floor of the San Francisco Courthouse, Room 2796, or on 

the 4th Floor of the Oakland Courthouse, Room 470S, for a free appointment with an attorney 

who may be able to provide basic legal help, but not legal representation. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 13, 2016

______________________________________

SALLIE KIM

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 4:16-cv-02209-SBA Document 13 Filed 07/13/16 Page 2 of 2