Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00940/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00940-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 15:1681 Fair Credit Reporting Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SCOTT NORDBYE,

Plaintiff,

v.

MOUNTAIN LION ACQUISITIONS INC., et 

al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:19-cv-00940-DAD-SAB

ORDER DISREGARDING STIPULATION 

OF DISMISSAL

(ECF No. 37)

TEN DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff Scott Nordbye filed this action against Defendants Mountain Lion Acquisitions 

Inc. and Trans Union LLC on July 10, 2019. (ECF No. 1.) On August 27, 2019, Defendant

Mountain Lion Acquisitions filed an answer to the complaint. (ECF No. 14.) On September 11, 

2019, Defendant Trans Union filed an answer to the complaint. (ECF No. 16.) On January 13, 

2020, a stipulation of dismissal of Defendant Mountain Lion Acquisitions was filed. (ECF No. 

37.) The stipulation of dismissal is only signed by Plaintiff and Defendant Mountain Lion 

Acquisitions. 

Under Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, ‘a plaintiff has an 

absolute right to voluntarily dismiss his action prior to service by the defendant of an answer or a 

motion for summary judgment.’ ” Commercial Space Mgmt. Co., Inc. v. Boeing Co., Inc., 193 

F.3d 1074, 1077 (9th Cir. 1999) (quoting Wilson v. City of San Jose, 111 F.3d 688, 692 (9th Cir. 

Case 1:19-cv-00940-DAD-SAB Document 38 Filed 01/14/20 Page 1 of 2
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1997)). Here, Defendants Mountain Lion Acquisitions and Trans Union have filed an answer, so 

Plaintiff cannot voluntarily dismiss a defendant pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i). 

Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) provides that a “plaintiff may dismiss an action without a court order 

by filing a stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 

41(a)(1)(A)(ii). Rule 41(a) allows a party to dismiss some or all of the defendants in an action 

through a Rule 41(a) notice. Wilson, 111 F.3d at 692. However, although Trans Union has 

appeared, the stipulation is only signed by Plaintiff and Defendant Mountain Lion Acquisitions. 

A party may also dismiss an action by filing a motion requesting the Court to dismiss the 

action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(2). A motion for voluntary dismissal under Rule 41(a)(2) is 

addressed to the sound discretion of the district court. Hamilton v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. 

Inc., 679 F.2d 143, 145 (9th Cir. 1982). 

Plaintiff’s notice of voluntary dismissal is defective under Rule 41(a) because it is not a 

signed stipulation by all parties who have appeared and it is not a motion under Rule 41(a)(2). If 

Plaintiff wishes to dismiss this action, he is required to comply with the procedures set forth in 

Rule 41 by filing a stipulation that complies with Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) signed by all parties who 

have appeared or a motion under Rule 41(a)(2). 

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s notice of voluntary dismissal is HEREBY DISREGARDED. 

Plaintiff shall file a request for dismissal that complies with Rule 41 within ten (10) days from 

the date of entry of this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 14, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-00940-DAD-SAB Document 38 Filed 01/14/20 Page 2 of 2