Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-00165/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-00165-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Nancy Lynn Berrigan
Plaintiff
Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant

Document Text:

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

NANCY LYNN BERRIGAN,

Plaintiff,

v.

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of

Social Security,

Defendants.

_____________________________________ 

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1:10-cv-00165 GSA 

INFORMATIONAL ORDER FOR PRO

SE LITIGANTS 

Plaintiff is proceeding pro se in an action seeking judicial review of an administrative

decision of the Commissioner of Social Security that denied, in whole or in part, plaintiff’s claim

for benefits under the Social Security Act. 

This order provides the following helpful information, and basically serves as a

step-by-step guide, for pro se litigants. It is strongly suggested that plaintiff read and reread this order and keep it readily available for future reference.

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I. Service of the Complaint

As is outlined in the Scheduling Order issued in this case, except when other

provisions are made pursuant to an application to proceed in forma pauperis, plaintiff shall serve

a copy of the (1) summons, (2) complaint, (3) notice of availability of a Magistrate Judge and the

form of consent/ decline to jurisdiction of United States Magistrate Judge (See Local Rule

305(a)), and (4) the Scheduling Order, within twenty (20) days of plaintiff filing the complaint.

If plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis, the United States Marshal usually

serves the complaint. However, if plaintiff is not proceeding in forma pauperis, then plaintiff or

legal counsel is responsible for service and then filing a proof of service without delay. See

Local Rule 210.

Lawsuits for review of administrative decisions made by the Commissioner of

Social Security are prosecuted against the Commissioner of Social Security. Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(i)(2)

and (3) provides, in substance, that to serve the Commissioner in his official capacity, the party

must serve (1) the United States, and (2) the Commissioner. 

To serve the United States, a party must:

(1) deliver a copy of the summons and complaint to the United States

Attorney for the district where the action is brought, or to an Assistant United States Attorney or

clerical employee whom the United States Attorney designates in a writing filed with the Court;

or, send a copy of the summons and complaint, by certified mail only, to the Civil Process Clerk

at the United States Attorney’s Office; and,

(2) send a copy of the summons and complaint, by certified mail only, to the

Attorney General of the United States in Washington, D.C.; and,

(3) send a copy of the summons and complaint, by certified mail only, to the

Commissioner (the officer of the United States whose order is challenged by the lawsuit) in San

Francisco, California. Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(i)(1)-(3).

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Initial service of process is thus sufficient if plaintiff serves, by certified mail only,

copies of the summons and complaint on:

Office of the United States Attorney

Civil Process Clerk

2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4401

Fresno, CA 93721

Office of the Attorney General of the United States

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20530-0001

Office of the General Counsel

Social Security Administration

333 Market Street, Suite 1500

San Francisco, CA 94105

after which a proof of service must be filed with the Court without delay pursuant to Local Rule

210. If plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis, the United States Marshal generally completes

the proof of service and files it with the Court; however, if plaintiff is not proceeding in forma

pauperis, it is plaintiff’s duty to promptly file a proof of service with the Court.

II. Attempt at Informal Resolution of the Case

Pursuant to the Scheduling Order, within one hundred twenty (120) days after

service of the complaint, defendant is required to serve a copy of the administrative record on

plaintiff and also file the administrative record with the Court, which serves as the answer to the

complaint in this proceeding.

Once the administrative record has been filed, the parties must try to resolve the

case informally. In this process, the parties must exchange informal briefs in the form of letters

about the case to see if they can agree that the case should be sent back, or “remanded,” to the

Social Security Administration for a further hearing by an administrative law judge.

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In the letter brief, plaintiff must briefly set forth (1) the issues in the case, (2) the

reasons why plaintiff thinks that plaintiff is entitled to Social Security benefits, and (3) why the

decision to deny benefits should be remanded. 

The letter brief must be marked “Confidential Letter Brief”, should not be filed

with the Court, and must be served on defendant within thirty (30) days from the date

defendant served plaintiff with the administrative record, by mailing copies to all the

attorneys listed on the court docket as representing defendant, Commissioner of Social

Security, at the addresses noted on the court docket.

The name of the attorney or attorneys representing defendant are added to the

court docket at the time the Court receives defendant’s response to the complaint which, again,

usually consists of the administrative record. Sometimes the court docket lists not only an

attorney at the office of the General Counsel of the Social Security Administration in San

Francisco, California, but also an attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office in Fresno,

California; in these particular cases, it will then be necessary for plaintiff to mail copies of the

confidential letter brief to more than one attorney for defendant. 

Defendant’s confidential letter brief must be served on plaintiff no later than

thirty-five (35) days after defendant is served with plaintiff’s confidential letter brief.

If the parties agree to a remand, then the case will go back to the Social Security

Administration before any formal briefs are filed with the Court, and without the Court ever

considering the merits of the case. The parties’ agreement to remand the case must be set forth in

writing in a document titled “Stipulation and Order,” which must be signed and filed with the

Court no later than fifteen (15) days after defendant served its confidential letter brief on

plaintiff. See Local Rule 143(a)(1) & (b). 

The informal letter briefs exchanged by the parties are confidential in the sense

that they are not filed with the Court. If the parties are unable to agree to a remand, the letters are

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not part of the case file and, thus, are not before the Court if and when the Court finally considers

the case on the merits.

III. Briefs

If, after exchanging confidential letter briefs, the parties are unable to agree to a

remand of the case, then the parties must file formal briefs with the Court as directed in the

Scheduling Order. It is only after the formal briefs are filed with the Court that the Court will

consider the merits of the case and make a decision.

A. Plaintiff’s Opening Brief

Plaintiff’s opening brief must be filed and served no later than thirty (30)

days from the date defendant’s informal letter brief was served on plaintiff. Plaintiff must serve

a copy of the opening brief on all the attorneys listed for defendant on the court docket of the

case at the addresses noted on the court docket.

Plaintiff must also file the original opening brief, together with a copy,

with the Court, by either personal delivery or via U.S. mail to:

Office of the Clerk

United States District Court

Eastern District of California

2500 Tulare Street, Suite 1501

Fresno, CA 93721

Plaintiff’s opening brief must contain the following:

(1) a plain description of plaintiff’s alleged physical or emotional

impairments, when plaintiff contends they became disabling, and how they disabled plaintiff

from work;

(2) a summary of the administrative proceedings before the Social

Security Administration;

(3) a summary of the relevant testimony at the administrative hearing; 

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(4) a summary of all relevant medical evidence, including an

explanation of the significance of clinical and laboratory findings, and the purpose and effect of

prescribed medication and therapy;

(5) a recitation of the Social Security Administration’s findings and

conclusions relevant to plaintiff’s claims;

(6) a short, separate statement of each of plaintiff’s legal claims stated

in terms of the insufficiency of the evidence to support a particular finding of fact or reliance on

an erroneous legal standard; and,

(7) argument separately addressing each claimed error.

All references to the administrative record and all assertions of fact must

be accompanied by citations to the administrative record. Argument in support of each claim of

error must be supported by citation to legal authority and explanation of the application of such

authority to the facts of the particular case. Briefs that do not substantially comply with these

requirements will be stricken. A document that is stricken becomes null and void and is not

considered by the Court for any purpose.

Plaintiff is further advised that failure to timely file an opening brief will

result in dismissal of the action.

B. Defendant’s Brief

Pursuant to the Scheduling Order, defendant’s responsive brief is due filed

and served on plaintiff within thirty (30) days from the date of service of plaintiff’s opening

brief on defendant.

C. Plaintiff’s Reply Brief

Plaintiff may file a reply brief, but is not required to do so, within fifteen

(15) days from the date defendant served its responsive brief on plaintiff. Plaintiff must serve a

copy of the reply brief on defendant by serving the United States Attorney for the Eastern District

of California at the address in Fresno, California, noted above. Plaintiff must also file the

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original reply brief, together with a copy, with the Court at the Court’s address in Fresno,

California, noted above.

Plaintiff’s reply brief should respond to the arguments made in defendant’s

responsive brief.

IV. Motion to Dismiss

In some cases, instead of serving and filing an administrative record, defendant

may file a motion to dismiss the case pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12., within one hundred twenty

(120) days from the date defendant is served with plaintiff’s complaint.

Plaintiff may oppose a motion to dismiss by filing and serving opposition to the

motion within fourteen (14) days from the date the motion to dismiss was served on plaintiff,

and should be titled “Opposition to Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss.” See Local Rule 230(c).

The Court will consider a motion to dismiss only after receiving opposition from

plaintiff, or after the time for filing opposition has passed. In ruling on a motion to dismiss the

case, the Court may either (1) deny the motion and proceed with the case, ordering the parties to

proceed to file the administrative record, attempt informal resolution, and file briefs; or, (2) grant

the motion to dismiss, and dismiss all or part of the case.

V. The Court’s Decision on the Merits

The Court will consider the merits of the case only after all briefs have been filed,

and may enter a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the determination of the Social

Security Administration. The Court may or may not remand the case to the Social Security

Administration for a further hearing.

VI. Summary of Deadline Calculations

See Section

I. above

Service due 20 days after filing complaint

See Section II.

above

Administrative Record due 120 days after service

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See Section III. A.

above

Plaintiff’s Opening Brief due 95 days after administrative record lodged with

court

See Section III. B.

above

Defendant’s Brief due 30 days after plaintiff’s opening brief filed

See Section III. C.

above

Plaintiff’s Reply Brief -

optional

due 15 days after defendant’s brief filed

VII. Rules for Litigating the Action

Plaintiff is informed of the following:

A. In litigating this action, the parties must comply with the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure (Fed.R.Civ.P.), and the Local Rules of the United States District Court, Eastern

District of California (“Local Rules”). A copy of the Local Rules may be obtained in the Clerk’s

Office at no charge.

Local Rule 206 is a special rule for Social Security actions. Specifically (a)(2)

and (3) generally states that complaints shall contain the last four digits of plaintiff’s Social

Security number only, i.e., XXX-XX-1234, and that plaintiff shall privately disclose to

defendant, within five (5) days after a request is made to plaintiff, the full Social Security

number of plaintiff. Therefore, plaintiff shall refrain from disclosing the entire Social Security

number on any filings.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE LOCAL RULES, FEDERAL RULES, OR

A COURT ORDER, INCLUDING THIS ORDER, WILL BE GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR

OTHER APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS. See Local Rule 110; Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b).

B. Documents intended to be filed with the Court must be mailed to the Clerk

of the Court in Fresno, California, at the address noted above. See Local Rule 134(a). All

documents inappropriately mailed directly to a judge's chambers will be stricken from the record. 

A document requesting a court order must be styled as a motion, not a letter. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 7.

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C. Each document submitted for filing must include the original signature of

the filing party or parties. Local Rule 131; Fed.R.Civ.P. 11(a). All documents submitted without

the required signature(s) will be stricken. Each separate document must be separately stapled. 

See Local Rule 130. If a document is stapled behind another document, it will not be filed and

will not enter the court docket.

D. All documents filed with the Court must be submitted with an additional

legible copy to be conformed for the Court's use. See Local Rule 133(d)(2). A document

submitted without an extra copy for the Court's use will be stricken. If the filing party wishes the

Court to return a file-stamped copy, an additional copy must be provided for that purpose (i.e., an

original and two copies, one for the Court's use and one to be returned to the filing party),

together with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The Court cannot provide copy or mailing

service for a party, even for an indigent plaintiff proceeding in forma pauperis. Copies of

documents from the Court’s file may be obtained in the Clerk’s Office at the cost of fifty ($.50)

cents per page.

E. After any defendant has appeared in an action by filing a pleading

responsive to the complaint (i.e., an answer or a motion to dismiss), all documents filed with the

Court must include a proof of service stating that a copy of the document was served on the

opposing party. See 28 U.S.C. § 1746; Fed.R.Civ.P. 5; Local Rule 135. A document submitted

without the required proof of service will be stricken. Where a party is represented by

counsel, service on the party's attorney of record constitutes effective service. 

F. A pro se party has an affirmative duty to keep the Court and opposing

parties apprised of a current address. If plaintiff moves and fails to file a notice of change of

address, service of court orders at plaintiff's prior address shall constitute effective notice. See

Local Rule 182(f). If mail directed to plaintiff is returned by the United States Postal Service as

undeliverable, the Court will not attempt to re-mail it. If plaintiff’s address is not updated, in

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writing, within sixty (60) days of mail being returned, the action will be dismissed for failure to

prosecute. See Local Rule 183(b).

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: March 10, 2010 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

6i0kij UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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