Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00361/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00361-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant
Joy Leon
Plaintiff

Document Text:

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

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOY LEON,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:16-cv-00361-SAB

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 stepby-step guide, for pro se litigants. It is strongly suggested that plaintiff read and re-read 

this order and keep it readily available for future reference.

///

///

///

///

///

///

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 1 of 9
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

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

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

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 2 of 9
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

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.

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 

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 3 of 9
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

4

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, CA, but 

also an attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office in Fresno, CA. 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 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 

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 4 of 9
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

5

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; 

(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 

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 5 of 9
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

6

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, CA, noted above. Plaintiff must also file the original reply 

brief, together with a copy, with the Court at the Court’s address in Fresno, CA, 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.

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 6 of 9
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

7

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

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).

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 7 of 9
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

8

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

Court in Fresno, CA, 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.

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; F.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 

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 8 of 9
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

9

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 25, 2016 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00361-SAB Document 5 Filed 03/28/16 Page 9 of 9