Opinion ID: 797977
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: ross's expert testimony

Text: 50 After submission of the summary judgment motion without oral argument, at Noyes' request, the district court reopened discovery for twenty days to permit the parties to conduct expert discovery. Kelly Services did not oppose the request. 51 During the reopened discovery period, Noyes retained Rick Ross, a purported expert in destructive cults and controversial groups and movements, who claims to have particular expertise in the Fellowship. Before Noyes could submit a declaration from Ross, the district court granted summary judgment in favor of Kelly Services on all claims. Based on the newly obtained expert evidence, Noyes moved for reconsideration of the summary judgment ruling under Rule 59(e). The court denied Noyes' motion for reconsideration, concluding that Noyes had not shown good cause why she did not earlier obtain the expert discovery. Given that the district court reopened discovery so that Noyes could retain an expert, it was seemingly inconsistent for the district court to grant summary judgment without consideration of that supplemental evidence. Based on the record, we conclude that Noyes made a good faith showing that she was reasonably diligent in conducting discovery and that it would have been a financial and practical hardship for her to have obtained the expert discovery earlier in this case. 52 In light of our reversal of summary judgment, Noyes' appeal of the denial of her Rule 59(e) motion for reconsideration is moot. We note, however, that because Noyes obtained expert discovery from Ross during the reopened discovery period, that evidence was timely, poses no Rule 16(b) problem, and should be available for use at trial. We offer no opinion as to the admissibility of Ross's testimony. 53 REVERSED and REMANDED.