Opinion ID: 2789954
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Claims Against Burnet

Text: In March 2011, the district court dismissed Streambend’s six claims against Burnet, two under the ILSA and four under state law. When Streambend appealed the April 2011 dismissal of other parties, its Notice of Appeal did not mention the Order dismissing Burnet. During the appeal, Streambend filed a letter with this court stating, “Appellants did not appeal the dismissal of Burnet and it rightfully may be terminated as an appellee at this time.” On remand, the district court denied Streambend leave to re-add Burnet to its Amended Complaints because the original claims against Burnet were dismissed with prejudice and Streambend failed to appeal the dismissal.3 3 Streambend argues the district court lacked authority to reject the magistrate judge’s prior ruling absent an objection or explicit finding the ruling was clearly erroneous or contrary to law. This contention is frivolous. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 154 (1985) (the Federal Magistrates Act “does not preclude further review -5- On appeal, we review this Order for abuse of discretion. See Hawks v. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, 591 F.3d 1043, 1051 (8th Cir. 2010). We reject Streambend’s contention that the liberal amendment standard in Rule 15(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure applies to this issue. When a party moves to amend a complaint after dismissal, a more restrictive standard reflecting interests of finality applies. See Hawks, 591 F.3d at 1050-51; United States ex rel. Roop v. Hypoguard USA, Inc., 559 F.3d 818, 824 (8th Cir. 2009). Applying the stricter standard in this case was particularly appropriate because Streambend sought leave to re-add a party whose prior dismissal was on the merits and was not challenged in the earlier appeal. Compare Hawks, 591 F.3d at 1050-51. There was no abuse of discretion. Streambend’s cursory Rule 60(b) and estoppel arguments are without merit. See Park Hill School Dist. v. Dass, 655 F.3d 762, 768 (8th Cir. 2011).