Opinion ID: 807964
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Refusal to Adjourn Scheduling Order

Text: The Marcilises challenge the district court’s denial of their motion for a sixty-day adjournment of the scheduling order. We review a district court’s denial of a motion to modify a scheduling order for abuse of discretion. See Andretti v. Borla Performance Indus., Inc., 426 F.3d 824, 830 (6th Cir. 2005). An abuse of discretion occurs when “the district court’s decision is clearly unreasonable, arbitrary or fanciful.” Toth v. Grand Trunk R.R., 306 F.3d 335, 343 (6th Cir. 2002) (internal quotation marks omitted). “A schedule may be modified only for good cause and with the judge’s consent.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4). A court asked to modify a scheduling order for good cause “may do so only if [a deadline] cannot reasonably be met despite the diligence of the party seeking the extension.” Leary v. Daeschner, 349 F.3d 888, 906 (6th Cir. 2003) (internal quotation marks omitted). An “important consideration for a district court deciding whether Rule 16’s good cause standard is met is whether the opposing party will suffer prejudice by virtue of the amendment.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). The Marcilises argue that “good cause” existed to support an adjournment of the scheduling order because, while they awaited the district court’s ruling on the federal agents’ motion to dismiss, the Marcilises were unable to proceed with discovery. Redford Township and the police officers agreed to the extension sought by the Marcilises. Doyle and Livingston objected to the motion pending a ruling on their motion to dismiss. Contrary to the Marcilises’ assertions, the lack of an adjournment did not prevent the Marcilises from proceeding with discovery as to the police officers. Moreover, because the district court dismissed the claims against Doyle and Livingston, the Marcilises’ inability to depose Doyle and Livingston did not prejudice the Marcilises. Because the district court’s decision was not clearly unreasonable, arbitrary, No. 11-1073 Marcilis, et al. v. Twp. of Redford, et al. Page 8 or fanciful, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying the Marcilises’ motion for a sixty-day adjournment of the scheduling order.