Court Opinion

ID: 9482837
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 09:02:22.086642+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:49:14.551400
License: Public Domain

NATHANIEL R. JONES, Circuit Judge,
concurring in the result.
I agree with the majority that the unpublished case of Lofton v. J.L. Hudson Co., No. 86-1538 (6th Cir. Apr. 14, 1987) [816 F.2d 680 (table) ] (Westlaw, CtA6 database) lacks precedential value for deciding whether “given” in Eastern District of Michigan Local Rule 32(e)(5) means “mailed” or “delivered.” I would find, however, that it does have precedential value on the issue of whether the district court has discretion in applying the local rule. See Lofton, at *4 (“[A] mediation acceptance is not ‘carved in stone’ and a judge has the power to set it aside based on the circumstances.”). In the instant case, the district court mistakenly believed that it lacked discretion. Ordinarily, this situation might require a remand, but here the proper exercise of discretion, once found to exist, is clear. In contrast to the defendant in Lofton, Pepsico was not dilatory. Cf. id. (“Hudson not only failed to mail [the rejection] to the correct location but, after learning of its error, waited over two weeks before moving for leave to file late.”). Furthermore, Pepsico’s interpretation of the local rule was not objectively unreasonable. Accordingly, I concur in the result.