Breland & Farmer Designers Inc v. Cancilla et al

Filing 25

ORDER denying 6 MOTION to Dismiss filed by Tim K Watson; denying 7 MOTION to Dismiss filed by Natausha Brown & Josh Brown. The Court denies 19 Plaintiff's Motion for a Default Judgment against Deft Watson. The request for alternative service is denied as moot. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 7/27/09. (jct)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS JONESBORO DIVISION BRELAND & FARMER DESIGNERS, INC. v. NO. 3:09CV00017 JLH DEFENDANTS PLAINTIFF PETE CANCILLA; TIM K. WATSON; JOSH BROWN; and NATAUSHA BROWN ORDE R Tim K. Watson, Josh Brown, and Natausha Brown have filed motions to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on the ground that they were not served with summons and complaint within the time required by Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The complaint in this case was filed on February 12, 2009. Summons and complaint were served on June 22, 2009, which is 130 days after the complaint was filed. Rule 4(m) provides that if a defendant is not served within 120 days after the complaint is filed, the court must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a specified time. Rule 4(m) also provides that if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period. The plaintiff has responded by showing that it has been diligent in attempting to accomplish service of process. The plaintiff has demonstrated good cause for extending the time for accomplishing service of process. Because the plaintiff has shown good cause, the motions to dismiss are denied. Documents #6 and #7. The plaintiff has also moved for a default judgment against Watson and for an order authorizing alternative modes of service. Those motions are denied. Document #19. Watson, as noted, was served on June 22, 2009. He filed a motion to dismiss on July 9, 2009. His motion was within the time permitted by Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, so he is not in default. The request for alternative service is denied as moot. IT IS SO ORDERED this 27th day of July, 2009. ___________________________________ J. LEON HOLMES UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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