Gatewood v. Ryder Truck Rental Inc et al
Filing
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ORDER granting 7 motion for leave to amend complaint. The Court directs Ms. Gatewood to file her amended complaint within 21 days from the date of this Order. Signed by Judge Kristine G. Baker on 10/15/2020. (jak)
THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
NORTHERN DIVISION
FRANCES GATEWOOD
v.
PLAINTIFF
Case No. 3:20-cv-00129-KGB
RYDER TRUCK RENTAL, INC.
AND LEROY DONTAE WILLIAMS
DEFENDANTS
ORDER
Before the Court is plaintiff Frances Gatewood’s motion for leave to amend complaint,
filed August 25, 2020 (Dkt. No. 7). Ms. Gatewood filed her initial complaint against defendants
Ryder Truck Rental (“Ryder”) and Leroy Dontae William on May 11, 2020 (Dkt. No. 1). For the
following reasons, the Court grants plaintiff’s motion for leave to amend complaint (Dkt. No. 7).
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a)(1), a party may amend a pleading once
as a matter of course within 21 days after serving it or within 21 days after service of the responsive
pleading or a motion under Rule 12(b)(6). After the 21-day period expires, “a party may amend
its pleadings only with the opposing party’s written consent or the court’s leave.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
15(a)(2). The Court should give leave freely when justice so requires, but “parties do not have an
absolute right to amend their pleadings . . . .” Sherman v. Winco Fireworks, Inc., 532 F.3d 709,
715 (8th Cir. 2008).
“[D]enial of leave to amend pleadings is appropriate only in those limited circumstances
in which undue delay, bad faith on the part of the moving party, futility of the amendment, or
unfair prejudice to the non-moving party can be demonstrated.” Roberson v. Hayti Police Dep’t,
241 F.3d 992, 995 (8th Cir. 2001) (citing Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962)). “A district
court’s denial of leave to amend a complaint may be justified if the amendment would be futile.”
Geier v. Missouri Ethics Comm’n, 715 F.3d 674, 678 (8th Cir. 2013).
Ms. Gatewood seeks to amend her complaint in order to join an additional defendant (Dkt.
No. 7, ¶ 4). Defendants have not opposed this motion. For good cause shown, the Court grants
Ms. Gatewood’s motion for leave to amend complaint (Dkt. No. 7). The Court directs Ms.
Gatewood to file her amended complaint within 21 days from the date of this Order.
It is so ordered this 15th day of October, 2020.
________________________________
Kristine G. Baker
United States District Judge
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