El Sobrante Development, LLC et al v. National Assurance Group, Inc et al

Filing 57

ORDER Moving September 28, 2009 Hearing and ORDER Dismissing Defendant Pamela Blair Under Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) signed by Chief Judge Anthony W. Ishii on 9/21/2009. ( Motion for Good Faith Settlement Hearing set for 10/26/2009 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom 2 (AWI) before Chief Judge Anthony W. Ishii) (Figueroa, O)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE 8 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 This is a case involving the foreclosure of various parcels of land and several groups of 18 Defendants. Currently set for hearing and decision on September 28, 2009, is this Court's order 19 to show cause and Plaintiffs' motion for good faith settlement approval. On September 9, 2009, 20 the Court issued an order to show cause why Defendant Pamela Blair should not be dismissed 21 due to a violation of Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). The Court also ordered Plaintiffs to file a 22 notice of settlement as to the "Oregon Defendants" and ordered Plaintiffs to clarify whether Blair 23 has a lien on the parcels, how settlement would affect Blair, whether the "Oregon Defendants" 24 were served with the settlement papers involving the "Winter Defendants," and whether the 25 "Oregon Defendants" consented to the settlement with the "Winter Defendants." 26 On September 18, 2009, Plaintiffs' counsel filed a declaration. Counsel declares that: 27 (1) Pamela Blair has no lien and that Plaintiffs will dismiss her from the case prior to September 28 ) ) ) ) v. ) ) NATIONAL ASSURANCE GROUP, ) INC., et al., ) ) Defendants. ) ____________________________________) EL SOBRANTE DEVELOPMENT, L.L.C, et al., Plaintiff, 1: 08-CV-0455 AWI DLB ORDER MOVING SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 HEARING and ORDER DISMISSING DEFENDANT PAMELA BLAIR UNDER RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 4(m)

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28, 2009; (2) he believed that a settlement had been reached with the Oregon Defendants, but that the papers have not been signed and that settlement negotiations are still taking place; (3) if a resolution has not been achieved within thirty (30) days, then Plaintiff will direct the Oregon Defendants to either file an answer or else a default will be taken; and (4) the Oregon Defendants will be immediately served with the motion for good faith settlement with the Winter Defendants. See Court's Docket Doc. No. 55. Counsel then requests a continuance to ensure that the Oregon Defendants receive notice and/or consent. With respect to Pamela Blair, counsel's declaration does not address Rule 4(m), but does indicate that Plaintiffs intend to dismiss her. Given counsel's declaration and that well more than 120 days have elapsed without service of the complaint, the Court will dismiss Blair without prejudice for violation of Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). See Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 4(m); Johnson v. Meltzer, 134 F.3d 1393, 1396 (9th Cir. 1998). As for the Oregon Defendants, the Court will grant a continuance to ensure that notice and/or consent to the motion for good faith settlement is achieved.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. Defendant Pamela Blair is DISMISSED without prejudice as per Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m); 2. The September 28, 2009, hearing on Plaintiffs' motion for good faith settlement is VACATED and the hearing is RESET to October 26, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 2;1 and 3. If a settlement is achieved with the Oregon Defendants, Plaintiffs are to file a notice immediately with this Court as per Local Rule16-160. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: 0m8i78
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September 21, 2009

/s/ Anthony W. Ishii CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

T h e Court resets the hearing with the understanding that Plaintiffs have now served the Oregon Defendants w i t h the motion for good faith settlement.

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