Tindall v. Freightquote.com, Inc.

Filing 45

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER denying 42 Motion for Reconsideration. Signed by Magistrate Judge David J. Waxse on 5/5/11. Memorandum nad Order sent by regular and certified United States mail, return receipt requested, to pro se plaintiff, Annette Tindall, Certified Tracking Number: 7009 1410 0002 0380 7789, on 5/5/11. (mh)

DJW/1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS

ANNETTE TINDALL,
Civil Action
Plaintiff,
No. 10-2364-EFM-DJW
v.
FREIGHTQUOTE.COM, INC.,
Defendant.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Pending before the Court is Plaintiff’s pleading entitled “Suggestions in Opposition to
Defendant’s Motion for Extension of Time to File Defendant’s Motion to Compel Discovery (ECF
No. 42),which the Court construes as a Motion to Reconsider its May 2, 2011 Order (ECF No. 33),
and which has been docketed as such. For the reasons set forth below, the Court denies the motion.
I.

Background Facts
On May 2, 2011, the Court granted Defendant’s Motion for Extension of Time to File

Motion to Compel Discovery (ECF No. 31) (“Motion for Extension of Time”).1 In its Motion for
Extension of Time, Defendant stated that “[c]ounsel for Defendant has conferred with counsel for
Plaintiff, who has no objection to the court granting the relief requested herein.”2 Based in part on
that statement, the Court granted the motion.

1

See May 2, 2011 Order (ECF No. 33).

2

Def.’s Mot. for Extension of Time (ECF No. 31) at 2.

At the time Defendant filed its Motion for Extension of Time and at the time the Court
granted the motion, Plaintiff was represented by counsel. Plaintiff’s counsel has since been granted
leave to withdraw, and Plaintiff is now proceeding pro se.
Plaintiff argues in her pleading that Defendant’s Motion for Extension of Time is untimely
under D. Kan. Rule 37.1(b). That rule requires any motion to compel discovery to be filed within
thirty days of the default or service of the response, answer or objection that is the subject of the
motion, unless the Court extends the time filing for such a motion for good cause.3 Plaintiff further
argues that Defendant has failed to show good cause or excusable neglect for allegedly failing to
comply with D. Kan. Rule 37.1(b).
II.

Standard for Ruling on a Motion for Reconsideration
Although the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure do not provide for motions for reconsidera-

tion,4 the District of Kansas has promulgated a local rule, D. Kan. Rule 7.3(b), which addresses
reconsideration of non-dispositive rulings.5 Pursuant to D. Kan. Rule 7.3(b), motions seeking
reconsideration of non-dispositive orders must be based on “(1) an intervening change in controlling
law, (2) the availability of new evidence, or (3) the need to correct clear error or prevent manifest

3

D. Kan. Rule 37.1(b).

4

Hatfield v. Bd. of County Comm’rs, 52 F.3d 858, 861 (10th Cir. 1995).

5

Because the Court’s May 2, 2011 Order did not dispose of the case or any claims or
defenses pled in the case, it is considered non-dispositive.
2

injustice.”6 Whether to grant or deny a motion for reconsideration is committed to this Court’s
sound discretion.7
“A motion to reconsider may be granted to correct manifest errors, or in light of newly
discovered evidence; such a motion is directed not at initial consideration but reconsideration, and
is appropriate only if the court has obviously misapprehended a party’s position, the facts, or
applicable law, has mistakenly decided issues not presented for determination, or the moving party
produces new evidence which it could not have obtained through the exercise of due diligence.”8
The party moving for reconsideration has the burden to show that there has been a change of law,
that new evidence is available, or that reconsideration is necessary to correct clear error or prevent
manifest injustice.9
III.

Discussion
Plaintiff fails to show that there has been any change of law or that new evidence is available

that would require the Court to reconsider its ruling on Defendant’s Motion for Extension of Time.
Nor does Plaintiff show that reconsideration is required to correct any clear error or to prevent
manifest injustice. While Plaintiff was represented by counsel, her attorney, Charles Scott, Jr., was
consulted by Defendant’s attorney, and Mr. Scott indicated no opposition to Defendant’s motion.
Plaintiff cannot now take the opposite position and ask the Court to reverse its ruling.
6

D. Kan. Rule 7.3(b).

7

Coffeyville Res. Ref. & Mktg., LLC, 748 F. Supp. 2d 1261,1264 (D. Kan. 2010) (citing In
re Motor Fuel Temperature Sales Practices Litig., 707 F. Supp. 2d 1145, 1166 (D. Kan. 2010)).
8

Doerge v. Crum’s Enters, Inc., No. 05-1019-JTM, 2007 WL 1202450, at *1 (D. Kan. Apr.
23, 2007) (citing Anderson v. United Auto Workers, 738 F. Supp. 441, 442 (D. Kan. 1989)).
9

Classic Communc’ns, Inc. v. Rural Tel. Serv., Co., Inc., 180 F.R.D. 397, 399 (D. Kan. 1998)
(citations omitted).
3

For these reasons, the Court, in its discretion, declines to reconsider its May 2, 2011 Order,
and denies Plaintiff’s Motion to Reconsider.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Reconsider (ECF No. 42) is
denied.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated in Kansas City, Kansas on this 5th day of May 2011.

s/ David J. Waxse
David J. Waxse
U. S. Magistrate Judge

cc:

All counsel and pro se parties

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