Pandora Distribution, LLC v. Ottawa OH, LLC et al

Filing 208

Memorandum Opinion and Order: granting Ottawa's motion to file its fourth third-party complaint (Doc. No. 202). Ottawa shall have fourteen days from the date of this Order to file its fourth amended third-party complaint. #202 Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick on 4/25/2017. (S,AL)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
WESTERN DIVISION

Pandora Distribution, LLC,

Case No. 3:12-cv-2858

Plaintiff
v.

MEMORANDUM OPINION
AND ORDER

Ottawa OH, LLC et al.,
Defendants
This matter is before me on Third-Party Plaintiff Ottawa OH, LLC’s motion for leave to file
a fourth amended third-party complaint (Doc. No. 202), First American Title Insurance Company’s
opposition (Doc. No. 204), and Ottawa’s reply (Doc. No. 206).
The allegations by the parties are well-known to all involved and need not be repeated for
purposes of this decision. Ottawa seeks to file a fourth amended third-party complaint against First
American to clarify the record as to the claim of bad faith. First American vigorously opposes the
motion.
Rule 15 provides a party may amend its pleadings once as a matter of course within 21 days
of serving the pleading or, if a responsive pleading is required, 21 days after service of a responsive
pleading. Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 15(a)(1). “In all other cases, a party may amend its pleading only with
the opposing party’s written consent or the court’s leave. The court should freely give leave when
justice so requires.” Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 15(a)(2). “In the absence of any apparent or declared reason –
such as undue delay, bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of the movant, repeated failure to cure
deficiencies by amendments previously allowed, undue prejudice to the opposing party by virtue of
allowance of the amendment, futility of amendment, etc. – the leave sought should, as the rules
require, be ‘freely given.’” Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962); see also Head v. Jellico Hous. Auth.,

870 F.2d 1117, 1123 (6th Cir. 1989). “Notice and substantial prejudice to the opposing party are
critical factors in determining whether an amendment should be granted.” Hageman v. Signal L. P.
Gas, Inc., 486 F.2d 479, 484 (6th Cir. 1973).
It is undisputed Ottawa filed its third-amended complaint (Doc. No. 67), in accord with the
Court’s deadline as set forth at the April 2014 status conference. (Doc. No. 63). Subsequently,
discovery disputes arose which delayed movement of the litigation.
At the March 9, 2017 status conference, counsel for Ottawa advised the Court they
anticipated seeking leave to file another amended third-party complaint, possibly filing a motion for
sanctions, and also anticipated a discovery dispute with First American.
I am cognizant of the district court’s discretion in making a determination under Rule 15. I
also take note of the Sixth Circuit’s guidance “that cases should be tried on their merits rather than
the technicalities of pleadings.” Jet, Inc. v. Sewage Aeration Sys., 165 F.3d 419, 425 (6th Cir. 1999),
quoting Tefft v. Seward, 689 F.2d 637, 639 (6th Cir. 1982).
Having considered the parties’ arguments, I grant Ottawa’s motion to file its fourth thirdparty complaint (Doc. No. 202). Ottawa shall have fourteen days from the date of this Order to file
its fourth amended third-party complaint.

So Ordered.
s/ Jeffrey J. Helmick
United States District Judge

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