Shell et al v. Purkey et al (TV1)
Filing
62
MEMORANDUM ORDER AND OPINION, the Court hereby GRANTS plaintiffs motion for voluntary dismissal without prejudice 61 . The Court DISMISSES without prejudice all of plaintiffs claims against all of the remaining defendants. The Clerk of Court is directed to CLOSE this case. In the absence of any motion or objection to the contrary, the parties will bear their own costs and attorneys fees. Signed by Chief District Judge Thomas A. Varlan on 10/13/17. (ADA)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
DAVID SHELL,
Plaintiff,
v.
FIDELITY AND DEPOSIT COMPANY
OF MARYLAND, et. al.,
Defendants.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
No.:
3:17-CV-59-TAV-HBG
MEMORANDUM ORDER AND OPINION
This civil matter is before the Court on plaintiff’s Notice of, and Motion for,
Voluntary Dismissal of All Claims Against All Remaining Defendants [Doc. 61]. Pursuant
to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2), plaintiff moves the Court for the entry of an
order dismissing plaintiff’s claims against all remaining defendants without prejudice. In
support, plaintiff’s counsel submits that he has accepted a position with the Knox County
Law Director’s office and that, after multiple discussions, plaintiff has determined that he
does not wish to pursue this action with substitute counsel. Plaintiff has thus instructed his
attorney to move for voluntary dismissal without prejudice.
Defendants have not
responded to this motion, and the time in which to do so has now expired. See E.D. Tenn.
L.R. 7.1(a). Pursuant to Local Rule 7.2, “[f]ailure to respond to a motion may be deemed
a waiver of any opposition to the relief sought.”
Rule 41(a)(2) provides that, except for the circumstances in Rule 41(a)(1), which do
not apply here, “an action may be dismissed at the plaintiff’s request only by court order,
on terms that the court considers proper.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(2). The rule further states
that “[i]f a defendant has pleaded a counterclaim before being served with the plaintiff’s
motion to dismiss, the action may be dismissed over the defendant’s objection only if the
counterclaim can remain pending for independent adjudication.” Id. Here, there is no
counterclaim pending that would preclude dismissal under Rule 41(a)(2).
Furthermore, when a plaintiff seeks to dismiss an action “without prejudice,” courts
have discretion in terms of how to proceed because the plaintiff could bring the same
litigation again. See D & M Millwork, Inc. v. Elite Trimworks Corp., No. 2:08-0101, 2010
WL 547154, at *2–3 (M.D. Tenn. Feb. 10, 2012). Thus, “[a] Rule 41(a)(2) dismissal may
be conditioned on whatever terms the district court deems necessary to offset the prejudice
the defendant may suffer from a dismissal without prejudice.” Bridgeport Music, Inc. v.
Universal-MCA Music Publ’g, Inc., 583 F.3d 948, 954 (6th Cir. 2009). For example, the
court might condition dismissal without prejudice on the plaintiff’s payment of the
defendant’s costs or attorney’s fees. DWG Corp. v. Granada Invs., Inc., 962 F.2d 1201,
1202 (6th Cir. 1992). But, “[a]lthough courts frequently impose defense costs on plaintiffs
granted a voluntary dismissal, no circuit court has held that such costs are mandatory.” Id.
Here, defendants have not moved for any conditions on the voluntary dismissal plaintiff
seeks. The Court will not order such relief absent a request.
Having carefully considered the matter, and in light of the lack of any objection or
response by defendants, the Court finds that good cause supports plaintiff’s motion.
Accordingly, the Court hereby GRANTS plaintiff’s motion for voluntary dismissal
2
without prejudice [Doc. 61]. The Court DISMISSES without prejudice all of plaintiff’s
claims against all of the remaining defendants. The Clerk of Court is directed to CLOSE
this case. In the absence of any motion or objection to the contrary, the parties will bear
their own costs and attorney’s fees.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Thomas A. Varlan
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
ENTERED AS A JUDGMENT
s/ Debra C. Poplin
CLERK OF COURT
3
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?