Case Information
*1 FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
OAKLAND DIVISION Case No: C 11-03152 SBA
ALICIA G. ATIENZA, et al., ORDER CONTINUING MOTION HEARING AND DIRECTING PLAINTIFFS TO FILE RESPONSE TO DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS Plaintiffs, vs.
AMERICAN BROKERS CONDUIT, et al., Dkt. 9
Defendants.
Plaintiffs, acting pro se, filed a largely unintelligible Complaint in this Court on June 24, 2011. The parties are presently before the Court on Defendant American Home Mortgage Servicing and Mortgage Electronic Registration System, Inc.’s motion to dismiss. Dkt. 9. The motion currently is noticed for hearing on January 31, 2012. Dkt. 21. Under Local Rule 7-3, any opposition or statement of non-opposition was due no later than two weeks after the motion was filed. Since the motion was filed on September 13, 2011, Plaintiffs’ opposition was due by September 27, 2011. To date, however, no response to the motion has been filed.
Paragraph 8 of the Court’s Standing Orders expressly warns as follows: “ Effect of Failing to Oppose a Motion : The failure of the opposing party to timely file a memorandum of points and authorities in opposition to any motion or request shall constitute a consent to the granting of the motion.” Dkt. 8 at 5. Notwithstanding the requirements of Civil Local Rule 7-3, and the Court’s warning in its Standing Orders, Plaintiffs have filed nothing in response to the pending motion.
“Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), the district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any order of the court.” Ferdik v. Bonzelet 963 F.2d 1258, 1260 (9th Cir. 1992). As such, the failure to file an opposition to a motion to dismiss *2 in the manner prescribed by the Court’s Local Rules is grounds for dismissal. Ghazali v. Moran, 46 F.3d 52, 53 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam). Nevertheless, the Court will sua sponte afford Plaintiffs an additional opportunity to file a response to Defendants’ motion to dismiss. While the Court does not countenance Plaintiffs’ disregard of the Local Rules, the Court grants such extension in consideration of less drastic alternatives to dismissal. See Pagtalunan v. Galaza, 291 F.3d 639, 642 (9th Cir. 2002). Nonetheless, Plaintiffs are warned that the failure to file an opposition by the deadline set by the Court will be deemed grounds for dismissing the action under Rule 41(b), without further notice. Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Plaintiffs shall file their response to Defendants’ motion to dismiss by no later than January 25, 2012 . If Plaintiffs do not intend to prosecute this action, they should file a stipulation for dismissal under Rule 41(b), a request for dismissal under Rule 41(a), or a statement of non-opposition by that deadline. The failure timely comply with this Order will result in the dismissal of the action. If applicable, Defendants may file a reply by no later than February 7, 2012 .
2. Both the motion hearing and the Case Management Conference scheduled for January 30, 2012, are CONTINUED to March 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 78(b) and Civil Local Rule 7-1(b), the Court, in its discretion, may resolve the motion without oral argument, prior to the new hearing date. The parties are advised to check the Court’s website to determine whether a court appearance is required.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: January 10, 2012 _______________________________
SAUNDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG United States District Judge *3 FOR THE
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
ALICIA G ATIENZA et al,
Plaintiff,
v.
AMERICAN BROKERS et al,
Defendant.
/
Case Number: CV11-03152 SBA CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am an employee in the Office of the Clerk, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.
That on January 12, 2012, I SERVED a true and correct copy(ies) of the attached, by placing said copy(ies) in a postage paid envelope addressed to the person(s) hereinafter listed, by depositing said envelope in the U.S. Mail, or by placing said copy(ies) into an inter-office delivery receptacle located in the Clerk's office.
Alicia G. Atienza
136 Saint Francis Bouldvard
San Francisco, CA 94127
Clodualdo A. Atienza 136 Saint Francis Bouldvard San Francisco, CA 94127
Dated: January 12, 2012
Richard W. Wieking, Clerk By: LISA R CLARK, Deputy Clerk