Split Second Circuit Panel Holds That Curing a Pleading Deficiency Is Not “Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, Or Excusable Neglect” Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b)(1), But the Catchall Rule 60(b)(6) Can Apply

In Mandala v. NTT Data, Inc., No. 22-4 (2d Cir. Dec. 8, 2023), a 2-1 panel holds that the district court erred as a matter of law in applying Rule 60(b)(1) for post-judgment relief to a plaintiff’s motion seeking to reopen a case to correct a pleading deficiency, and abused its discretion by not applyingContinue reading “Split Second Circuit Panel Holds That Curing a Pleading Deficiency Is Not “Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, Or Excusable Neglect” Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b)(1), But the Catchall Rule 60(b)(6) Can Apply”

Seventh Circuit Wades into Circuit Split About Whether District Courts Have Discretion to Allow Amendment of a Complaint Through Summary Judgment Briefing

In Schmees v. HC1.com, Inc., No. 22-1214 (7th Cir. Aug. 8, 2023), the Seventh Circuit addresses the “muddled” law of whether district courts may treat new claims raised by a plaintiff for the first time in summary judgment briefing as a constructive amendment to the complaint. The court holds they may, although it does notContinue reading “Seventh Circuit Wades into Circuit Split About Whether District Courts Have Discretion to Allow Amendment of a Complaint Through Summary Judgment Briefing”

Fifth Circuit Reverses Sua Sponte Dismissal with Prejudice of Section 1983 Damages Action That Named Officers in Official Rather Than Individual Capacity

In Carver v. Atwood, No. 21-40113 (5th Cir. Nov. 18, 2021), the Fifth Circuit reverses a district court’s decision to dismiss an action brought against three Texas state officers of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (“TDCJ”) on sovereign immunity grounds under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) without leave to amend. The plaintiff “alleged theContinue reading “Fifth Circuit Reverses Sua Sponte Dismissal with Prejudice of Section 1983 Damages Action That Named Officers in Official Rather Than Individual Capacity”