holding that it is the plaintiff’s responsibility to request an extension of time for service
How later courts described this case
- holding that it is the plaintiff’s responsibility to request an extension of time for service
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
CYNTHIA BROWN,
Plaintiff,
23 Civ. 5593 (KPF)
-v.-
ORDER OF SERVICE
ZETA CHARTER SCHOOL,
Defendant.
KATHERINE POLK FAILLA, District Judge:
Plaintiff Cynthia Brown, of the Bronx, New York, brings this pro se action
invoking the court’s federal-question jurisdiction. She sues Defendant “Zeta
Charter School,” which the Court understands to be the Zeta Bronx Mount
Eden Early Childhood School, also of the Bronx, arising from the alleged
termination of Plaintiff’s minor daughter’s education at that school. The Court
construes Plaintiff’s complaint as asserting claims under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and,
possibly, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as claims under state law.
By order dated June 30, 2023, the court granted Plaintiff’s request to
proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”), that is, without prepayment of fees. (Dkt.
#3). The Court directs service on the defendant.
DISCUSSION
A. Service on the Defendant
Because Plaintiff has been granted permission to proceed IFP, she is
entitled to rely on the Court and the U.S. Marshals Service to effect service.1
Walker v. Schult, 717 F.3d. 119, 123 n.6 (2d Cir. 2013); see also 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915(d) (“The officers of the court shall issue and serve all process ... in [IFP]
cases.”); Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(3) (stating that the Court must order the Marshals
Service to serve if the plaintiff is authorized to proceed IFP).
To allow Plaintiff to effect service on the defendant through the U.S.
Marshals Service, the Clerk of Court is instructed to fill out a U.S. Marshals
Service Process Receipt and Return form (“USM-285 form”) for the defendant.
The Clerk of Court is further instructed to issue a summons for the defendant,
and deliver to the Marshals Service all the paperwork necessary for the
Marshals Service to effect service upon the defendant.
If the complaint is not served on the defendant within 90 days after the
date the summons is issued, Plaintiff should request an extension of time for
service. See Meilleur v. Strong, 682 F.3d 56, 63 (2d Cir. 2012) (holding that it is
the plaintiff’s responsibility to request an extension of time for service).
1 Although Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure generally requires that a
summons be served within 90 days of the date the complaint is filed, Plaintiff is
proceeding IFP and could not have served a summons and the complaint until the
Court reviewed the complaint and ordered that a summons be issued. The Court
therefore extends the time to serve until 90 days after the date that a summons is
issued.
Plaintiff must notify the Court in writing if her address changes, and the
Court may dismiss the action if Plaintiff fails to do so.
B. New York Legal Assistance Group
Plaintiff may consider contacting the New York Legal Assistance Group’s
(“NYLAG”) Clinic for Pro Se Litigants in the Southern District of New York,
which is a free legal clinic staffed by attorneys and paralegals to assist those
who are representing themselves in civil lawsuits in this court. The clinic is
operated by a private organization; it is not part of, or operated by, the court.
It cannot accept filings on behalf of the court, which must still be made by any
pro se party through the court’s Pro Se Intake Unit. A copy of the flyer with
details of the NYLAG clinic is attached to this order.
CONCLUSION
The Court directs the Clerk of Court to mail an information package to
Plaintiffs address of record.
The Court also directs the Clerk of Court to issue a summons for the
defendant, complete a USM-285 form with the address for the defendant, and
deliver all documents necessary to effect service on the defendant to the U.S.
Marshals Service.
SO ORDERED.
Dated: Now York, New York Kathe fal ki ihn
KATHERINE POLK FAILLA
United States District Judge
DEFENDANT AND SERVICE ADDRESS
Zeta Charter School
Zeta Bronx Mount Eden Early Childhood School
1325 Jerome Avenue
Bronx, New York 10452
= = eee 14 ESE ° .
New York ME Legal Assistance Group District of New York
The NYLAG Legal Clinic for Pro Se Litigants in the Southern District of New York provides free limited legal
assistance to individuals who are representing themselves or planning to represent themselves in civil lawsuits
in federal court in Manhattan and White Plains. The clinic is staffed by attorneys, law students, and paralegals.
Information given to clinic staff is confidential.
Clinic Staff Can: Clinic Staff Cannot:
Advise on filing cases in federal court e Assist with federal civil cases that belong in a
including on the issue of whether a = 3 different federal court, such as the Eastern District of
should be filed in the Southern District of New York, which covers of New York, which covers
New York or somewiierocisd Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Nassau and
Provide legal advice in response to questions Suffolk Counties;
that come up at any stage of litigation; e Assist with an appeal of your federal case;
Assist in getting additional information or e Assist with state court cases, bankruptcy court cases,
research into the legal issue in your case; or criminal cases; oo
Review and explain court orders and filings ¢ Pay any of the costs associated with filing or
by your opponent, and provide an overview of defending a lawsuit in federal court;
the federal legal process in civil cases e File documents with the court on your behalf;
generally; e Appear on your behalf other than representation at a
Assist with motions, discovery, and strategy; mediation through the Southern District’s Alternative
Assist with getting ready for depositions, Dispute Resolution Program, a court-ordered
pretrial conferences, mediations, and court settlement conference, or, in appropriate cases, a
appearances; deposition;
Provide forms and instructions manuals; ° Write court documents for you, or
In appropriate cases, help you retain bono ° Conduct an investigation into the facts of your case.
counsel;
Inappropriate cases, represent you in a Clinic Staff May Decline Assistance If:
mediation through the Southern District’s
Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, ora NYLAG has already given advice to your opponent;
court-ordered settlement conference; e Your legal problem is beyond the scope of matters
Inappropriate cases, represent you at a handled by the clinic;
deposition; and e Providing assistance would conflict with the New York
Inappropriate cases, provide referrals to Rules of Professional Conduct;
other agencies and organizations that provide e Your income and/or assets are high enough to allow you
civil legal services and/or social services. to retain private counsel; or
e NYLAG determines, in its professional legal judgement,
that (i) you have refused to cooperate with the Clinic’s
counsel or follow the Clinic’s advice; (ii) any assistance
would be unreasonably difficult for NYLAG to carry out;
or (iii) your case is or will become frivolous,
unreasonable, groundless, or without merit.
¢ a bene
https://nylagoi.legalserver.org/modules/matter/extern_intake.php?pid=142&h=cea984& UJA ) □□□