Opinion
Civil No. 12cv444 L(MDD)
03-01-2012
LIZETTE GALVAN, on behalf of herself, and on behalf of all persons similarly situated, Plaintiff, v. SEARS HOLDING CORPORATION, et al., Defendants.
ORDER STRIKING PLAINTIFF'S "FIRST AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT" [doc. #10]
On January 17, 2012, plaintiff, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the County of San Diego. On January 23, 2012, plaintiff filed an amendment to the complaint to correctly name as a defendant, Sears Holdings Management Corporation. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 473, a court order is required to add or correct a name. (Notice of Removal, Exh. A-10.)
The two defendants named in the amended complaint, Sears Holdings Management Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co., removed the action on February 21, 2012, based upon the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 ("CAFA"), 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d), and 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a).
On February 27, 2012, plaintiff filed a "First Amended Class Action Complaint." Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15 provides in relevant part:
A party may amend its pleading once as a matter of course within:Fed. R. Civ. P. (A)(1)-(2)
(A) 21 days after serving it, or(2) Other Amendments. In all other cases, a party may amend its pleading only with the opposing party's written consent or the court's leave. . . .
(B) if the pleading is one to which a responsive pleading is required, 21 days after service of a responsive pleading or 21 days after service of a motion under Rule 12(b), (e), or (f), whichever is earlier.
It has long been established that federal procedural laws govern all proceedings in the adjudication of an action in federal court. Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78 (1938). In the present case, plaintiff filed an amended complaint in the state court prior to removal of the action; therefore, plaintiff may file another amended complaint in the federal court only by obtaining the written consent of defendants or by seeking leave of court.
Based on the foregoing, plaintiff's "First Amended Complaint" filed February 27, 2012 [doc. #10], is STRICKEN from the record.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
_________
M. James Lorenz
United States District Court Judge
COPY TO: HON. MITCHELL D. DEMBIN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
ALL PARTIES/COUNSEL