Opinion
Civil Action 3:24-CV-00016-KDB-SCR
02-22-2024
THOMAS COLEY, Plaintiff, v. GUY PROPERTIES, LLC, Defendant.
ORDER
SUSAN C. RODRIGUEZ UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
THIS MATTER is before the Court on Defendant's “Answer” (Doc. No. 4) and “Motion to Dismiss” (Doc. No. 6) both filed February 9, 2024, and Plaintiff's “Amended Complaint” (Doc. No. 9) filed February 20, 2024.
Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governs amendments to pleadings. Rule 15(a)(1) grants a party the right to “amend its pleading once as a matter of course,” if done within 21 days after serving the pleading, Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(1)(A), or “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.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(1)(B). The Rule further provides that leave to amend shall be freely given “when justice so requires.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(2).
Plaintiff filed his Amended Complaint within 21 days following receipt of Defendant's Answer and Motion to Dismiss. Accordingly, the amendment is as a matter of course. Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(1)(B).
It is well-settled that an amended pleading supersedes the original pleading, and that motions directed at superseded pleadings are to be denied as moot. Hall v. Int'l Union, United Auto., Aerospace & Agric. Implement Workers of Am., No. 3:10-CV-418-RJC-DSC, 2011 WL 4014315, at *1 (W.D. N.C. June 21, 2011); Young v. City of Mount Ranier, 238 F.3d 567, 572-73 (4th Cir. 2001).
The Court makes no determination as to the merits of any of Plaintiff's claims and all objections and defenses raised by Defendant in its initial Motion are preserved.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that:
1. Defendant's “Motion to Dismiss” (Doc. No. 6) is administratively DENIED as moot without prejudice.
2. The Clerk is directed to send copies of this Order to counsel for the parties and to the Honorable Kenneth D. Bell.
SO ORDERED.