Opinion
20-12210
06-23-2021
TAWNI SAUNDERS, Plaintiff, v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant.
Paul D. Borman United States District Judge
ORDER GRANTING THIRD MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (ECF No. 17)
Curtis Ivy, Jr. United States Magistrate Judge
Plaintiff filed this matter on August 17, 2020, challenging an unfavorable decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying her disability benefits. (ECF No. 1). The original scheduling order in this matter required Plaintiff to file her motion for summary judgment by February 19, 2021. (ECF No. 14). Plaintiff timely filed a motion to extend that deadline. The Court granted the motion giving Plaintiff until April 19, 2021, to file the motion for summary judgment. (See Text Only Order dated February 18, 2021). Plaintiff timely filed a second motion for extension of the deadline, which was granted. Plaintiff's motion was due June 18, 2021.
On June 18, 2021, Plaintiff filed a third motion seeking an extension of the deadline. In support of the motion, Plaintiff's counsel explains he has multiple hearings over the next few months and requires significant time to prepare for those hearings. Further, counsel explains more time is needed to review the administrative record and finalize Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff seeks an extension of her deadline to July 19, 2021. The motion is unopposed. (ECF No. 17).
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 6(b)(1)(A) permits the court to extend the time to act if good cause is shown where, as here, the request is made before the time to act has expired. The Court finds good cause, in this instance, to grant the motion. Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment must be filed no later than July 19, 2021. The Commissioner's Motion for Summary Judgment must be filed no later than August 18, 2021. Plaintiff's reply, if any, must be filed by September 1, 2021. The Court will not grant any further extension of the deadline absent a strong showing of good cause. The fact that Plaintiff's counsel is preparing for other matters is not a strong showing of good cause.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
The parties to this action may object to and seek review of this Order, but are required to file any objections within 14 days of service as provided for in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(a) and Local Rule 72.1(d).