Hopkins v. Severn Bancorp, Inc. ( 2021 )

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ----------------------------------------------------------X : MATTHEW HOPKINS, : : Plaintiff, : : 21-CV-7723 (VSB) -against- : : ORDER SEVERN BANCORP, et al., : : Defendants. : : --------------------------------------------------------- X VERNON S. BRODERICK, United States District Judge: On September 15, 2021, Plaintiff filed this action against Defendants Severn Bancorp, Inc., Alan J. Hyatt, Konrad M. Wayson, Raymond S. Crosby, James H. Johnson, Jr., David S. Jones, John A. Lamon, III, Mary Kathleen Sulick, and Shore Bancshares, Inc. (Doc. 1.) To date, Plaintiff has not obtained a summons, filed an affidavit of service,or taken any other action to prosecute this case. Accordingly, it is hereby: ORDERED that, no later than December 23, 2021, Plaintiff shall submit a letter of no more than three (3) pages, supported by legal authority, demonstrating good cause as to why this case should not be dismissed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). “Good cause is generally found only in exceptional circumstances where the plaintiff's failure to serve process in a timely manner was the result of circumstances beyond its control.” E. Refractories Co. v. Forty Eight Insulations, Inc., 187 F.R.D. 503, 505 (S.D.N.Y. 1999) (internal quotation marks omitted). “District courts consider the diligence of plaintiff's efforts to effect proper service and any prejudice suffered by the defendant as a consequence of the delay.” Id.(internal quotation marks omitted). “An attorney's inadvertence, neglect, mistake or misplaced reliance does not constitute good cause.” Howard v. Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, 977 F.Supp. 654, 658 (S.D.N.Y.1997) (citing McGregor v. United States, 933 F.2d 156, 160 (2d Cir.1991), aff'd, 173 F.3d 844 (2d Cir.1999)). Plaintiff is warned that failure to submit a letter and to demonstrate good cause for failure to serve Defendants within ninety days after the complaint was filed will result in dismissal of this action. SO ORDERED. Dated: | December 17, 2021 i fo U _ | uy New York, New York PAA UUIOW1 1d VERNON S. BRODERICK United States District Judge