Renelle Hernandez v. Cajun Bourbon, LLC

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana grants Cajun Bourbon, LLC’s motion to set aside entry of default under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(c). The court finds that the default was not willful, that plaintiff would not be prejudiced, and that the case should proceed on the merits; plaintiff’s motion for default judgment is denied as moot, and defendant is ordered to file responsive pleadings by March 27, 2026.

Holdings

1. The entry of default must be set aside because Cajun Bourbon established good cause: its failure to defend was not willful, Hernandez would not be prejudiced, and the case should proceed on the merits.
2. The motion for default judgment was denied because setting aside the entry of default rendered the motion moot.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Cajun Bourbon showed good cause under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(c) to set aside the entry of default.
2. Whether setting aside the entry of default would prejudice Hernandez.
3. Whether Hernandez's motion for default judgment should be granted after the entry of default was set aside.

Disposition

other