Jack K. Lewis III v. The Walt Disney Company, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri grants pro se Plaintiff Jack K. Lewis III's motion for an extension of time to serve the defendants under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). The Court finds good cause based on the plaintiff's diligence and extends the service deadline to April 21, 2026, warning that failure to timely serve any defendant may result in dismissal without prejudice.

Holdings

1. Plaintiff demonstrated good cause because he sought additional time before the deadline and provided nonconclusory facts showing diligence in attempting to complete service.
2. A plaintiff seeking a Rule 4(m) extension must provide facts, rather than merely conclusory assertions, demonstrating diligence in attempting service.
3. Plaintiff's pro se status does not excuse a failure to exercise diligence or comply timely with service-of-process rules.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Plaintiff showed good cause under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) for an extension of the service deadline.
2. Whether Plaintiff's pro se status and efforts to locate a process server justified extending the deadline.
3. Whether the service deadline should be extended despite Plaintiff's failure to obtain properly completed summonses.

Disposition

other