STIPULATION AND ORDER TO EXTEND DEFENDANTS' TIME TO RESPOND TO COMPLAINT

JOHN A. MENDEZ, District Judge.

All parties hereby stipulate and request that the court enter an order extending defendants' time to file an answer or other responsive pleading until 30 days after a final decision is entered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel. Good cause exists for this request:

1. On March 20, 2017, Plaintiff filed a Statement of Claim with FINRA seeking binding arbitration pursuant to Rule 13804(a)(2) of a dispute arising out of alleged wrongful acts committed by Defendant Nordstrom, a former Fidelity employee, in concert with Defendant Innovation Wealth Management.

2. On March 20, 2017, Plaintiff filed the Complaint in the instant case based on the same conduct and claims as the FINRA arbitration proceeding.

3. On March 21, 2017, Plaintiff filed its Ex Parte Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order.

4. On March 30, 2017, the Court granted Plaintiff's motion, entered a Temporary Restraining Order, and directed the parties to proceed to arbitrate their claims before FINRA (provided Defendant Innovation Wealth Management consented to the arbitration).

5. On April 4, 2017, Defendant Innovation Wealth Management filed its Notice of Consent to Arbitration.

6. The Parties agree that the merits of this case will be resolved in arbitration before FINRA, pursuant to FINRA Rule 13804.

7. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary expenses, Plaintiff and Defendants are in agreement that Defendants' date to file an answer or other pleading responsive to the Complaint be extended until 30 days after a final decision is entered by the FINRA arbitration panel. The parties respectfully request that the Court so order.

ORDER

Pursuant to stipulation, and for good cause shown, Defendants' deadline to respond to Plaintiff's Complaint is extended to 30 days after a final decision is entered by the FINRA Arbitration Panel.

IT IS SO ORDERED.