ORDER DISCHARGING ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

ORDER REGARDING RESPONSE TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

GARY S. AUSTIN, Magistrate Judge.

Relevant Procedural Background

On January 13, 2012, Plaintiffs L.S., parent on behalf of student A.S., a minor, and A.S., a minor, filed a complaint in support of an appeal of decision of administrative law judge, pursuant to Title 20 of the United States Code section 1415(i)(2), against Defendants Panama Buena Vista Union School District, Rita Pierucci, in her official capacity, and Does 1 through 20. (Doc. 1.) On January 18, 2012, this Court granted Plaintiffs' application to proceed in forma pauperis and issued summonses and new case documents. (See Docs. 4-6.)

On May 17, 2012, this Court issued an Order to Show Cause for Plaintiffs' failure to serve the summons and complaint and to do so within 120 days in compliance with Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Further, Plaintiffs were to show cause in writing no later than May 31, 2012, for the aforementioned failures. (Doc. 10.)

On May 24, 2012, Plaintiffs' counsel, Nicole Hodge Amey, filed a response to the order to show cause. (Doc. 11.) That same date, Plaintiff L.S. filed a written response to the Court's order to show cause. Due to the content of the response, that document was sealed and filed on the Court's docket as entry number 12.

DISCUSSION

Ms. Amey's response raises a number of issues to which the Court will respond separately.

Service by the United States Marshal

Ms. Amey indicated that because Plaintiffs are proceeding in forma pauperis, she "expected that the U.S. Marshall [sic] would effect service upon defendants," and further, that she was not aware "that such service would not be made." (Doc. 11 at 1.)

On January 18, 2012, five days after the complaint was filed on Plaintiffs' behalf, the Clerk's Office issued new case documents, including, among other documents, Instructions for Completing Form USM-285, Notice of Submission of Documents, and Process Receipt and Return (commonly referred to as the USM-285) forms. (See Docs. 6-3 & 6-4.)

Despite receiving the necessary forms and instructions for completing those forms more than four months ago, Ms. Amey has not completed the forms nor returned them to the Clerk's Office. It is counsel's obligation to complete the necessary forms on behalf of her clients to ensure service by the U.S. Marshal; until the forms are provided by the party seeking to serve the summons and complaint, neither the Court nor the Clerk's Office can proceed. See Local Rule 210(d); see also Local Rule 110 ("Failure of counsel . . . to comply . . . with any order of the Court may be grounds for imposition by the Court of any and all sanctions . . .").

Counsel's Health & Practice

In her response to the order to show cause, Ms. Amey reports she has a permanent medical condition that affects her "mobility and energy," and that the condition has worsened in the past three months. Further, Ms. Amey indicates she has been "on bed rest and limited activity" for the preceding two months, and as a result, "has had to terminate clients and has ceased accepting clients that require more than simple legal tasks." (Doc. 11 at 2.) Counsel indicates she has been "unable to speak" and has "begun notifying many clients of her inability to continue representation." (Doc. 11 at 2-3.)

Additionally, Ms. Amey "was forced to terminate her assistant without notice," further affecting her medical condition and limiting her abilities. (Doc. 11 at 2.)

Ms. Amey indicates that her medical condition, coupled with the lack of a legal assistant, caused this matter, and in particular the time limits regarding service of process, to "f[a]ll off of Counsel's calendar." (Doc. 11 at 2.)

In short, Ms. Amey now believes that, as a result of the fragility of her health, she can no longer "represent these clients and fight against their accusations." (Doc. 11 at 2; see also Doc. 11-1 at 2.)

Permission from this Court is required to withdraw as counsel of record. See Local Rule 182(d)1; see also Cal. Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 3-700.

Counsel's Request for an Extension of Time

Counsel requests that the time within which Plaintiffs may effect service of the summons and complaint be extended, however, she does not state any particular length of time. (Doc. 11 at 3.)

This Court will grant a thirty (30) day extension of time within which counsel shall complete the necessary forms to ensure proper service is effected. Counsel shall employ the forms previously provided, and shall familiarize herself with this Court's rules and procedures.

Counsel's Request the Court Grant an Order Relieving Her As Counsel Sua Sponte

Ms. Amey indicates that she "intends to file a Motion to be Relieved as Counsel for Plaintiffs, unless the Court can grant such Order now. Because of the Plaintiff's [sic] health, even a small Motion is extremely exhausting." (Doc. 11 at 3.)

The Court will not sua sponte relieve Ms. Amey as counsel for Plaintiffs. Counsel shall comply with this Court's Local Rules and the applicable law.

This Court notes that on May 31, 2012, counsel in fact filed a motion to withdraw and set the matter for hearing before the undersigned on June 22, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. (Doc. 14.) The Court notes however that the pleading filed does not include a proof of service indicating Plaintiffs themselves have been served with counsel's motion.

ORDER

In light of the foregoing, this Court orders as follows:

IT IS SO ORDERED.