Robert Grey Johnson Jr. v. Eric Cisney
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CIVIL MINUTES—
GENERAL
Case No. 5:17-cv-02059-SSS-KKx Date September 11, 2023 Title Robert Grey Johnson, Jr. v. Eric Cisney, et al.
Present: The Honorable SUNSHINE S. SYKES, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Irene Vazquez Not Reported Deputy Clerk Court Reporter
Attorney(s) Present for Plaintiff(s): Attorney(s) Present for Defendant(s): None Present None Present
Proceedings: (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE WHY
MATTER SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR
DISMISSED
The “first-to-file rule” is a doctrine of federal comity that allows a district court to transfer, stay, or dismiss an action “when a complaint involving the same parties and issues has already been filed in another district.” Pacesetter Systems, Inc. v. Medtronic, Inc. 678 F.2d 93, 94–95 (9th Cir, 1982); Alltrade, Inc. v. Uniweld Prods., Inc., 946 F.2d 622, 625 (9th Cir. 1991). “The most basic aspect of the first-to-file rule is that it is discretionary.” Alltrade, 946 F.2d at 628 (noting courts should be given “an ample degree of discretion, appropriate for disciplined and…