Munroe v. New York University

Background

Luis Ricardo Munroe is proceeding without a lawyer. He brings claims against New York University, Erin Jane Lynch, the Legal Affairs Department, and the Office of Faculty Housing, including claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

In an order dated April 29, 2025, the court allowed Munroe to proceed without prepaying filing fees. This status is commonly called proceeding in forma pauperis. The present order concerns how the defendants will receive formal notice of the lawsuit, known as service of process.

Service of Process

The court explained that a plaintiff permitted to proceed without prepaying fees is entitled to assistance from the court and the U.S. Marshals Service in serving the defendants. Under the court’s instructions, the Clerk of Court must issue summonses for each defendant, complete a U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return form for each defendant, and provide the Marshals Service with the documents needed to complete service.

The court also addressed the usual 90-day service period under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). Because Munroe could not have completed service before the court reviewed the complaint and ordered the summonses issued, the court extended the service period to 90 days after the summonses are issued. If service is not completed within that period, Munroe should request an extension of time.

Order

Judge Dale E. Ho directed the Clerk to mail Munroe an information package, issue summonses, complete the service forms with the defendants’ addresses, and deliver the necessary documents to the Marshals Service. Munroe must notify the court in writing if his address changes, and the court stated that the action may be dismissed if he fails to do so. The order does not decide the merits of Munroe’s claims or whether any defendant violated the laws he cites.