Aljahmi v. 1738 Finest Deli Inc.

Background

The plaintiff’s counsel asked the court to extend the deadline for filing a motion for default judgment against corporate defendant 1738 Finest Deli Inc. A default judgment is a judgment against a party that did not respond to the case. The request sought to postpone that motion until the claim against the answering defendant, Aljahmi, was resolved. The letter also states that Aljahmi was defending himself.

Requested Extension

Counsel argued that waiting would avoid potentially inconsistent judgments and the need to determine damages more than once. Counsel also stated that the deli was closed and that it was unclear, before information could be obtained through the case, whether the corporate defendant had assets that justified further time and expense. In the alternative, counsel requested an extension of approximately two weeks, until April 18, 2023, because of the Passover holiday.

Disposition

The text ends with the direction: “Plaintiff shall move for default judgment within fourteen days of a final judgment as to Defendant Aljahmi.” Judge Analisa Torres therefore set that timing requirement. The available text does not clearly identify whether the request to delay the deadline until resolution of the active claim, or the alternative request for an extension until April 18, 2023, was formally granted or denied. The final sentence is truncated and contains an apparent incomplete name.