Williford v. Firework
- Rearden
- 1:24-cv-02335
- U.S. District Court · Southern District of New York
- 3
In Williford v. Firework, Judge Rearden ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to serve defendants in Williford’s discrimination case.
Salina Williford, Firework doing business as Loop Technologies, and Deborah Vue; the Clerk of Court and the U.S. Marshals Service were also directed to take service-related steps.
What happened
In Williford v. Firework, Salina Williford, representing herself, alleges that her employer and Deborah Vue discriminated against her because of her race and sex. She brought claims under federal and New York laws.
Because the court allowed Williford to proceed without prepaying filing fees, it directed the Clerk of Court to issue summonses and prepare the forms and documents needed for the U.S. Marshals Service to serve Firework, doing business as Loop Technologies, and Deborah Vue. The court extended the service deadline to 90 days after the summonses are issued.
Judge Rearden also instructed Williford to ask for more time if service is not completed within that period and to notify the court in writing if her address changes. The order addressed service only and did not decide whether her discrimination claims are legally valid.
The detailed version
- Williford v. Firework · No. 1:24-cv-02335
- Rearden
- May 9, 2024
Background
Salina Williford filed this action without a lawyer against Firework and HR Chief Deborah Vue. The complaint asserts claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the New York State Human Rights Law. Williford alleges that her employer discriminated against her based on race and sex.
The court had previously granted Williford permission to proceed without prepaying filing fees. In such cases, the court stated that Williford was entitled to assistance from the court and the U.S. Marshals Service in serving the defendants.
Service Instructions
The court extended the time for service until 90 days after the summonses issue because Williford could not serve the defendants before the court reviewed the complaint and ordered the summonses issued. The Clerk of Court was instructed to issue summonses for Firework, doing business as Loop Technologies, and Deborah Vue; 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 order identifies the service address for both defendants as 234 Seventh Avenue, San Mateo, California 94401. The court stated that if the complaint is not served within 90 days after the summonses issue, Williford should request an extension of time. It also instructed her to notify the court in writing if her address changes and stated that the action may be dismissed if she fails to do so.
Ruling and Effect
Judge Rearden entered an order of service. The order directs the Clerk of Court and the U.S. Marshals Service to assist with serving the defendants; it does not decide the merits of Williford’s race- or sex-discrimination claims.
Read the full 3-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.