Judge Payne grants motion requiring plaintiff to respond or amend complaint by February 6

District Judge Robert E. Payne granted a motion on January 6, 2026, setting a schedule for the plaintiff to respond to the defendants' Motion to Dismiss or amend her complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15. The plaintiff must file her response or an amended complaint by February 6, 2026.

The defendants have until February 20, 2026, to file a reply brief if the plaintiff opposes their Motion to Dismiss. Alternatively, if the plaintiff files an amended complaint, the defendants must answer or file any motions related to that amended complaint by February 27, 2026.

The order clarifies the procedural timeline after the defendants challenged the sufficiency of the plaintiff's original complaint. The case remains active, but the court has not yet ruled on the merits of the Motion to Dismiss.

The deadlines reflect the court's effort to move the case forward while giving the plaintiff an opportunity to fix any pleading deficiencies. The docket does not specify the nature of the claims or the parties involved. The next key step depends on whether the plaintiff amends the complaint or responds directly to the Motion to Dismiss.