Colony Insurance Company v. Shane Garst et al

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25-cv-02235-AJB-JLB
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
COLONY INSURANCE COMPANY,
Plaintiff,
v.
SHANE GARST, et al.,
Defendants.
Case No.: 25-cv-02235-AJB-JLB
ORDER DENYING NOTICE OF
VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL OF
THIRD PARTY DEFENDANTS
JAMES GELLEIN AND IMA INC.
dba IMA INSURANCE SERVICES,
ONLY, WITHOUT PREJUDICE
PURSUANT TO FRCP 41(a)(1)(A)(i)
(Doc. No. 23)
Before 	the 	Court 	is 	the 	notice 	of 	dismissal 	filed 	by 	Defendants/Cross-
Complainants/Third-Party Plaintiffs Shane Garst and The Sydekicks Real Estate, LLC,
(collectively, “Garst”). (Doc. No. 23.) Garst seeks to dismiss his third-party complaint
against Third-Party Defendants James Gellein and IMA Inc., d.b.a. IMA Insurance
Services, (collectively, “IMA”) without prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(i). (Id.) However, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(c) requires
Garst to have filed any notice of voluntary dismissal pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i)
“before a responsive pleading is served.” Here, IMA filed an answer on November 21,
2025. (Doc. No. 18.)
Case 3:25-cv-02235-AJB-JLB Document 24 Filed 02/18/26 PageID.<pageID>
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25-cv-02235-AJB-JLB
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Accordingly, Garst’s Notice of Voluntary Dismissal of Third Party Defendants
James Gellein and IMA Inc., d.b.a. IMA Insurance Services, only, without prejudice
pursuant to FRCP 41(a)(1)(A)(i) is DENIED. The Court notes, however, that Garst and
IMA may jointly move to dismiss Garst’s third-party complaint against IMA pursuant to
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2)
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 18, 2026
Case 3:25-cv-02235-AJB-JLB Document 24 Filed 02/18/26 PageID.<pageID>
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