Rhonda McLaren v. Nj State Dep't of Ed, 462 F. App'x 148 (3rd Cir. 2012). · Go Syfert
Rhonda McLaren v. Nj State Dep't of Ed, 462 F. App'x 148 (3rd Cir. 2012). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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cited 3× by 3 distinct cases, 2020–2024 · …entered a notice of call for dismissal Topic ↗
cited 3× by 3 distinct cases, 2020–2024 · …little choice as to how to proceed. Topic ↗
60 citation events (60 in the last 25 years) across 4 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 2016 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2016 2021 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 33 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) LACURTS v. PRIMECARE PSYCH DOCTOR ARLYN (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
E.D. Pa. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
although courts are normally required to consider whether a lesser sanction would be appropriate, 'the district court could not contact the plaintiff to threaten her with some lesser sanction.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) QUICK v. UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - COLUMBIA
D.N.J. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the case as a sanction for plaintiffs failure to provide the court with an accurate mailing address.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) OKPOR v. DABO
D.N.J. · 2021 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
therefore, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the case as a sanction for mclaren's failure to provide the court with an accurate mailing address.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Tarahjay M. Ross v. Captain Steve Smith, et al.
M.D. Penn. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (unpublished) (citing Guyer v. Beard, 907 F.2d 1424 , 1429–30 (3d Cir. 1990) and Spain, 26 F.3d at 454–55).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Louis Johnson v. Nelnet, Inc.
D.N.J. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dept. of Educ., 462 F. App'x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012); see also Spam v. Gallegos, 26 F.3d 439, 455 (3d Cir. 1994).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Thomas Waters a/k/a Afeni Shakur v. J. Grizzanti, et al.
M.D. Penn. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (unpublished) (citing Guyer v. Beard, 907 F.2d 1424 , 1429–30 (3d Cir. 1990) and Spain, 26 F.3d at 454–55).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) MOLNAR v. MERCK & CO., INC. (2×) also: Cited "see"
D.N.J. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dept. of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (holding “when a litigant’s conduct makes adjudication of the case impossible, [a] balancing under Powis is unnecessary.”’).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Parker v. Kyper
M.D. Penn. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (unpublished) (citing Guyer v. Beard, 907 F.2d 1424 , 1429–30 (3d Cir. 1990) and Spain, 26 F.3d at 454–55).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ashford, Jr. v. Burgos
M.D. Penn. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (unpublished) (citing Guyer v. Beard, 907 F.2d 1424 , 1429–30 (3d Cir. 1990) and Spain, 26 F.3d at 454–55).
cited Cited as authority (rule) SMITH v. MADISON SUITES HOTEL LLC
D.N.J. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dept. of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir, 2012); see also Spain v. Gallegos, 26 F.3d 439, 455 (3d Cir. 1994).
cited Cited as authority (rule) GREMO v. BAYER CORPORATION
D.N.J. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dept. of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir, 2012); see also Spain v. Gallegos, 26 F.3d 439, 455 (3d Cir. 1994).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) WARREN v. DR. LITTLE, MEDICAL DOCTOR (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
E.D. Pa. · 2024 · confidence medium
For example, in McLaren v. New Jersey Dep’t of Educ., the district court issued an order granting the pro se plaintiff leave to proceed in forma pauperis, but that order was returned by the Postal Service as undeliverable despite having been sent to the address the plaintiff provided. 462 F. App’x 148, 148 (3d Cir. 2012) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) EVANS v. CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
E.D. Pa. · 2023 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Shehadeh v. Wilkes-Barre City Police Department
M.D. Penn. · 2022 · confidence medium
McLaren v. New Jersey Dept. of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (quoting Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1441 (9th Cir. 1988)); (see Doc. 24; Doc. 25; Doc. 26; Doc. 27).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) SANCHEZ SANTOS v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
D.N.J. · 2021 · confidence medium
Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (affirming dismissal without considering the six factors set forth in Poulis v. State Farm Fire and Cas.
cited Cited as authority (rule) MILES v. SERGEANT MORRIS
D.N.J. · 2021 · confidence medium
McLaren v. New Jersey Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) SANTA v. JONE (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
E.D. Pa. · 2021 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) BINGHAM v. CITY OF READING, PA (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
E.D. Pa. · 2021 · confidence medium
For example, in McLaren v. New Jersey Dep’t of Educ., the district court issued an order granting the pro se plaintiff leave to proceed in forma pauperis, but that order was returned by the Postal Service as undeliverable despite having been sent to the address the plaintiff provided. 462 F. App’x 148, 148 (3d Cir. 2012) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) HARRIS v. LAMAS (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
E.D. Pa. · 2020 · confidence medium
For example, in McLaren v. New Jersey Dep’t of Educ., the district court issued an order granting the pro se plaintiff leave to proceed in forma pauperis, but that order was returned by the Postal Service as undeliverable despite having been sent to the address the plaintiff provided. 462 F. App’x 148, 148 (3d Cir. 2012) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) MILLER v. GEORGE W. HILL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
E.D. Pa. · 2020 · confidence medium
Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (“[A]lthough courts are normally required to consider whether a lesser sanction would be appropriate, ‘[t]he district court could not contact [the plaintiff] to threaten [her] with some lesser sanction.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) THOMAS v. CITY OF PHILADELPHIA (2×) also: Cited "see"
E.D. Pa. · 2020 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
cited Cited as authority (rule) THOMAS v. CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
E.D. Pa. · 2020 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
cited Cited as authority (rule) AVID RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. AIA AMERICA, INC.
E.D. Pa. · 2020 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
cited Cited as authority (rule) MORRIS v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY
E.D. Pa. · 2020 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
cited Cited as authority (rule) POLICASTRO v. KROSS LIEBERMAN & STONE, INC.
E.D. Pa. · 2019 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
cited Cited as authority (rule) CUBERO v. PBM, CMSI OF PHILADELPHIA
E.D. Pa. · 2019 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012). 1 The Court subsequently ruled on PBM’s motion to dismiss and dismissed Cubero’s claims of race, color, and national origin discrimination.
cited Cited as authority (rule) BRANTLEY v. AMERICAN STAR BOOKS/PUBLISH AMERICA
E.D. Pa. · 2019 · confidence medium
State Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bishop v. United States Department of Agriculture
3rd Cir. · 2016 · confidence medium
State Dep't of Educ., 462 Fed.Appx. 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012), which affirmed its dismissal without prejudice for failure to prosecute in a case where documents mailed to the plaintiff had been returned as undeliverable.
discussed Cited "see" Herbert Sherman aka John Doe v. Blanche Carney, et al.
E.D. Pa. · 2026 · signal: see · confidence high
See McLaren v. New Jersey Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (per curiam) (“[A]lthough courts are normally required to consider whether a lesser sanction would be appropriate, the district court could not contact the plaintiff to threaten her with some lesser sanction.” (internal citations and alterations omitted)); Lear v. Dahaus, Civ.
discussed Cited "see" LeFever v. United States
M.D. Penn. · 2020 · signal: see · confidence high
See McLaren v. New Jersey Dep't of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (per curiam) (citing Guyer v. Beard, 907 F.2d 1424, 1429-30 (3d Cir. 1990) and Spain v. Gallegos, 26 F.3d 439, 454-55 (3d Cir. 1994)): see also Doe v. Megless, 654 F.3d 404, 411 (3d Cir. 2011) (the District Court did not clearly err n determining that “[b]Jecause Doe’s conduct makes adjuclication of the case impossible, dismissal pursuant to Rule 41(b) is appropriate, even without consideration of the Poulis factors”).
discussed Cited "see" JONES v. WARDEN J.E. THOMAS
M.D. Penn. · 2020 · signal: see · confidence high
See McLaren v. NJ Dept. of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (per curiam) (citing Guyer v. Beard, 907 F.2d 1424 , 1429 – 30 (3d Cir. 1990) and Spain v. Gallegos, 26 F.3d 439 , 454 – 55 (3d Cir. 1994)); see also Doe v. Megless, 654 F.3d 404, 411 (3d Cir. 2011) (the District Court did not clearly err in determining that “[b]ecause Doe’s conduct makes adjudication of the case impossible, dismissal pursuant to Rule 41(b) is appropriate, even without consideration of the Poulis factors”).
discussed Cited "see" Spillman v. Kollman
M.D. Penn. · 2019 · signal: see · confidence high
See McLaren v. NJ Dept. of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (per curiam) (citing Guyer v. Beard, 907 F.2d 1424 , 1429 – 30 (3d Cir. 1990) and Spain v. Gallegos, 26 F.3d 439 , 454 – 55 (3d Cir. 1994)); see also Doe v. Megless, 654 F.3d 404, 411 (3d Cir. 2011) (the District Court did not clearly err in determining that “[b]ecause Doe’s conduct makes adjudication of the case impossible, dismissal pursuant to Rule 41(b) is appropriate, even without consideration of the Poulis factors”).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." WILLIAMS v. VITNER
E.D. Pa. · 2020 · signal: see also · confidence medium
No. 6 at 3; see also McLaren v. New Jersey Dep’t of Educ., 462 F. App’x 148, 149 (3d Cir. 2012) (holding that dismissal is appropriate when a plaintiff failed to provide the district court with an accurate mailing address); Thomas v. City of Philadelphia, No. 19-90, 2020 WL 586993 , at *2 (E.D.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Rhonda MCLAREN, Appellant
v.
N.J. State DEPT. OF EDUCATION; CWA Union Local 1033
11-4585.
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mar 1, 2012.
462 F. App'x 148
Rhonda McLaren, Morrisville, PA, pro se.
Rendell, Hardiman, Van Antwerpen.
Cited by 33 opinions  |  Unpublished

OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Pro se appellant Rhonda McLaren appeals the District Court’s order dismissing her complaint as a sanction for her failure to provide the Court with a valid mailing address. For the reasons discussed below, we will summarily affirm the District Court’s judgment.

McLaren instituted this action by filing a complaint and a request to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) in the District Court on June 1, 2011. The complaint, which was largely conclusory, alleged that McLaren had been discriminated against at her job with the New Jersey Department of Education. She listed her address as 124 Pennington Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey.

The District Court granted McLaren’s application to proceed IFP on June 3, 2011. The Court attempted to send McLaren a copy of this order; however, although the Court used the address provided by McLaren, the order was returned by the post office as undeliverable. A notification that the complaint had been received was similarly returned.

On November 17, 2011, the District Court entered a notice of call for dismissal pursuant to District of New Jersey Civil Rule 41.1, which provides that “[cjivil cases ... which have been pending in the Court for more than 120 days without any proceedings having been taken therein must be dismissed for lack of prosecution by the Court ... unless good cause is shown.”[*149] The Court sent a copy of this document to McLaren at the Pennington Avenue address, and it was returned as undeliverable.

On December 5, 2011, the District Court dismissed the action without prejudice. The Court summarized the various documents that had been returned as undeliverable, noted that D.N.J. Civ. R. 10.1 requires litigants to apprise the Court of any address change and provides that the failure to do so may result in the imposition of sanctions, and concluded that there was good cause to dismiss the complaint. McLaren, who had not taken any action in the District Court since filing her complaint, then filed a timely notice of appeal to this Court.

We have jurisdiction over the appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. See, e.g., Wynder v. McMahon, 360 F.3d 73, 76 (2d Cir.2004) (“a dismissal without prejudice [for failure to prosecute] that does not give leave to amend and closes the case is a final, appealable order under 28 U.S.C. § 1291”). We review the District Court’s order for abuse of discretion. See Bowers v. Nat’l Collegiate Athletic Ass’n, 475 F.3d 524, 538 (3d Cir.2007).

Typically, district courts are required to evaluate the factors set forth by Poulis v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 747 F.2d 863 (3d Cir.1984), to determine whether dismissal is appropriate. However, when a litigant’s conduct makes adjudication of the case impossible, such balancing under Poulis is unnecessary. See Guyer v. Beard, 907 F.2d 1424, 1429-30 (3d Cir.1990); see also Spain v. Gallegos, 26 F.3d 439, 454-55 (3d Cir.1994). We are satisfied that this is such a case. It was McLaren’s duty to provide the Court with an up-to-date mailing address, see D.N.J. Civ. R. 10.1; see also Soliman v. Johanns, 412 F.3d 920, 922 (8th Cir.2005), and she failed to do so. As a consequence, while the District Court repeatedly sought to reach McLaren — once to warn her that dismissal was imminent after the case had lain dormant for more than five months— each mailing was returned as undeliverable. Thus, when faced with a case that was languishing on its docket, the District Court had little choice as to how to proceed. For instance, although courts are normally required to consider whether a lesser sanction would be appropriate, “[t]he district court could not contact [the plaintiff] to threaten [her] with some lesser sanction. An order to show cause why dismissal was not warranted or an order imposing sanctions would only find itself taking a round trip tour through the United States mail.” Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1441 (9th Cir.1988). Therefore, we conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the case as a sanction for McLaren’s failure to provide the Court with an accurate mailing address. See id. 1

Accordingly, we will summarily affirm the District Court’s order. See 3d Cir. L.A.R. 27.4; I.O.P. 10.6.

1

. This affirmance is without prejudice to McLaren’s right to move the District Court for relief from the judgment pursuant to Fed. R.Civ.P. 60(b), should she have a basis to do so. See generally Standard Oil Co. v. United States, 429 U.S. 17, 17-19, 97 S.Ct. 31, 50 L.Ed.2d 21 (1976).