David Wasney, Sr. v. Donald Schwartz

NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FILED FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT FEB 05 2015 MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK U.S. COURT OF APPEALS In re. DONALD CHARLES No. 12-17359 SCHWARTZ, D.C. No. 5:09-cv-05831-EJD Debtor, _______________________________ MEMORANDUM* DAVID A. WASNEY, SR., Plaintiff-Appellant, v. DONALD CHARLES SCHWARTZ, Defendant-Appellee. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of California Edward J. Davila, District Judge, Presiding Submitted November 21, 2014** San Francisco, California * This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3. ** The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2). Before: THOMAS and CHRISTEN, Circuit Judges, and SEABRIGHT, *** District Judge. David A. Wasney, Sr., appeals the district court’s order affirming the bankruptcy court’s dismissal of his 11 U.S.C. § 523(c) adversary complaint against Donald Schwartz as untimely under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 4007(c). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158(d)(1), and we affirm. Wasney concedes that his adversary complaint was filed one day after the bar date. He sought equitable tolling or other equitable relief. The bankruptcy court, however, lacked equitable power to grant Wasney relief from the untimely filing. See Anwar v. Johnson, 720 F.3d 1183, 1187 (9th Cir. 2013). “[W]e have repeatedly held that [Rule 4007(c)’s deadline] . . . is ‘strict’ and, without qualification, ‘cannot be extended unless a motion is made before the 60-day limit expires.’” Id. (quoting In re Kennerley, 995 F.2d 145, 146 (9th Cir. 1993)) (other citations omitted). Even if applicable, Wasney has not demonstrated “unique and exceptional circumstances” that might warrant relief from Rule 4007(c)’s strict time limit. Id. at 1187–88 & n.6. Wasney’s counsel’s declaration does not establish that an emergency situation prevented the filing, or that a court explicitly misled him. See *** The Honorable J. Michael Seabright, United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii, sitting by designation. 2 In re Kennerley, 995 F.2d at 148 (“[T]he unique circumstances exception would appear to be limited to situations where a court explictly misleads a party.”). AFFIRMED. 3