BLACK v. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (2019)

Charleatta M. Black filed a civil complaint alleging that her employment was terminated because of her race, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C.A. §§ 2000e to 2000e-17 (West 2012 & Supp. 2018). Black seeks to appeal the district court's order adopting the magistrate judge's report and recommendation to dismiss without prejudice Black's complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

This court may exercise jurisdiction only over final orders, 28 U.S.C. § 1291 (2012), and certain interlocutory and collateral orders, 28 U.S.C. § 1292 (2012); Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b); Cohen v. Beneficial Indus. Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541, 545-46, 69 S.Ct. 1221, 93 L.Ed. 1528 (1949). Because it is possible that Black could amend her complaint to cure the defects identified by the district court, namely, show that she has exhausted her administrative remedies, the order she seeks to appeal is neither a final order nor an appealable interlocutory or collateral order. See Goode v. Cent. Va. Legal Aid Soc'y, 807 F.3d 619, 623-25, 628-30 (4th Cir. 2015). Accordingly, we deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis, dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction, and remand the case to the district court with instructions to allow Black to file an amended complaint. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

DISMISSED AND REMANDED

PER CURIAM:

Dismissed and remanded by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.