Majali v. Walgreen Co.

Filing 4

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE why action should not be remanded for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Signed by Judge Maxine M. Chesney on 1/22/2007. (mmclc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 1/22/2007)

Majali v. Walgreen Co.

Doc. 4

Case 3:07-cv-00295-MMC

Document 4

Filed 01/22/2007

Page 1 of 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

United States District Court

11
For the Northern District of California

PRITI MAJALI, Plaintiff, v. WALGREEN CO., Defendant /

No. C-07-0295 MMC ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Before the Court is defendant Walgreen Co.'s notice of removal, filed January 17, 2007, wherein defendant contends the Court has diversity jurisdiction over the above-titled action. In the complaint, plaintiff Priti Majali does not seek any particular amount of damages. A federal district court has jurisdiction over removed actions only if such court would have had original jurisdiction over the action had it originally been filed therein. See 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a). The instant action contains no federal claims. Under such circumstances, the federal district court has subject-matter jurisdiction only if the action is between citizens of different states and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). Defendant's notice of removal asserts that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, but fails to submit evidence to support that assertion. Although defendant

Dockets.Justia.com

Case 3:07-cv-00295-MMC

Document 4

Filed 01/22/2007

Page 2 of 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

contends that damage awards and attorneys' fees in similar actions routinely exceed the $75,000 jurisdictional threshold, it fails to compare the facts alleged in the instant action to any case in which such damages or fees were awarded, and fails to submit any evidence suggesting that such awards are routine. As a consequence, defendant has failed to establish diversity jurisdiction. See Gaus v. Miles, 980 F.2d 564, 567 (9th Cir. 1992) (holding defendant in removed action "bears the burden of actually proving the facts to support jurisdiction, including the jurisdictional amount.") Accordingly, defendant is hereby ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE in writing, filed and served no later than February 9, 2007, why the instant action should not be remanded for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Plaintiff may file a reply to defendant's response to the order to show cause no later than February 23, 2007. The matter will stand submitted on that date, and will be decided without a hearing, unless the Court determines, after reviewing the parties' submissions, that a hearing is necessary. See Civ. L.R. 7-1(b). IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: January 22, 2007 MAXINE M. CHESNEY United States District Judge

2