Passmore et al v. Johnson et al
Filing
26
ORDER denying 18 Defendants' Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative, Transfer Venue. The case shall proceed in due course. Signed by Judge John A. Houston on 11/28/2011. (All non-registered users served via U.S. Mail Service)(mtb)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
10
11
GREG PASSMORE, an individual, and
3D PIPELINE CORP., a California
corporation doing business as Passmore
Labs,
12
Plaintiffs,
13
v.
14
CHRIS JOHNSON, an individual, and
DERMA-MED TECHNOLOGIES
CORP., an Alabama corporation,
15
16
17
18
Defendants.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Civil No. 3:10-cv-2056-JAH (BGS)
ORDER DENYING DEFENDANTS’
MOTION TO DISMISS OR, IN
THE ALTERNATIVE, TRANSFER
VENUE [DKT. NO. 18]
INTRODUCTION
19
Before the Court is defendants Chris Johnson and Derma-Med Technologies
20
Corporation’s (“Defendants”) Motion to Dismiss Based on the Anticipatory Suit
21
Exception to the First-to-file Rule or, in the Alternative, to Transfer Venue under 28
22
U.S.C. § 1404(a) (“Motion”). (Dkt. No. 18.) Plaintiffs Greg Passmore and 3D Pipeline
23
Corporation (“Plaintiffs”) have filed an opposition to the Motion, (Dkt. No. 21), and
24
Defendants have filed a reply, (Dkt. No. 22). After a careful review of the parties’
25
submissions, including accompanying declarations, exhibits, lodgments, and objections,
26
and for the reasons set forth below, the Court DENIES Defendants’ Motion.
27
28
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiffs initiated this action in the Superior Court of the State of California,
10cv2056
1
County of San Diego (“San Diego Superior Court”) on March 30, 2010, by filing a
2
complaint that asserts four causes of action: (1) breach of contract, (2) negligent
3
misrepresentation, (3) unjust enrichment, and (4) declaratory relief. (Dkt. No. 1 at 10.1)
4
Plaintiffs’ suit arises from an apparent dispute regarding performance under a
5
contract the parties apparently entered into in September 2007. (Dkt. No. 1 at 13.)
6
Pursuant to the contract, Plaintiffs were to develop a skin scanning device for Defendants
7
and, in exchange, Defendants would give Plaintiffs $200,000.00 and a stock interest in
8
defendant Derma-Med Technologies Corporation. (Id.) The written agreement contains
9
the following provision:
10
11
27.
Any disagreements not covered in this Agreement that cannot be
worked out between the parties will be handled through mediation. The
parties [sic] agents shall select a mutually agreed upon state, excluding
Alabama and California, in which to handle all legal proceedings.
12
13
(Dkt. No. 18-1 at 9; Dkt. No. 9 at 65.)
14
After Plaintiffs filed suit in the San Diego Superior Court, Defendants filed suit in
15
the Texas District Court of Harris County on April 12, 2010. (Dkt. No. 18 at 19; Dkt.
16
No. 21 at 5.) Thereafter, on May 7, 2010, Defendants moved to dismiss or stay the San
17
Diego Superior Court action based on the above-referenced forum selection clause, but the
18
San Diego Superior Court denied the motion, finding the forum selection clause
19
unenforceable. (Dkt. No. 18 at 8; Dkt. No. 21 at 5.) On September 3, 2010, Defendants
20
filed another lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of
21
Alabama. (Dkt. No. 18 at 8; Dkt. No. 21 at 5.) Defendants then filed, in this Court, a
22
Notice of Removal on October 1, 2010, and an additional Notice of Removal on
23
November 23, 2010 – each seeking to remove the instant action from the San Diego
24
Superior Court to this Court. (Dkt. Nos. 1, 9.) In response, Plaintiffs filed a Motion to
25
Remand on October 7, 2010, and an additional Motion to Remand on December 6, 2010.
26
(Dkt. Nos. 2, 12.) On March 21, 2011, Plaintiffs withdrew both motions to remand.
27
28
1
For ease of reference, all page numbers cited herein refer to the CM/ECF page
numbers of the documents indicated by docket entry number.
2
10cv2056
1
(Dkt. No. 17.) And on April 18, 2011, Defendants filed the instant motion. (Dkt. No.
2
18.)
BACKGROUND
3
4
It appears relations between the parties began to disintegrate during the latter half
5
of 2009. (Dkt. No. 18 at 7; Dkt. No. 21-2 at 2.) Thereafter, it appears the parties,
6
through counsel, attempted to agree upon a location (other than California or Alabama)
7
to mediate and litigate the dispute pursuant to the forum selection clause in the parties’
8
written agreement.
9
Counsel for Plaintiffs, Dyson, declares that, “after two months of correspondence
10
and telephone contacts” between him and counsel for Defendants, he received a letter
11
from Morris, Defendants’ counsel, on February 5, 2010. (Dkt. No. 21-2 at 2.) In the
12
letter, Morris acknowledged the written agreement’s forum selection clause, asked Dyson
13
to call to discuss the matter, and conveyed Defendants’ desire to mediate in either
14
Mississippi or Florida. (Dkt. No. 18-1 at 15.2) Dyson declares that he called Morris on
15
February 5, 2010, to discuss a mediation location but the two did not reach a resolution.
16
(Dkt. No. 21-2 at 2.) Dyson then avers that, on February 22, 2010, he again discussed
17
the matter with Morris, suggesting the parties mediate in Austin, Texas. (Id.) On
18
February 24, 2010, Dyson received an email from Morris stating Defendants did not wish
19
to mediate in Texas but did want to mediate in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Dkt. No. 18-1
20
at 20.3 ) Dyson declares he and Morris spoke again on February 24, 2010, but the two
21
were again unable to reach a resolution on the issue of a mediation location. (Dkt. No.
22
21-2 at 2.)
23
On March 3, 2010, Dyson received a letter from Morris, in which Morris reiterated
24
Defendants’ desire to mediate in New Orleans. (Dkt. No. 18-1 at 16; Dkt. No. 21-2 at
25
2
26
27
The parties agree the document at page 15 of Docket Number 18-1 is a true and
accurate copy of the letter that Morris sent Dyson. (Dkt. No. 18-1 at 2; Dkt. No. 21-2
at 2.)
3
28
The parties agree the document at page 20 of Docket Number 18-1 is a true and
accurate copy of the email that Morris sent Dyson. (Dkt. No. 18-1 at 2; Dkt. No. 21-2
at 2.)
3
10cv2056
1
2.) Dyson responded with an email stating he was not in the position to respond to
2
Defendants’ request to mediate in New Orleans but that he anticipated being able to
3
respond within about a week. (Dkt. No. 18-1 at 19.4) The parties appear to agree that
4
Morris and Dyson did not speak again until at least March 30, 2010, at which point their
5
versions of events diverge.
6
In an affidavit, Morris swears he “was informed by Mr. Dyson on March 30, 2010
7
that he would let [Morris] know [Plaintiffs’] position on litigation/mediation locale ‘asap,
8
but certainly within the week.’” (Dkt. No. 22-2 at 4.) And in defendant Chris Johnson’s
9
Declaration, Johnson restates Morris’s account of the March 30, 2010, conversation as
10
follows:
14
Defendants [sic] agent called Plaintiffs [sic] agent to get an update on
Defendants’ counter offer of March 4, 2010 [regarding mediation in New
Orleans]. Plaintiffs’ agent stated in the conversation with Defendants [sic]
agent that “he would call his client (Plaintiffs) today and get confirmation
that a New Orleans, Louisiana mediation locale would work. He then stated
he would let me (Defendants [sic] agent) know something firm asap, but
certainly within this week.”
15
(Dkt. No. 18-1 at 2.) Attached to Johnson’s Declaration is a confirmatory email that
16
Morris apparently sent to his client, Johnson, that states:
11
12
13
17
18
19
After telling me how busy he has been, [Dyson] said that he would call his
client [i.e., Plaintiffs] today and get confirmation that a New Orleans,
Louisiana mediation locale would work.
He then stated he would let me know something firm asap, but certainly
within this week.
20
21
(Dkt. No. 18-1 at 17.)5
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
4
The parties agree the document at page 19 of Docket Number 18-1 is a true and
accurate copy of the email that Dyson sent Morris. (Dkt. No. 18-1 at 2; Dkt. No. 21-2
at 2.)
5
Plaintiffs object to Defendants’ proffers of evidence regarding the purported
March 30, 2010, conversation between Dyson and Morris. (Dkt. No. 21 at 9.) As the
Court will explain below, however, even if the Court found that Dyson and Morris had
the conversation that Defendants assert they had on March 30, 2010, Defendants still
would not have demonstrated that an exception to the first-to-file rule applies.
Accordingly, the Court makes no findings of fact with respect to the purported March 30,
2010, conversation and therefore overrules Plaintiffs’ objections to Defendants’ proffers
on the issue as moot.
4
10cv2056
1
Plaintiffs filed their Complaint the same day Dyson purportedly told Morris he
2
would “get confirmation that a New Orleans, Louisiana mediation locale would work” –
3
March 30, 2010. (Dkt. No. 1 at 7.)
DISCUSSION
4
5
I.
Legal Standard
6
Generally recognized doctrines of federal comity permit a district court to decline
7
jurisdiction over an action when a complaint that involves the same parties and issues has
8
already been filed in another district. See Kerotest Mfg. Co. v. C-O-Two Fire Equip. Co.,
9
342 U.S. 180, 185-86 (1952). Under those circumstances, a district court may transfer,
10
stay, or dismiss an action. Alltrade, Inc. v. Uniweld Products, Inc., 946 F.2d 622, 623
11
(9th Cir. 1991). The purpose of the first-to-file rule is to promote judicial efficiency and
12
should not be taken lightly. Church of Scientology v. U.S. Dep't of the Army, 611 F.2d
13
738, 750 (9th Cir. 1979); Alltrade, Inc., 946 F.2d at 625.
14
The first-to-file rule, however, should not be applied mechanically, but “rather is
15
to be applied with a view to the dictates of sound judicial administration” with a goal
16
toward avoidance of conflicting judgments and placement of an unnecessary burden on
17
the federal judiciary. Pacesetter Sys., Inc. v. Medtronic, Inc., 678 F.2d 93, 95 (9th Cir.
18
1982); Church of Scientology, 611 F.2d at 750. Courts should consider three factors
19
when deciding whether to apply the first-to-file rule: (1) the chronology of the two actions,
20
(2) the similarity of the parties, and (3) the similarity of the issues. Alltrade, Inc., 946
21
F.2d at 625-26; Ward v. Follett Corp., 158 F.R.D. 645, 648 (N.D. Cal. 1994).
22
Absent compelling circumstances, the first-filing party should be permitted to
23
proceed without concern about a conflicting order being issued in a later-filed action.
24
Ward, 158 F.R.D. at 648. A court may determine the rule should not be applied based
25
on equitable considerations, such as, where the first action was filed merely as a means of
26
forum shopping or was filed in bad faith. Alltrade, Inc., 946 F.3d at 627. In that vein,
27
“[a]nticipatory suits are disfavored because they are aspects of forum-shopping.” Id. at
28
628 (citing Mission Ins. Co. v. Puritan Fashions Corp., 706 F.2d 599, 602 n.3 (5th Cir.
5
10cv2056
1
1983)).
2
A suit is anticipatory if a plaintiff files suit upon receipt of specific, concrete
3
indications that a suit by the defendant is imminent. Ward v. Follett Corp., 18 F.R.D.
4
645, 648 (N.D. Cal. 1994) (citing Amerada Petroleum Corp. v. Marshall, 381 F.2d 661
5
(5th Cir. 1967)); see also Callaway Golf Co. v. Corp. Trade Inc., 2010 WL 743829, at *3-
6
4 (S.D. Cal. Mar. 1, 2010) (applying the same standard); see also Z-Line Designs, Inc. v.
7
Bell’O Int’l, LLC, 218 F.R.D. 663, 665-66 (N.D. Cal. 2003) (applying the same standard).
8
Another exception to the first-to-file rule applies if “the balance of convenience
9
weighs in favor of the later-filed action.” Ward, 18 F.R.D. at 648 (citing Alltrade, 946
10
F.2d at 628. This balancing analysis is analogous to the analysis undertaken to decide a
11
motion to transfer venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). Callaway Golf Co., 2010 WL
12
743829, at *3 (citing Med-Tec Iowa, Inc. v. Nomos Corp., 76 F. Supp. 2d 962, 970 (N.D.
13
Iowa 1999); 800-Flowers, Inc. v. Intercontinental Florist, Inc., 860 F. Supp 128, 133
14
(S.D.N.Y. 1994)). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a), even when venue is proper, the court
15
has discretion to transfer an action “[f]or the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the
16
interest of justice, . . . to any other district or division where it might have been brought.”
17
Once a moving party demonstrates venue is proper in a proposed transferee court, courts
18
in the Ninth Circuit weigh several “private and public interest factors” to determine
19
whether transfer is appropriate: (1) plaintiff's choice of forum, (2) convenience of the
20
parties, (3) convenience of the witnesses and availability of compulsory process, (4) ease
21
of access to the evidence, (5) feasibility of consolidation of other claims, (6) familiarity
22
of each forum with the applicable law, (7) any local interest in the controversy, and (8)
23
the relative court congestion and time of trial in each forum. See Decker Coal Co. v.
24
Commonwealth Edison Co., 805 F.2d 834, 843 (9th Cir. 1986); see also Jones v. GNC
25
Franchising, Inc., 211 F.3d 495, 498-99 (9th Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 928
26
(2000).
27
28
Deciding whether and how to apply the first-to-file rule is within a district court’s
sound discretion. Alltrade, 946 F.2d at 622.
6
10cv2056
1
///
2
II.
Analysis
3
A.
First-to-file Rule Applies
4
Because the parties do not dispute the chronology of the two actions, the similarity
5
of the parties, or the similarity of the issues, the Court finds Plaintiffs have first-to-file
6
status. Thus, the Court must only decide whether an exception to the first-to-file rule
7
applies such that this Court should dismiss, stay, or transfer the instant action.
8
B.
The Bad Faith Exception Does Not Apply
9
Defendants argue Plaintiffs acted in bad faith because they contributed only
10
“minimal efforts” in attempting to agree on a mediation location and because Dyson
11
purportedly told Morris he would call his clients (i.e., Plaintiffs) to obtain confirmation
12
that a New Orleans mediation location would work the same day Plaintiffs initiated this
13
action in the San Diego Superior Court. (Dkt. No. 18 at 15.)
14
In opposition, Plaintiffs argue they “endeavored for months in good faith” in an
15
attempt to resolve the mediation location issue. (Dkt. No. 21 at 8.) Plaintiffs, however,
16
do not respond to Defendants’ proffers regarding the purported March 30, 2010,
17
conversation between Morris and Dyson. Instead, as noted above, Plaintiffs merely object
18
to Defendants proffers, claiming “the vast majority of ‘evidence’ submitted by Defendants
19
. . . is inadmissible and must be disregarded.” (Id. at 9.) Plaintiffs note that nearly a
20
month passed between the time Morris and Dyson corresponded on March 3 and 4, 2010,
21
and when Plaintiffs filed suit in the San Diego Superior Court on March 30, 2010. (Id.)
22
Lastly, Plaintiffs argue that, because the San Diego Superior Court ultimately found the
23
forum selection clause in the parties’ September 2007 agreement to be unenforceable,
24
Plaintiffs did not act in bad faith by commencing suit in California despite the forum
25
selection clause’s express bar on legal proceedings in either Alabama or California. (Id.)
26
Plaintiffs argue that, moreover, Defendants themselves are now seeking transfer of this
27
case to a forum barred by the forum selection clause – the Southern District of Alabama.
28
(Id.)
7
10cv2056
1
In reply, Defendants assert Plaintiffs offered no evidence that they “endeavored for
2
months in good faith” in an attempt to resolve the mediation location issue. (Dkt. No.
3
22 at 6.) Defendants further assert that no where in the correspondence between Dyson
4
and Morris (i.e., the exhibits attached to Johnson’s Declaration) did Dyson express
5
dissatisfaction with the negotiation process such that Defendants would have been alerted
6
to Plaintiffs’ apparent intention to file suit in violation of the forum selection clause. (Id.
7
at 7.) Regarding the month prior to Plaintiffs filing their Complaint, Defendants assert
8
their delay in following up with Plaintiffs should not be held against Defendants because,
9
per Dyson’s March 4, 2010, email, Dyson was to inform Morris of Plaintiffs’ decision
10
regarding a New Orleans mediation location within approximately a week.
(Id.)
11
Defendants, however, do not explain the approximately twenty days that passed from
12
March 11, 2010, (about one week after Dyson’s March 4, 2010, email) to March 30,
13
2010, (the day Plaintiffs filed their Complaint) in which the parties apparently had no
14
contact. Lastly, Defendants assert that, with regard to filing suit in Alabama (i.e., a forum
15
apparently barred by the forum selection clause), “Plaintiffs are responsible for Alabama
16
becoming open as a potential forum due to their anticipatory California suit creating a
17
precedent.” (Id. at 8.)
18
The Court finds that Defendants have not sufficiently demonstrated that, even
19
accepting Defendants’ proffers of evidence as true, the Court should disregard the first-to-
20
file rule because Plaintiffs acted in bad faith. There is no evidence that Plaintiffs promised
21
to negotiate the mediation location issue for a specific period of time or indicated they
22
would not file suit until the mediation location issue was resolved. Neither is there
23
evidence that Plaintiffs represented they would not challenge the forum selection clause’s
24
enforceability. At most, Plaintiffs’ counsel merely represented he would confirm Plaintiffs’
25
position on Defendants’ suggested mediation locations.
26
Further, nearly a month passed between the time Morris first followed up with
27
Dyson regarding a New Orleans mediation location and Plaintiffs’ filing of this action.
28
While Defendants claim they were waiting for Dyson’s response, the approximately
8
10cv2056
1
twenty days that passed after Dyson was supposed to respond provided or should have
2
provided some indication to Defendants that Plaintiffs were not actively engaged in
3
resolving the mediation location issue.
4
conversation between Dyson and Morris on March 30, 2010, it appears Plaintiffs had
5
already decided to file on or about March 30, 2010. That is, it appears Plaintiffs were
6
going to file on or about March 30, 2010, and Morris just happened to call Dyson that
7
day. In that regard, what Dyson may have said on March 30, 2010, is inconsequential.
8
This view is supported by the position Plaintiffs took in opposition to Defendants’ Motion
9
to Dismiss or Stay the San Diego Superior Court action, i.e., Plaintiffs considered the
10
forum selection clause to be unenforceable. Defendants could have reached a similar
11
conclusion and filed in Alabama.6
12
13
Further, regardless of the purported phone
In sum, Plaintiffs’ conduct did not rise to the level of bad faith. Accordingly, the
Court finds this exception to the first-to-file rule inapplicable.
The Forum Shopping/Anticipatory Suit Exception Does Not Apply7
14
C.
15
The Court finds Plaintiffs’ suit was not anticipatory because Defendants have
16
proffered no evidence that would demonstrate Plaintiffs filed suit upon receipt of specific,
17
concrete indications that a suit by Defendants was imminent. As discussed above,
18
Defendants were proceeding under the assumption that the forum selection clause was
19
enforceable and were therefore engaged in choosing a neutral location at which the parties
20
could mediate and/or litigate their dispute. Accordingly, the Court finds Plaintiffs’ suit
21
was not anticipatory and therefore finds the forum shopping exception inapplicable.
22
D.
The Balance of Convenience Exception Does Not Apply
23
As a preliminary matter, the Parties do not dispute this action could have been
24
brought in the Southern District of Alabama. Thus, the Court will address the following
25
6
26
27
28
clause.
The Court offers no opinion regarding the enforceability of the forum selection
7
Because anticipatory suits are “aspects of forum shopping,” and because
Defendants’ arguments regarding the more general exception of forum shopping merely
reiterate Defendants' arguments regarding anticipatory suits, the Court considers the two
together.
9
10cv2056
1
factors to decide whether, on balance, the case should be transferred: plaintiff’s choice of
2
forum, convenience of the parties and witnesses and availability of compulsory process,
3
ease of access to the evidence, feasibility of consolidation of other claims, familiarity of
4
each forum with the applicable law, any local interest in the controversy, and the relative
5
court congestion and time of trial in each forum.
6
1.
Plaintiffs’ Choice of Forum
7
Ordinarily, a strong presumption exists in favor of a plaintiff’s choice of forum.
8
Piper Aircraft Co. v. Reyno, 454 U.S. 235, 255 (1981). This presumption is overcome
9
only when private and public interest factors “clearly” point toward an alternative forum.
10
Id. A plaintiff’s choice of forum is entitled to only minimal consideration, however, where
11
the operative facts have not occurred within the plaintiff’s chosen forum and where the
12
chosen forum has no particular interest in the parties or the subject matter. Pacific Car
13
& Foundry Co. v. Pence, 403 F.2d 949, 954 (9th Cir. 1968).
14
Plaintiffs argue the operative facts of their Complaint (e.g., contract formation and
15
the development and modification of the skin scanning device) occurred within this forum
16
and that this forum has a strong interest in Plaintiffs themselves, as plaintiff 3D Pipeline
17
Corporation is a California corporation and plaintiff Greg Passmore is a California
18
resident. (Dkt. No. 21 at 13.)
19
Defendants argue Plaintiffs’ choice of forum “bears no weight in Plaintiffs [sic]
20
favor,” as Defendants have demonstrated Plaintiffs’ suit was anticipatory, involved forum
21
shopping, and was filed in bad faith. (Dkt. No. 22 at 9.)
22
As will be discussed below, the private and public interest factors do not clearly
23
point toward the alternative forum. Plaintiffs’ argument that the operative facts of
24
Plaintiffs’ Complaint occurred in this forum and that this forum has an interest in the
25
parties is supported by the allegations in Plaintiffs’ Complaint. Accordingly, the Court
26
finds Plaintiffs’ choice of forum is entitled to significant consideration.
27
28
2.
Convenience of the Parties and Witnesses
Defendants submit they have thirty-six non-party, non-employee witnesses that will
10
10cv2056
1
testify in support of Defendants’ case. (Dkt. No. 18-2 at 18, 46-48; Dkt. No. 22-1 at 6.)
2
Defendants provide only a few words describing the scope of each witness’s testimony,
3
e.g., “System Claims,” “Capital,” and “Medical Device Standards.” (Dkt. No. 18-2 at 46-
4
48.) Of those witnesses, apparently nineteen are located in Alabama, two in Florida, ten
5
in Georgia, two in Tennessee, two in California, and one in Arizona. (Dkt. No. 18-2 at
6
46-48; Dkt. No. 22-1 at 6.) Defendants predict twelve of the non-Alabama witnesses will
7
require compulsion to testify.8 (Dkt. No. 18-2 at 46-48; Dkt. No. 22-1 at 6.)
8
Plaintiffs, on the other hand, submit they have fourteen non-party, non-employee
9
witnesses. (Dkt. No. 21-3 at 2-3.) Plaintiffs provide explanations regarding the role and
10
scope of testimony for each witness on their list. (Id.) Of those witnesses, apparently
11
nine are located in California, one in Texas, two in Nevada, and two in Kansas. (Id.) Of
12
those located outside of California, Plaintiffs predict the witness in Texas will require
13
compulsion. (Id.) Plaintiffs further anticipate that seven employee witnesses, each of
14
whom are located in California, will also testify. (Id.)
15
In opposition to Defendants’ Motion, Plaintiffs contend that Defendants have
16
failed to provide any explanation as to why the testimony of Defendants’ anticipated
17
witnesses will be relevant. (Dkt. No. 21 at 11.) Plaintiffs assert Defendants have listed
18
“every individual they could think of simply to up their witness number count.” (Id.) In
19
support of this position, Plaintiffs note that Defendants list sixteen witnesses who will
20
testify regarding “System Claims,” four witnesses will testify regarding “Medical Device
21
Standards,” and ten witnesses will testify regarding “Capital.” (Id. at 13-14.) Plaintiffs
22
assert they have never heard of over eighteen of Defendants’ potential witnesses. (Id.)
23
In reply, Defendants do not address Plaintiffs’ implication that the testimony of the
24
witnesses on Defendants’ list would be cumulative. Defendants merely reassert, among
25
other things, that sixteen witnesses will testify regarding “System Claims,” four witnesses
26
will testify regarding “Medical Device Standards.” (Dkt. No. 22 at 10.) Defendants also
27
8
28
Defendants do not provide sufficient information regarding the witnesses who will
purportedly require compulsion to testify for the Court to assess Defendants’ ability to
compel their testimony.
11
10cv2056
1
assert Plaintiffs have inappropriately bolstered their list of witnesses for purposes of this
2
Motion. (Dkt. No. 22 at 9-15.)
3
First, regarding the convenience of the parties, the Court recognizes that, in this day
4
and age, the convenience of parties who are already engaged in interstate business, is
5
entitled to less consideration than the convenience of witnesses who may have had little
6
to do with the decision to transact interstate business. Further, a change of venue in this
7
case would merely shift the apparent inconvenience from one party to the other. As such,
8
this factor does not weigh in favor of either party. Therefore, the Court focuses its
9
analysis on the convenience of the witnesses.
10
With respect to witnesses, the Court is not in the position, at this juncture, to
11
decide factual disputes regarding the necessity or scope of testimony of each party’s
12
witnesses. Taking the parties’ representations regarding their proposed witnesses at face
13
value, however, the Court finds Defendants have not adequately explained why the
14
testimony of each of their proposed witnesses would be necessary and, given the seemingly
15
redundant nature of their proposed testimonies, not cumulative. Plaintiffs, on the other
16
hand, have provided unique explanations regarding the role that each witness played in
17
the project. Thus, given the record before the Court, the Court finds consideration of the
18
convenience of the witnesses tips the balance in favor of Plaintiffs.
19
3.
Ease of Access to the Evidence
20
In their Motion, Defendants appear to argue a majority of the events giving rise to
21
the allegations in Plaintiffs’ Complaint must have taken place in Alabama and, therefore,
22
the evidence supporting those allegations must also be in Alabama. (Dkt. No. 18 at
23
19-20.) Defendants assert this evidence would include Defendants’ corporate documents,
24
accounting records, board meeting minutes, telephone records, and the personal financial
25
records of defendant Chris Johnson. (Id. at 20.) Defendants submit that all of the
26
administrative work related to development of the skin scanning device, including
27
marketing efforts, was conducted in Alabama. (Dkt. No. 18-2 at 21.) Defendant Chris
28
Johnson also declares he modified the device's “interior/exterior connector interface” in
12
10cv2056
1
Alabama and shipped it to California. (Id. at 22.) Defendants also submit the only
2
non-testimonial evidence they will need for their Southern District of Alabama case is the
3
skin scanning device, which is currently stored at Plaintiffs’ facilities in California, and
4
which Defendants argue is not necessary to support the allegations in Plaintiffs’
5
Complaint. (Dkt. No. 18 at 20; Dkt. No. 18-2 at 18.)
6
Plaintiffs submit that development of the skin scanning device was undertaken
7
exclusively in, and that the device has always been in, San Diego, California. (Dkt. No.
8
21-3 at 4.) Plaintiffs further submit that all modifications of the device were carried out
9
in California and that the website, videos of the device, and work on the users manual
10
were also undertaken in California. (Id.) Lastly, Plaintiffs submit that all meetings
11
concerning the project and inspections of the device took place in California and that
12
Plaintiffs have never traveled to Alabama to work on the project. (Id. at 4-5.)
13
Additionally, Plaintiffs dispute that the activities Defendants point to in Plaintiffs’
14
Complaint actually occurred in Alabama, thus negating Defendants’ argument that a
15
majority of the evidence must also be in Alabama. (Dkt. No. 21 at 15.) Plaintiffs note,
16
for example, that Defendants claim the following activity, alleged in Plaintiffs’ Complaint,
17
occurred in Alabama: “by developing three completely different version of the scanner in
18
an attempt to satisfy the moving target of features and specifications demanded by
19
Defendants.” (Id.) The development of three different versions of the device, assert
20
Plaintiffs, was undertaken in California. (Id.) In response to Defendants’ argument that
21
the system is unnecessary for Plaintiffs’ case, Plaintiffs assert the system will be required
22
to support the allegations in their Complaint that they performed, to the extent possible,
23
their obligations under the parties’ agreement.
24
This Court finds this case centers on a contract dispute in which each party takes
25
issue with various representations made, either in writing or in person, regarding
26
performance under the contract. There is evidence relevant to this action in both Alabama
27
and California: administrative and financial documents in Alabama and documents related
28
to the development and modification of the device along with the device itself in
13
10cv2056
1
2
3
California.
In sum, the Court finds the ease of access to the evidence in this case does not
greatly tilt the balance of these factors in either party’s favor.
4.
4
Feasibility of Consolidation of Other Claims
5
Because each party argues the other party’s case should be (at least in the
6
alternative) transferred for consolidation with their own, the Court finds this factor to be
7
neutral.
8
9
10
11
5.
Familiarity of Each Forum with the Applicable Law
Because the parties agree this factor is neutral, (Dkt. No. 21 at 16; Dkt. No. 22 at
16), the Court does not consider it.
6.
Local Interest in the Controversy
12
Because each party’s argument that their chosen forum has an interest in the
13
controversy is based on their assertions that they are each citizens of their chosen forums,
14
(Dkt. No. 21 at 17; Dkt. No. 22 at 18), the Court finds this factor to be neutral.
15
7.
Relative Court Congestion and Time of Trial in Each Forum
16
Defendants submit that, on average, it takes approximately twenty-nine months to
17
conclude a civil jury trial in the Southern District of California, whereas it takes
18
approximately eighteen months in the Southern District of Alabama. (Dkt. No. 22 at 17.)
19
Plaintiffs note that, due to Defendants’ lawsuits in Texas and Alabama, along with
20
Defendants’ motions to dismiss, stay, or transfer this case in both the San Diego Superior
21
Court and this Court, Defendants have already caused a significant delay in this case.
22
(Dkt. No. 21 at 16-17.)
23
The Court first notes that this case has been ongoing in this Court for
24
approximately thirteen months and, in total, for approximately twenty months. The
25
Court finds that, while there may be, on average, an eleven-month difference in the time
26
required to conclude a trial in this forum versus the Southern District of Alabama, the
27
additional delay that would be required to transfer this case weighs in favor of proceeding
28
in this forum.
14
10cv2056
1
In sum, considering all of the above factors, the Court finds the balance of factors
2
does not weigh in favor of transferring this case to the District Court for the Southern
3
District of Alabama. Accordingly, the Court finds this exception to the first-to-file rule
4
does not apply. Having found that no exception to the first-to-file rule applies, the Court
5
must DENY Defendants’ Motion.
6
E.
Motion to Transfer Venue
7
Defendants moved, in the alternative, to transfer venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
8
1404(a).
Because the analysis under the balance of convenience exception to the
9
first-to-file rule mirrors the analysis under § 1404(a), and because the Court finds the
10
convenience factors do not weigh in favor of transfer, Defendants’ motion to transfer
11
under § 1404(a) is DENIED.
CONCLUSION AND ORDER
12
13
Based on a careful review of the parties’ submissions, and for the foregoing reasons,
14
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendants’ Motion, (Dkt. No. 18), is DENIED.9 The
15
case shall proceed in due course.
16
17
Dated: November 28, 2011
18
HON. JOHN A. HOUSTON
United States District Judge
19
20
cc: Magistrate Judge Skomal
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
9
The Court notes that Plaintiffs objected to other statements made in the
declarations and affidavits filed in support of Defendants’ Motion. Because the Court did
not rely on those statements in deciding this Motion, the Court overrules Plaintiffs’
remaining objections as moot.
15
10cv2056
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?