SCHMIDT v. THE PANTRY, INC.

Filing 21

ORDER directing Defendant to file additional information or affidavits and Plaintiff to file amended and corrected affidavit as to 6 Motion for Attorney's Fees & Costs, and Supporting Memorandum of Law filed by KARI L. SCHMIDT by 1/9/2012) and directing Defendant to file a response to the corrected affidavit by 1/16/2012; signed by MAGISTRATE JUDGE GARY R JONES on 12/22/11. (tss)

Download PDF
Page 1 of 2 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA GAINESVILLE DIVISION KARI L. SCHMIDT, Plaintiff, v. CASE NO. 1:11-cv-228-SPM-GRJ THE PANTRY, INC., Defendant. _____________________________/ ORDER On December 21, 2011 the Court conducted a hearing to address Plaintiff’s Motion For Remand, Motion For Attorney’s Fees & Costs, & Supporting Memorandum. (Doc. 6.) Plaintiff was represented by Daniel Perez of Bogin, Munns & Munns, P.A. and Defendant was represented by Richard Margulies of Jackson Lewis LLP. The sole issue for the court to determine in resolving Plaintiff’s Motion to Remand is whether the Defendant has established based upon a preponderance of the evidence that the amount in controversy in this case exceeds $75,000. Where, as here, a state statute provides for attorney's fees, such fees are included as part of the amount in controversy for removal purposes. Manguno v. Prudential Property and Cas. Ins. Co., 276 F.3d 720 (5th Cir. 2002); see also 14A Charles Allen Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice & Procedure § 3712 (2d ed. 1985). Because the record as to the amount of reasonable attorney’s fees is not fully developed, the Defendant will be afforded an opportunity to file additional information and/or affidavits on this issue. Additionally, the amount of back wages Plaintiff may be entitled to recover is a measure of damages the Court will look to in determining the amount in controversy. Page 2 of 2 Counsel for Plaintiff advised the Court at the hearing that the affidavit of Plaintiff, filed as an exhibit to Plaintiff’s Motion To Remand (Doc. 6-1), fails to include a full accounting of the wages Plaintiff earned after she was terminated by the Defendant. The Plaintiff therefore requested permission to file an amended and corrected affidavit. Accordingly, upon due consideration, it is ORDERED: 1. Defendant shall have January 9, 2012 to file additional information or affidavits on the issue of the amount of reasonable attorney’s fees to be included in the determination of the amount in controversy in this case. 2. Plaintiff shall have until January 9, 2012 to file an amended and corrected affidavit of Plaintiff, Kari Schmidt. 3. Defendant may file a response to the corrected affidavit on or before January 16, 2012. The Court will take the Motion To Remand under advisement after that date. DONE AND ORDERED this 22nd day of December, 2011. s/ Gary R. Jones s/GaryR.Jone GARY R. JONES United States Magistrate Judge Case No: 1:11-cv-228-SPM-GRJ

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?