Hartsford Casualty Insurance Co. et al v. Bank of America, N.A et al

Filing 58

MEMORANDUM Opinion and Order. Signed by the Honorable James B. Zagel on 2/4/2015. (ep, )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
HARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE
CO. a/s/o ARDMORE ASSOCIATES, LLC,
HELLER & RICHMOND, LTD., BARRY
D. GOLDBERG d/b/a GOLDBERG &
GOLDBERG, LAW OFFICES OF HALL
ADAMS, RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE
COUNTY EMPLOYEES' ANNUITY AND
BENEFIT FUND AND KOMINIAREK,
BRESLER, HARVICK AND
GUDMUNDSON, LLC, HARTFORD FIRE
INSURANCE CO. a/s/o KIPP
FOUNDATION, and AMCO INSURANCE
COMPANY a/s/o KAVATHAS &
KASTANES,

No. 13 C 1707
Judge James B. Zagel

Plaintiffs,
v.
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., et al.,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Defendant Hilton Trading Corporation has filed a motion for leave to file a crossclaim
for contribution against Defendant Bank of America, N.A. For the following reasons, I am
granting the motion with the understanding that Hilton will not engage in any further discovery
related to its crossclaim.
This case is one of eight suits arising out of a fire in an office building in Chicago (the
“Fire Suits”). Hilton seeks leave to add a crossclaim against Bank of America for contribution in
order to force Bank of America to pay for its share of damages, if any. Hilton filed nearly
identical motions in two of the other Fire Suits, one before Judge Pallmeyer and the other before
Judge Leinenweber, with nearly identical briefing to the parties’ briefing on the present motion.
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Both Judge Pallmeyer and Judge Leinenweber granted the motion based upon Hilton’s
assurances that this motion will not generate additional discovery.
Hilton’s briefing on the present motion makes the same assurances that were offered to
Judge Pallmeyer and Judge Leinenweber. Based on Hilton’s promise to engage in no further
discovery related to its crossclaim, I grant the motion. Like Judge Pallmeyer and Judge
Leinenweber, I will hold Hilton to its promise.

ENTER:

James B. Zagel
United States District Judge
DATE: February 4, 2015

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