IN RE: Factory Sales and Engineering, Inc.
Filing
7
ORDER AND REASONS: IT IS ORDERED that Defendant's 1 motion to withdraw reference is hereby DENIED, as set forth in document. Signed by Judge Eldon E. Fallon on 1/11/2018. (jls)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
IN RE: FACTORY SALES AND ENGINEERING,
INC.
**********************************************
* NO. 17-11690
* SECTION L
*
* JUDGE ELDON E. FALLON
*
* MAG. JUDGE NORTH
*
ORDER & REASONS
Before the Court is Defendants’ motion to withdraw the reference. R. Doc. 1. Plaintiff
responds in opposition. R. Doc. 3. Having considered the parties’ briefs and the applicable law,
the Court issues this Order & Reasons.
I.
BACKGROUND
This case arises out of an alleged breach of contract for services. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1-
1 at 3. In August 2014, Plaintiff Factory Sales & Engineering, Inc. (“FSE”) entered into a services
agreement (“Agreement”) with Defendants American Sugar Refining, Inc. (“ASR”) and Florida
Crystals Corporation (“FCC”). No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1-1 at 3. The Agreement was amended in
January 2016. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1-1 at 4. On July 28, 2015, FCC, acting for its affiliate,
Defendant Osceola Farms Co. (“OFC”), executed a Statement of Work (“SOW”) under the
Agreement. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1-1 at 4. The Agreement provided a payment schedule allowing
Defendants to retain 10% of the contract price for the services until two weeks after the work was
completed. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1-1 at 4. The Agreement also allows Defendants to satisfy liens
on the serviced property from the retained 10%. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1-1 at 5.
Plaintiff FSE alleges that it authorized Defendants to pay off the four liens on the serviced
property and asked for the remaining retained payment. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1-1 at 5. Plaintiff
1
further alleges that Defendants have failed to pay the balance of the 10% retainage. Therefore,
Plaintiff claims damages for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1-1
at 5.
Defendants timely removed this case on the basis of diversity. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 1. On
September 29, 2017, this Court transferred the case to the District of the Bankruptcy Court because
Plaintiff was put into involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy. No. 17-5851, R. Doc. 11. Defendants now
move the Court to withdraw the reference to the bankruptcy court. R. Doc. 1. Pending before the
bankruptcy court is FSE’s motion for the bankruptcy estate to assume the relevant contract.
II.
PENDING MOTION
Defendants move to withdraw the reference to the bankruptcy court and transfer this case
to the Southern District of Florida. R. Doc. 1. First, Defendants argue that the reference should be
withdrawn because the matter is a non-core, Florida state law claim, the bankruptcy is involuntary,
and this Court will be required to review de novo the decision of the bankruptcy court. R. Doc. 1
at 5-6. Second, Defendants ask the Court to transfer the case because Florida law governs the
claims, evidence is located in the Southern District of Florida, Plaintiff conducted business in
Florida, Plaintiff is liquidating in bankruptcy, and Defendants are located in Florida. R. Doc. 1 at
6-7.
Plaintiff responds in opposition arguing that the withdrawal factors weigh against granting
Defendants’ motion. R. Doc. 3. First, Plaintiff argues that this contract claim is a core proceeding
because it will necessarily overlap with the bankruptcy court’s determination of the motion to
assume the contract. R. Doc. 3 at 8. Second, Plaintiff argues that because of these overlapping
issues, withdrawal of the claim from the bankruptcy court is likely to lead to inconsistent results,
disruption of the bankruptcy proceeding, and a waste of time and resources. R. Doc. 3 at 9-10.
2
Third, Plaintiff argues that it is not forum shopping because the contract was signed and partially
executed in Louisiana and it had no control over where the bankruptcy proceeding was filed by its
creditors. R. Doc. 3 at 11. Finally, Plaintiff argues that the lack of jury demand weighs against
withdrawal. R. Doc. 3 at 12.
Further, Plaintiff argues that this case should not be transferred because Defendants have
not met any requirements for transfer. R. Doc. 3 at 13. Plaintiff argues that transfer would not be
in the interests of justice because of the strong presumption of venue with the bankruptcy court
and inefficiencies that would result from withdrawal and transfer. R. Doc. 3 at 13. Plaintiffs also
argue that transfer of the case would cause inconvenience to all parties because they would be
required to try the overlapping issues in two courts. R. Doc. 3 at 14-15.
III.
LAW & ANALYSIS
a. Legal Standard
The provision for withdrawal of the reference from a bankruptcy court is found in 28
U.S.C. § 157(d). “The district court may withdraw, in whole or in part, any case or proceeding
referred under this section, on its own motion or on timely motion of any party, for cause
shown.” 28 U.S.C. § 157(d). To determine whether cause is shown to withdraw the reference,
district courts consider whether the matter is a core or a non-core proceeding. See Holland Am.
Ins. Co. v. Succession of Roy, 777 F.2d 922, 999 (5th Cir. 1985). Courts also consider several
other factors including: whether there is a jury demand, whether withdrawal would promote
uniformity in administration of the bankruptcy, whether withdrawal will reduce forum-shopping
and confusion, whether withdrawal will conserve resources, and whether withdrawal will
expedite the bankruptcy process. Id.
3
b. Discussion
i. Core or Non-Core Proceeding
When a matter is a non-core proceeding, the bankruptcy court has the authority to make
findings of fact and law regarding the non-core matter. However, these findings are subject to the
district court’s de novo review. In re United States Lines, Inc., 197 F.3d 631, 636 (2d Cir. 1999).
If the parties consent, the bankruptcy court may issue final orders and judgments on non-core
proceedings. Michaelesco v. Shefts, 303 B.R. 249, 252 (D. Conn. 2004). Here, Defendant argues
that the contract claims are non-core because they were filed outside of and are not dependent upon
the bankruptcy case. Generally, contract claims are non-core proceedings. However, when the
contract claim will impact other core proceedings in the bankruptcy, the contract proceeding may
be rendered a core proceeding. In re United States Lines, Inc., 197 F.3d at 638.
In In re OCA, Inc., et al., the Court held that “it [wa]s premature to find that this factor
favor[ed] withdrawal of the reference” when the bankruptcy court had not yet determined whether
the contract could be assumed by the bankruptcy estate. No. 06-3811, at *4, 2006 WL 4029578
(E.D. La. Sept. 19, 2006). Here, there is a motion to assume the contract before the bankruptcy
court. Determining whether to assume the contract “is a core function of the Bankruptcy Court.”
Id. (citing In re Wood, 824 F.2d 90, 95 (5th Cir. 1987)). Therefore, if this factor weighs in any
direction, it weighs against withdrawing the reference.
ii. Jury Demand
Here, there is no jury demand. Therefore, if this factor weighs in any direction, it weighs
against withdrawing the reference.
iii. Judicial Economy
The factors considering uniformity, reducing forum-shipping and confusion, conserving
4
resources, and expediting resolution of the bankruptcy matters speak to judicial economy. Here,
because the bankruptcy court is required to evaluate the merits of the contract claim in
consideration of the motion to assume the contract, if the Court were to withdraw the reference, it
would create the potential for different and possibly inconsistent results. Furthermore, it would
require consideration of this claim by multiple courts. This would create a redundancy and waste
of resources by both the judiciary and the parties. Defendants argue that trying this matter in
Louisiana is a waste of resources because witnesses and evidence are in Florida. However, trying
the matter twice would be a greater waste of resources because the parties will need to travel to
Louisiana for the bankruptcy proceedings either way and would then try identical issues a second
time in district court either in Louisiana or Florida. Finally, Plaintiff Factory Sales has not chosen
this forum for the bankruptcy proceedings as it was put into bankruptcy involuntarily. Therefore,
forum-shopping and confusion are not concerns in this case.
Accordingly, consideration of the appropriate factors does not support withdrawal of the
reference at this time.
IV.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above,
IT IS ORDERED that Defendant’s motion to withdraw reference, R. Doc. 1, is hereby DENIED.
New Orleans, Louisiana this 11th day of January, 2018.
________________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
5
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?