Riggs et al v. Champion Truck Lines L L C et al

Filing 23

JURISDICTIONAL REVIEW FINDINGS: Accordingly, diversity jurisdiction is established. No further action is necessary at this time. This finding is preliminary in nature, and may be reconsidered sua sponte or upon appropriate motion. Signed by Magistrate Judge Joseph H L Perez-Montes on 11/7/2017. (crt,Putch, A)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
ALEXANDRIA DIVISION

c

RUSSELL RIGGS AND RAMADA
THOMPSON

CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:17-CV-01008

VERSUS

JUDGE DRELL

CHAMPION TRUCK LINES, LLC,

MAGISTRATE JUDGE PEREZ-MONTES

ET AL

JURISDICTIONAL REVIEW FINDINGS
Before the Court is a Complaint removed from a Louisiana state court by
Defendant Hallmark Specialty Insurance Company (“Hallmark”) premising federal
jurisdiction upon diversity of citizenship. (Doc. 1). In response to this Court’s Sua

Sponte Jurisdictional Briefing Order (Doc. 8), Hallmark filed a Memorandum
Regarding Diversity Jurisdiction. (Doc. 10). Plaintiffs Russel Riggs and Ramada
Thompson (“Plaintiffs”) filed a reply asserting the suit should be remanded to state
court. (Doc. 11). Thereafter, Plaintiffs filed a Motion to Remand. (Doc. 12). Plaintiffs
Motion to Remand will be addressed in a separate order.
“[S]ubject-matter jurisdiction, because it involves a court’s power to hear a
case, can never be forfeited or waived.” Arbaugh v. Y&H Corp., 546 U.S. 500, 514
(2006) (citing Ruhrgas AG v. Marathon Oil Co., 526 U.S. 574, 583 (1999)). The Court
has “an independent obligation to determine whether subject-matter jurisdiction
exists, even in the absence of a challenge from any party.” Id.
Plaintiffs are domiciled in Louisiana. (Doc. 1-3). Plaintiffs are citizens of
Louisiana. (Doc. 10-1).

Defendant Clifford Phelps (“Phelps”) is domiciled in Oklahoma (Doc. 1-3).
Phelps is a citizen of Oklahoma (Doc. 1-2).
Hallmark is incorporated in Oklahoma with its principal place of business in
Texas. (Doc. 10-1). Hallmark is a citizen of both Oklahoma and Texas. (Doc. 10-1).
Defendant Champion Truck Lines, LLC (“Champion”) is a limited liability
corporation, with its single member/manager being Brandon Foster (“Foster”). (Doc.
10-1). Brandon Foster is domiciled in Oklahoma. (Doc. 10-1). Champion is a citizen
of Oklahoma. (Doc. 10-1).
Accordingly, diversity jurisdiction is established.
necessary at this time.

No further action is

This finding is preliminary in nature, and may be

reconsidered sua sponte or upon appropriate motion.
7th
THUS DONE AND SIGNED in chambers in Alexandria, Louisiana, this _____
day of November, 2017.
____________________________________
Joseph H.L. Perez-Montes
United States Magistrate Judge