Hundley v. MidAmerica Hotels Corporation

Filing 11

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER. (See Full Order.)IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, by May 24, 2024, plaintiff shall file an amended complaint in accordance with this memorandum. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if plaintiff does not timely and fully comply with this order, this matter will be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all other proceedings in this case are STAYED pending further order of this Court. (Amended/Supplemental Pleadings due by 5/24/2024.) Signed by Magistrate Judge Abbie Crites-Leoni on 5/10/2024. (CBL)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
SOUTHEASTERN DIVISION
DAVID HUNDLEY,
Plaintiff,
v.
MIDAMERICA HOTELS CORP.,
Defendant.

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Case No. 1:24-cv-82-ACL

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on review of the file. The Eighth Circuit has
admonished district courts to “be attentive to a satisfaction of jurisdictional requirements
in all cases.” Sanders v. Clemco Indus., 823 F.2d 214, 216 (8th Cir. 1987). “In every
federal case the court must be satisfied that it has jurisdiction before it turns to the merits
of other legal arguments.” Carlson v. Arrowhead Concrete Works, Inc., 445 F.3d 1046,
1050 (8th Cir. 2006). “A plaintiff who seeks to invoke diversity jurisdiction of the
federal courts must plead citizenship distinctly and affirmatively.” 15 James Wm.
Moore, et al., Moore’s Federal Practice § 102.31 (3d ed. 2010).
The Complaint in this case asserts that the Court has jurisdiction over the action
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332 because the lawsuit is between citizens of different States
and the matter in controversy exceeds the sum of $75,000. However, plaintiff alleges
that he is “an individual residing in Jonesboro, Arkansas.” [Doc. 1 at ¶ 1.] The complaint
does not appear to allege plaintiff’s citizenship. Alleging residence is insufficient for

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purposes of determining whether diversity jurisdiction exists. See Reece v. Bank of New
York Mellon, 760 F.3d 771, 777-78 (8th Cir. 2014).

Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, by May 24, 2024, plaintiff shall file an
amended complaint in accordance with this memorandum.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if plaintiff does not timely and fully comply
with this order, this matter will be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all other proceedings in this case are
STAYED pending further order of this Court.
Dated this 10th day of May, 2024.
/s/ Abbie Crites-Leoni_______________

ABBIE CRITES-LEONI
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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