Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc.

Filing 134

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER granting 101 Motion for Summary Judgment: This memorandum and order should be read in conjunction with the order granting, for lack of personal jurisdiction, the motion to dismiss of third-party defendant Nuvolari-Lenard Na val Design. See Memorandum and Order, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 11, 2012), CM/ECF No. 133 . Summary judgment is granted in favor of Marquis. No costs or disbursements. This litigation shall proceed as follows. Th e claims asserted against third-party defendants Staten Island and Carver Boat Corporation, LLC -- as Genmar was known before changing its name-are dismissed. No theory of liability on the part of Staten Island, the company that purchased the Bri anna from the manufacturer before selling it to Rienzi, has been propounded. Carver Boat Corporation, LLC is dismissed as a defendant since it and Genmar are one and the same. Any claims asserted against anonymous defendants are without merit and are dismissed. Remaining in this litigation as parties are (I) Lyons, the original plaintiff; (2) Rienzi, the original defendant; (3) and Genmar, the manufacturer of the Brianna, to the limited extent that it is protected by insurance. Jury select ion in this case will commence on May 21, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. Trial will begin the following day. All in limine and other outstanding motions will be heard on May 11,2012, at 10:00 a.m. By May 4, 2012, the parties will exchange and provide to the cou rt (I) witness lists and summaries of proposed testimony; (2) marked documents and lists of exhibits; (3) experts' reports, if expert witnesses are to be called; and (4) proposed jury charges. Daubert hearings, if requested, will be held on M ay 11. Any further dispositive motions will be heard on that date. In the interim, the case is respectfully referred to the magistrate judge for mediation or other settlement procedures. Ordered by Senior Judge Jack B. Weinstein, on 4/12/2012. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits A-B) (Barrett, C)

fiLED

IN CLERK'S OFFICE
U .S . OISTRICT COURT ED.N.Y.

*

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

APR 1 2 2012

BROOKLYN OF FtCI':

KELLY M. LYONS,

MEMORANDUM
AND ORDER
Plaintiff,
-

,

09-CV-4253

. /
aga,m~t/ ./

*

.

RIENZI & SONS, INC.,
Defendant.

RIENZI & SONS, INC.,
Third-Party Plaintiff,
- againstSTATEN ISLAND YACHT SALES, INC.,
GENMAR YACHT GROUP LLC, f/d/b/a CARVER
BOAT CORPORATION LLC, MARQUIS
YACHTS, LLC, CARVER BOAT CORPORATION
LLC, DONALD L. BLOUNT & ASSOCIATES,
NUVOLARI-LENARD NAVAL DESIGN, and
DOES 1 through 5,
Third-Party Defendants.

Appearances:
For the Plaintiff:
Paul T. Hofmann
Hofinann & Schweitzer
New York, NY
For the Third-Party Plaintiff:
John F. Karpousis
Susan Lee
1

~,l'

=.,/
,,-"

~/

Freehill, Hogan & Mahar LLP
New York, NY
For Third-Party Defendant Marquis Yachts,LLC:
Jeffrey D. Smith
VarnumLLP
Kalamazoo, MI

JACK B. WEINSTEIN, Senior United States District Judge:
Table of Contents

I.

Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 3

II.

Facts and Procedural History .............................................................................................. 5

A.

The Manufacture of the Brianna, Her Purchase by Rienzi, and Her Warranty ............... 5

B.

The Bankruptcy of Gemnar and the Creation of Marquis ................................................ 6

C.

The Approval Order and the Asset Purchase ................................................................... 7

D.

Subsequent Bankruptcy Proceedings and Relief from the Automatic Stay ................... 10

E.

Hearing on Motion for Summary Judgment .................................................................. 11

III.

Law ................................................................................................................................... 11

A.

Summary Judgment Standard ........................................................................................ 11

B.

Choice of Law ................................................................................................................ 12

C.

Successor Liability ......................................................................................................... 14

1.

Effect of Bankruptcy Sale Order on Successor Liability ........................................... 14

2.

Common-Law Background ........................................................................................ 15

3.

The Jones Act, FELA, and Successor Liability: Federal Common Law .................... IS

4.

Admiralty Claims and Federal Common Law ............................................................ 16

D.

Enforcement ofForurn Selection Clauses ...................................................................... 17

IV.

Application of Law to Facts .............................................................................................. 17

A.

Preliminary Considerations ............................................................................................ 17

B.

Direct Liability ............................................................................................................... 18

C.

Successor Liability of Marquis ...................................................................................... 19

1.

Effect of Limited Relieffrom Stay on the Approval Order ....................................... 19

2.

Successor Liability: Federal Common Law and New York Law ............................... 20

2

.'\:t/
V.

Conclusion on Motion for Summary Judgment.. .............................................................. 22

VI.

Future Proceedings ............................................................................................................ 22

I.

Introduction
Plaintiff, a seafarer, was allegedly injured when he slipped and fell on the deck of the

yacht on which he was working. He contends that the cause was a design defect-a slippery
surface. He sued the vessel's owner, who claimed against other defendants; plaintiff later added
his own claims against the same third-party defendants. They include the manufacturer and the
intermediate seller ofthe yacht.
Raised in this seemingly simple tort case are a variety of areas of procedural and
substantive law, including admiralty, insurance, the federal statute intended to protect seafarers,
bankruptcy, the state and federal common law of products liability and successor responsibility,
and conflict oflaws-a veritable jurisprudential bouillabaisse. A central consideration is the
overriding national policy requiring the compensation of workers aboard vessels for injuries
suffered during the course of their employment.
This memorandum and order should be read in conjunction with the order granting, for
lack of personal jurisdiction, the motion to dismiss of third-party defendant Nuvolari-Lenard
Naval Design. See Memorandum and Order, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-42S3
(E.D.N.Y. Apr. 11,2012), CMlECF No. 133.
Kelly Lyons sued defendant Rienzi & Sons, Inc. ("Rienzi"), alleging that he was
employed by Rienzi as the skipper and sole deckhand of a yacht-the Brianna-owned by
defendant, and that, in August 2008, he was injured after slipping and falling while working
aboard the vessel. See Photographs of Yacht, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-42S3

3

(E.D.N.Y. Apr. 3, 2012), CMlECF No. 130-5; see also Ex. B (showing the portion of the yacht
where plaintiff allegedly fell).
Lyons contends that his injuries are attributable to Rienzi's negligence. Asserted is a
claim brought pursuant to the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 30104 et seq. Lyons also presses claims for
maintenance and cure pursuant to general maritime law. See Complaint, Lyons v. Rienzi &
Sons, inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 2, 2009), CMlECF No.1.
Rienzi later brought a third-party complaint pursuant to Rule 14 of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure against the manufacturer, the intermediate seller, and the designer of the
Brianna, as well as third-party defendant and present movant Marquis Yachts, LLC ("Marquis"),

an alleged successor to the manufacturer. Rienzi asserted various product liability claims against
Marquis in its third-party complaint, contending that if it were held to be liable to Lyons, the
third-party defendants, including Marquis, should be required to contribute to any judgment
against it or to indemnifY it entirely. See Third-Party Complaint, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc.,
No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 14,2011), CMlECF No. 14. Lyons, the original plaintiff, then
brought his own claims against the third-party defendants. See Plaintiff's Rule 14(a) Claims
Against Third-Party Defendants, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. June
10,2011), CMJECF No. 42; see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 14(c) (impleader of admiralty or maritime
claims); Burke v. Quick Lift, Inc., 464 F. Supp. 2d 150, 161 n.l 0 (E.D.N. Y. 2006).
Jurisdiction over Lyons' Jones Act claim is exercised pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331; his
complaint includes a jury trial demand. See, e.g., 0 'Donnell v. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co.,
318 U.S. 36, 43 (1943); Holloway v. Pagan River Dockside Seafood, 669 F.3d 448, 451 (4th Cir.
2012). Jurisdiction over Lyons' claims for maintenance and cure, and Rienzi's third-party

4

claims, is exercised pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367. See Romero v. Int'l Terminal Operating Co.,
358 U.S. 354, 380-81 (1959).
Marquis filed the present motion for summary judgment in February 2012, seeking
dismissal of the claims of Lyons and Rienzi. It contends that any claims asserted against it
directly should be dismissed since it was not the designer, seller, or manufacturer of the Brianna;
it also argues that it should not be held liable as a successor to the vessel's manufacturer, since it
did not assume the liability asserted against it when it purchased the manufacturer's assets.
For the reasons stated below, the motion for summary judgment is granted.

II.

Facts and Procedural History
A. The Manufacture of the Brianna, Her Purchase by Rienzi, and Her Warranty
The Brianna was built in Wisconsin in February 2006 by third-party defendant Genmar

Yacht Group, LLC ("Genmar"), formerly known as Carver Boat Corporation, LLC. See Rule
56.1 Statement of Third-Party Defendant Marquis Yachts, LLC ("Marquis 56.1 Stmt.")" 9-10,
Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012), CMlECF No. 101-1;
Dep. of Michael Rienzi ("M. Rienzi Dep.") 15, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253
(E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012), CMlECF No. 101-8. Third-party defendant Staten Island Yacht Sales,
Inc. ("Staten Island"), a New York corporation, purchased the vessel from Genmar; Rienzi then
purchased the Brianna from Staten Island. See M. Rienzi Dep. 13-14. The Brianna was
delivered to Rienzi by Staten Island in New York in May 2006. See Marquis 56.1 Stmt., 12; M.
Rienzi Dep. 15.
The Brianna's limited warranty-registered by Rienzi with Staten Island in Juoe 2006purported to provide Rienzi with a number of narrow rights against the vessel's manufacturer; it
stated that the yacht would "be free from defects in material and workmanship." See Limited
Warranty for New 2006 Model Year Marquis Yachts, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV5

4253 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 19,2012), CMlECF No. 1I4-\. The warranty did not extend to design
defects for slippery work surfaces. See id
The docwnent's forum selection clause purported to limit Rienzi' s ability to bring an
action "under or relating to" the limited warranty, or for the breach of any implied warranty. It
stated that any action by Rienzi for breach of warranty was required to be brought in the Circuit
Court for Brown County, Wisconsin, or in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Wisconsin. See id

~

7.

B. The Bankruptcy of Genmar and the Creation of Marquis
In June 2009, Genmar-along with its parent company, Genmar Holdings, Inc., and a
nwnber of affiliated companies-filed for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for
the District of Minnesota. The cases were consolidated for efficient administration. See Marquis
56.1 Stmt. ~ 16; Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiffs Counter-Statement of Material Facts
("Rienzi 56.1 Stm!.") ~ 2, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 19,
2012), CMlECF No. 115; Notice of Bankruptcy Case Filing, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No.
09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012), CMlECF No. 101-4. In November 2009, the parent
company, accompanied by various debtors, filed a motion seeking approval to sell substantially
all of Genmar' s assets at a competitive auction pursuant to II U.S.C. § 363(1). See Rienzi 56.1
Stmt. ~ 5. That motion was granted by the bankruptcy court in December 2009. See id

~

6.

Notice of the auction was published in two newspapers in December 2009; it was held
the following month. See id

~

7. Irwin Jacobs, the founder, principal shareholder, and fonner

CEO of Genmar's parent, participated in the auction; he bid on behalf of J&D Acquisitions, LLC
("J&D Acquisitions"), a company that he had founded with another individual in December
2009. See id J&D Acquisitions had been fonned to bid on a number of the parent company's

6

assets, including those of Genmar. See Aff. of Larry H. Volz ("Volz Aff.") 'lI6, Lyons v. Rienzi
& Sons, Inc. , No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012), CMlECFNo. 101-2.
J&D Acquisition's bid for Genmar's assets was successful. See Rienzi 56.1 Stmt. 'liS;

see a/so Debtors' Report on the Auction Sale 'lI4B, In re Genmar Holdings, Inc., No. 09-43537
(Bankr. D. Minn. Jan 11,2010), CMIECF No. 662. Shortly after J&D Acquisitions was declared
by the debtors to be the winner of the auction, an affiliated company, Carver Acquisition, LLC
("Carver Acquisition"), was formed pursuant to Minnesota law. See Certificate of Organization,
Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012), CMlECF No. 101-3.
Carver Acquisition then amended its articles of incorporation; its name was changed to Marquis
Yachts, LLC. See Amendment of Articles of Organization, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No.
09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012), CMlECF No. 101-3.

c.

The Approval Order and the Asset Purchase

Overruling objections raised by the unsecured creditors committee, see Objection to
Motion for Orders 'lI'lI10-12, 16-24, In re Genmar Holdings, Inc., No. 09-43537 (Bankr. D. Minn.
Jan 11 , 2010), CMlECF No. 656, the bankruptcy court in mid-January 2010 issued an order,
pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 363(t), approving both the sale and the proposed asset purchase
agreement that had been submitted by various Genmar companies, Carver Acquisition, and J&D
Acquisitions. See Rienzi 56.1 Stmt. 'lI9; Order Authorizing Debtors to Sell Assets Free and
Clear of Liens, Claims, Interests and Encumbrances to Buyer in Accordance with Asset Purchase
Agreement ("Approval Order"), Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb.
6, 2012), CMlECF No. 101-5.
Numerous findings of fact and conclusions oflaw were made in the bankruptcy court's
Approval Order. All parties in interest, the court concluded, had been given a reasonable

7

opportunity to object and to be heard regarding the sale. See Approval Order ~~ I, K. The court
found that the auction process utilized was fair, that Mr. Jacobs' status as an "insider," see 11
U.S.C. § IOI(31)(B), had been fully disclosed, and that the proposed asset purchase agreement
constituted the highest and best offer for the assets that were to be sold. See Approval Order
~~

L-N. No other person, entity, or group of entities, the court stated, had made a better offer-

that is, one of greater economic value-to purchase the assets. Id.

~

O. The consideration

provided by J&D Acquisitions and its affiliates, the court concluded, exceeded the liquidation
value of the purchased assets; the court further determined that the sale of the assets in
accordance with the Approval Order was in the best interest of all parties in interest. See id.

~

P.

Adopted by the bankruptcy court were a number of conclusions relevant to J&D
Acquisitions' liabilities-and those of its affiliates--as a result of the sale. The court expressly
found that the proposed transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement were not to
be entered into for the purpose of effectuating a fraudulent conveyance. See id.

~

Q. The

debtors, the court concluded, were authorized to sell the assets free and clear of liens, claims,
encumbrances, and interests, pursuant to II U.S.C. § 363(t). See id.

~

T. Except for certain

expressly assumed liabilities (none of which related to claims in the present case), the court
stated that the transfer of the acquired assets would not subject J&D Acquisitions and its
affiliates to any lien, claim, encumbrance or interest, including tort claims. See id.

id.

~~

~

U; see also

AA, FF. The court determined that the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase

agreement would not be consummated but for J&D Acquisitions' and its affiliates' ability to
purchase the assets free and clear of liens, claims, encumbrances, and interests "including, but
not limited to, successor liability." Id.

~

W (emphasis added). And the court expressly found

8

.1['f.

that neither J&D Acquisitions nor its affiliates were to be deemed successors to Genmar, stating
that:

Neither the Buyer nor its affiliates shall be deemed, as a result of any action taken
in connection with the purchase of the Acquired Assets, to: (1) be a successor (or
other such similarly situated party) to any of the Debtors (other than with respect
to the Assumed Liabilities as expressly stated in the [asset purchase agreement];
(2) have, de facto or otherwise, merged with or into any of the Debtors; (3) be a
mere continuation of the Debtors or their estates (and there is no continuity of
enterprise between the Buyer and the Debtors); or (4) be holding itself out to the
public as a continuation of the Debtors. The Buyer is not acquiring or assuming
any liability, warranty or other obligation of the Debtors, except as expressly set
forth in the [asset purchase agreement] with respect to the Assumed Liabilities.
Id.

~

GG (emphases added; "de facto" italicized in original).
The Approval Order included a comprehensive provision that purported to transfer the

acquired assets "free and clear" of all claims and causes of action that might have been asserted
against Genmar. See id.

~

9. The Bankruptcy Code defines "claim" in relevant part to mean a

"right to payment, whether or not such right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated,
fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or
unsecured." II V.S.C. § 101(5)(A).
The bankruptcy court also stated expressly that the transfer of the acquired assets
pursuant to the Approval Order would

not subject the Buyer to any liability with respect to any obligations incurred in
connection with, or in any way related to the Acquired Assets, prior to the date of
the Closing ... based, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, on any theory of
law or equity, including, without limitation, any theory of equitable subordination
or successor or transferee liability.
Id. ~ II (emphasis added).

The asset purchase agreement was signed shortly after issuance of the Approval Order.

Mr. Jacobs, representing J&D Acquisitions and its affiliates, executed the agreement in his
capacity as the buying company's chief executive officer. See Rienzi 56.1 Stmt.
9

~

10; Asset

Purchase Agreement, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012),
CMlECF No. 101-5. J&D Acquisitions and its affiliates agreed to assume limited liabilities
incurred by the sellers, as set forth in Section 1.3 and Schedule 1.3(c) of the agreement; included
in the list of assumed liabilities were "[plost-petition dealer warranty claims." Asset Purchase
Agreement Schedule 1.3(c); see also Rienzi 56.1 Stmt. '\110.
D. Subsequent Bankruptcy Proceedings and Relief from the Automatic Stay
Filed in March 20 lOin the bankruptcy court by the Genmar entities was a motion seeking
to be relieved of their obligations under a number of executory contracts, including a dealer
agreement with Staten Island, and all warranty contracts. Rienzi 56.1 Strnt. '\110. The motion
was granted in late March 2010. See id In November 2010, Genmar's Chapter II
reorganization was converted into a Chapter 7 liquidation. See id '\112.
In early April 2011, Rienzi filed a proof of claim in Genmar's bankruptcy action.
Attached as Rienzi's proof of claim was the third-party complaint that it filed in the present
action. See Proof of Claim, In re Genmar Yacht Group, LLC, No. 09-43556 (Bankr. D. Minn.
Apr. 7,2011), Claims Register No. 510. In August 2011, Rienzi filed a motion with the
bankruptcy court seeking relief from the statutorily-required automatic stay of litigation, see II
U.S.C. § 362, so that it could proceed against Genmar in the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of New York. See Rienzi 56.1 Strnt. '\116.
In September 2011, the bankruptcy court partially lifted the stay, granting Lyons and
Rienzi permission to continue the prosecution of the present action. See Order for Relief from
Stay '\12, In re Genmar Yacht Group, LLC, No. 09-43556 (Bankr. D. Minn. Apr. 7, 2011),
CMlECF No. 118. Lyons-the original plaintiff in this action-and Rienzi were authorized to
continue the present litigation "to obtain a recovery based upon any settlement and/or judgment

10

entered in favor of either or both of them against [the third-party defendants in this caselfrom
proceeds of any applicable liability insurance" policy or policies. Id '\[2 (emphasis added).

Lyons and Rienzi were prohibited, however, from recovering directly from Genmar. See id The
bankruptcy court's grant of relief from the automatic stay was recognized in the present case in
December 2011, allowing the litigation against the third-party defendants to proceed. See
Certification and Order of Limited Relief from Stay Under 11 U.S.C. § 362, Lyons v. Rienzi &
Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 13,2011), CMlECF No. 90.

E. Hearing on Motion for Summary Judgment
Oral argument on Marquis' motion for summary judgment proceeded in April 2012. In
response to questions propounded by the court, see Scheduling Order, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons,
Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 3, 2012), CMlECF No. 128, counsel for Marquis
contended that the company is different in many respects than Genmar. See Transcript of April
10,2012 Hearing ("Hr'g Tr.") 31-43. Based on the evidence now in the record and uncontested
statements made at the hearing on the present motion, it is found as a fact that Marquis is a
different company than Genmar. The ownership of the firms is different. Marquis manufactures
some, but not all, of the boats that Genmar did. New contracts were negotiated with suppliers.
Some ofGenmar's workers were hired by Marquis, but the new company's staff is half the size
of that of Genmar, and some new workers were hired. The new company never held itself out as
a successor. The ownership, management, and operations of Marquis are substantially different
than that of Genmar. See Hr'g Tr. 31-43. No convincing evidence contrary to these findings of
fact is in the record.
A chronology summarizing the facts is attached as Exhibit A.
III.

Law

A. Summary Judgment Standard
11

Summary judgment is appropriate only if "there is no genuine dispute as to any material
fact and if the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter oflaw." Anderson v. Liberty
Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 250 (1986); see, e.g., Mitchell v. Washingtonville Cent. Sch. Dist., 190

F.3d 1, 5 (2d Cir. 1999). It is warranted when, after construing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party and drawing all reasonable inferences in its favor, there is no
genuine issue as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see Anderson, 477 U.S. at 247-50,255.
The burden rests on the moving party to demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of
material fact. Goenaga v. March o/Dimes De/ects Found., 51 F.3d 14, 18 (2d Cir. 1995); see,
e.g., Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 (1986). "In determining whether that burden

has been met, the court is required to resolve all ambiguities and credit all factual inferences that
could be drawn in favor of the party against whom summary judgment is sought." Vivenzio v.
City o/Syracuse, 611 F.3d 98,106 (2d Cir. 2010).

B. Choice of Law
In federal question cases, federal courts generally apply a federal-law-as opposed to a
state-Iaw--choice oflaw analysis to determine which jurisdiction' s substantive law is applicable.
Pescatore v. Pan Am. World Airways, Inc., 97 F.3d 1, 12-15 (2d Cir. 1996); see, e.g.,
SmithiEnron Cogeneration Ltd. P'ship v. Smith Cogeneration Int'l, Inc., 198 F.3d 88, 95-96 (2d

Cir. 1999); Corporacion Venezolana de Fomento v. Vintero Sales Corp., 629 F.2d 786, 795 (2d
Cir. 1980). Federal choice of law rules require a court to "determine which ... law to use by
ascertaining and valuing points of contact between the transaction giving rise to the cause of
action and the states or governments whose competing laws are involved." Advani Enters., Inc.
v. Underwriters at Lloyds, 140 F.3d 157, 162 (2d Cir. 1998) (internal quotation marks and

12

bracketing omitted). Federal courts frequently use the factors enunciated by the Restatement
(Second) of Conflict of Laws in making this determination. See Pescatore, 97 F.3d at 12.
Since the claims in this case-with the exception of Lyons' Jones Act claim and Rienzi's
claims for breach of express and implied warranty-are premised on injuries theoretically
suffered at sea, the substantive law to be applied is admiralty or maritime law. See, e.g., Becker
v. Poling Transp. Co. , 356 F.3d 381, 388 (2d Cir. 2004); Sundance Cruises Corp. v. Am. Bureau

o/Shipping, 7 F.3d 1077, 1081 (2d Cir. 1993); cf Exxon Shipping Co. v. Baker, 554 U.S. 471,
508 n.21 (2008); E. River. 80S Corp. v. Transamerica Deloval Inc., 476 U.S. 858, 864-66
(1986). The federal common law of admiralty essentially tracks New York substantive law
principles. See, e.g. , Becker, 356 F.3d at 388. The parties have agreed that the applicable
maritime law doctrines in this case are identical to their New York counterparts. See Hr'g Tr.
47-48.
The breach of warranty claims are nonmaritime. See, e.g., The Ada, 250 F. 194, 195 (2d
Cir. 1918); see also CTI-Container Leasing Corp. v. Oceanic Operations Corp., 682 F.2d 377,
380 n.4 (2d Cir. 1982); Polestar Maritime Ltd. v. Nanjing Ocean Shipping Co., 631 F. Supp. 2d
304,306-07 (S.D.N.Y. 2009). The parties assume that New York law applies to those claims.

Compare Memorandum of Law in Support of Third Party Defendant Marquis Yacht, LLC's
Renewed Motion for Summary Judgment 3-4, 9-10, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV4253 (B.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012), CMlECF No. 101-10, with Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff's
Memorandum in Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment Filed by Third-Party Defendant
Marquis Yachts LLC ("Rienzi Mem.") 10-11, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253
(E.D.N.Y. Mar. 19,2012), CMlECF No. 114. New York law will be applied to the breach of

13

warranty claims on consent. See, e.g., Arch Ins. Co. v. Precision Stone, Inc., 584 F.3d 33, 39 (2d
Cir. 2009) (noting that implied consent is sufficient to establish choice of law).
C. Successor Liability

1. Effect of Bankruptcy Sale Order on Successor Liability
II U.S.C. § 363(f) provides that a bankruptcy trustee "may sell property . . . free and
clear of any interest in such property of an entity other than the estate" if one of a number of
certain specified conditions are met. These are:
(I) applicable nonbankruptcy law permits sale of such property free and clear of
such interest;
(2) such entity consents;
(3) such interest is a lien and the price at which such property is to be sold is
greater than the aggregate value of all liens on such property;
(4) such interest is in a bona fide dispute; or
(5) such entity could be compelled, in a legal or equitable proceeding, to accept a
money satisfaction of such interest.

11 U.S.C. § 363(f)(1)-(5).
Section 363(f) authorizes a bankruptcy court "to absolve the buyer [of a bankrupt estate's
assets] of in personam liability for pre-confirmation claims in a chapter II case." In re

Grumman Olson Indus. , Inc., 445 B.R. 243, 255 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2011) (emphasis is original).
"Where the successor corporation purchases the assets of a bankrupt entity, it is appropriate to
look at the relevant purchase documents, and to consider the policies of the bankruptcy laws
when determining the successor liability issue. An asset purchase agreement that specifically

/

negates facts that might otherwise support successor liability is entitled to enforcement." Doktor

v. Werner Co., 762 F. Supp. 2d 494, 498 (E.D.N.Y. 2011); see also In re Chrysler LLC, 576 F.3d
108, 124-26 (2d Cir. 2009), vacated sub nom. on other grounds by Ind. State Police Pension

Trust v. Chrysler LLC, 130 S. Ct. 1015 (2009) (mem.). A bankruptcy court's order approving
the sale of assets serves to "enjoin existing claimants' successor liability claims against the
14

purchaser pursuant to section 363(t)." In re Motors Liquidation Co., 428 B.R. 43, 59 (Bankr.
S.D.N.Y. 2010).

2. Common-Law Background
"The purchaser of the assets, as distinct from the stock, of a corporation generally does
not acquire the seller's liabilities, even if all the assets are transferred by the sale so that in effect
the entire business has been sold, and the purchaser intends to continue it as a going concern."

EEOC v. G-K-G, Inc., 39 F.3d 740, 747 (7th Cir. 1994). Four exceptions have been recognized
to help ameliorate potential inequity resulting from the common-law rule. A "corporation
acquiring the assets of another corporation only takes on its liabilities if any of the following
apply: the successor expressly or impliedly agrees to assume them; the transaction may be
viewed as a de facto merger or consolidation; the successor is a mere continuation of the
predecessor; or the transaction is fraudulent." New York v. Nat'/ Servs. Indus., Inc., 352 F.3d
682,685 (2d Cir. 2003); see, e.g., Schumacher v. Richards Shear Co., 451 N.E.2d 195, 198
(1983) (explaining that New York utilizes the traditional rule and its exceptions); John H.
Matheson. Successor Liability, 96 Minn. L. Rev. 371,383-94 (2011) (discussing each of the
exceptions to the traditional rule).

3. The Jones Act, FELA, and Successor Liability: Federal Common Law
The Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 30 I 04 et seq., does not address directly the issue of successor
liability. The statute provides in relevant part that:
A seaman injured in the course of employment ... may elect to bring a civil

action at law, with the right of trial by jury, against the employer. Laws ofthe
United States regulating recover for personal injury to, or death of, a railway
employee apply to an action under this section.
46 U.S.C. § 30104.

15

The Supreme Court has "held that the Jones Act adopts 'the entire judicially developed
doctrine of liability'" of the Federal Employers' Liability Act ("the FELA"), 45 U.S.c. § 51 et
seq., the federal law cross-referenced in 46 U.S.C. § 30104. Am. Dredging Co. v. Miller, 5\0

U.S. 443, 456 (1994) (quoting Kernan v. Am. Dredging Co., 355 U.S. 426, 439 (1958»; see, e.g.,
Harrington v. Atl. Sounding Co., 602 F.3d 113,119 (2d Cir. 2010).

Federal courts have utilized their power to develop federal common law in interpreting
and applying the FELA. See Morant v. Long Island R.R., 66 F.3d 518, 522-23 (2d Cir. 1995);
see also Metro-North Commuter R. Co. v. Buckley, 521 U.S. 424, 429 (1997); Consol. R. Corp.

v. Gottshall, 512 U.S. 532, 558 (Souter, J., concurring) (noting that the federal courts' duty "in
interpreting FELA" is "to develop a federal common law of negligence ... , informed by
reference to the evolving common law.").
The FELA is to be "liberally construed" to further Congress' remedial goal-that is, the
equitable apportionment, as between workers and employers, of liabilities resulting from railroad
accidents. See Gottshall, 512 U.S. at 542, 543. "[A]lthough common-law prinCiples are not
necessarily dispositive of questions arising under FELA, unless they are expressly rejected in the
text of the statute, they are entitled to great weight in [a court's] analysis." Id. at 544. If the
FELA is silent on a given issue, "common-law principles must playa significant role" in the
fashioning of a federal common-law rule. Id. The FELA, like the Jones Act, does not directly
address the question of successor liability.
4. Admiralty Claims and Federal Common Law
The "federal jUdiciary traditionally has had a more expansive role to play in the
development of maritime law than in the development of non-maritime federal common law."
Senator Linie GMBH & Co. KG v. Sunway Line, Inc., 291 F.3d 145, 167 (2d Cir. 2002). The

16

Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has concluded that the federal courts' "power to fashion
rules of federal common law" applicable to admiralty claims is "well established." Chemung
Canal Trust Co. v. Sovran Bank/Maryland, 939 F.2d 12, 17 (2d Cir. 1991).

D. Enforcement of Forum Selection Clauses
The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has set forth a four-part test to be used in
determining whether to dismiss a claim based on a contract's forum selection clause:
The first inquiry is whether the clause was reasonably communicated to the party
resisting enforcement. The second step requires us to classifY the clause as
mandatory or permissive, Le., to decide whether the parties are required to bring
any dispute to the designated forum or simply permitted do to so. Part three asks
whether the claims and parties involved in the suit are subject to the forum
selection clause.
If the forum selection clause was communicated to the resisting party, has
mandatory force and covers the claims and parties involved in the dispute, it is
presumptively enforceable. The fourth, and final, step is to ascertain whether the
resisting party has rebutted the presumption of enforceability by making a
sufficiently strong showing that enforcement would be unreasonable or unjust, or
that the clause was invalid for such reasons as fraud or overreaching.
Phillips v. Audio Active Ltd., 494 F.3d 378, 383-84 (2d Cir. 2007) (internal quotation marks and
citation omitted).

IV.

Application of Law to Facts
A. Preliminary Considerations
As an initial matter, it is not crystal clear from the summary judgment papers whether and

how Marquis-as opposed to J&D Acquisitions-acquired the Genmar assets relevant to this
case. See Volz Aff. ,; 8 (noting that Marquis "was formed as a designated affiliate of J&D
Acquisitions, LLC to acquire and operate the Acquired Assets"); Rienzi 56.1 Strnt. ,; 19 (stating
that "[t]ollowing the transfer of the assets, MARQUIS has continued the business of Genmar
Yacht, including production of the "Marquis Yachts" product line"). Marquis has not suggested

17

·
that it does not own the relevant assets or that it is an improper party in interest. The case will
proceed on the assumption that Marquis is the proper party.

It need not be determined whether the bankruptcy court's Approval Order operates to
enjoin completely the continued prosecution of this suit by Lyons and Rienzi. Arguably, the
Approval Order is ambiguous on this point; it purports to enjoin all litigation "against .. . the
Buyer of any kind and nature with respect to the Debtors or the Acquired Assets or the
operations of the Debtors prior to the Closing Date." Approval Order ~ 10. Since the claims of
Lyons and Rienzi must fail for the reasons set forth below, it need not be conclusively
determined whether Marquis qualifies as a "Buyer" pursuant to the injunction; and, as noted
above, it is not clear from the present record how Marquis came to be in control of Genmar' s
assets. In any event, in September 20 II, the bankruptcy court expressly authorized Lyons and
Rienzi to continue their prosecution of the instant litigation, limiting potential recovery from
Genmar to proceeds from applicable liability insurance policies. See Order for Relief from Stay
~

I, In re Genmar Yacht Group, LLC, No. 09-43556 (Bankr. D. Minn. Sept. 6,2011), CMlECF

No. 118.
B. Direct Liability
Neither nor Lyons nor Rienzi have suggested that Marquis could be found directly liable
for Genmar's alleged manufacturing misdeeds. Instead, their claims are premised on a theory of
successor liability. See Rienzi Mem. 10-11; Plaintiffs Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss by
Marquis ~ 2, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N .Y. Mar. 21, 2012), CMlECF
No. 118 (stating that "[sjignificant questions exist as to whether Marquis has successor liability
to Genmar despite its purchase agreement"). To the extent that Lyons or Rienzi asserts a direct

18

claim against Marquis for its own wrongdoing, summary judgment is granted in Marquis' favor
on those claims.
C. Successor Liability of Marquis
1. Effect of Limited Relieffrom Stay on the Approval Order
Both the Minnesota bankruptcy court's Approval Order and the asset purchase agreement
entered into as a result stated explicitly that Marquis would not be liable for any claims predating
the bankruptcy petition that were asserted against Genmar. See, e.g., Approval Order ~~ 9, 11;
Asset Purchase Agreement 6, Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, Inc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6,
2012), CMlECF No. 101-5.
Raised is the question of the effect in this case of the Approval Order, given the
bankruptcy court's subsequent grant of permission, in September 2011, to Lyons and Rienzi to
continue their prosecution of this case. See Order for Relief from Stay ~ 1, In re Genmar Yacht
Group, LLC, No. 09-43556 (Bankr. D. Minn. Apr. 7,2011), CMlECF No. 118. As previously
noted, the Approval Order appears by its terms to allow the purchase of Genmar' s assets without
any of its Iiabilities-except those explicitly assumed-including tort claims. See Approval
Order ~~ 9, 11. It would have been quite strange for the bankruptcy court to allow Lyons and
Rienzi to pursue their claims in the present case while at the same time leaving the asset
purchaser a complete defense. In short, the September 2011 order granting relief from the stay
might plausibly be read as a narrow modification of the Approval Order's limitation of liability.
This issue need not be decided. For the reasons stated below, even assuming that
bankruptcy court's September 2011 order modified the effect of the Approval Order to permit a
suit against the manufacturer of the Brianna and the purchaser of the manufacturer's assets,
Marquis is entitled to summary judgment in its favor.

19

2. Successor Liability: Federal Common Law and New York Law
Assuming without deciding that the September 2011 order granting relief to Lyons and
Rienzi had the effect of modifying the Approval Order and the asset purchase agreement's
disclaimer ofliability, summary judgment in Marquis' favor is appropriate pursuant to federal
common law principles of successor liability and their New York counterparts.
The common-law principles governing successor liability preclude Lyons and Rienzi, as
a matter of federal common law, from recovering against Marquis under the Jones Act-only
Lyons presses such a c1aim-or pursuant to admiralty law. Federal courts are authorized to
develop a federal common law oftorts respecting claims brought pursuant to the FELA-and, by
extension, the Jones Act-and maritime law. See Parts m .C.3, III.C.4, supra. Pursuant to
traditional common-law principles of successor liability, "a corporation that purchases the assets
of another corporation is generally not liable for the seller's liabilities," New York v. Nat '/
Service Indus., Inc., 460 F.3d 201, 209 (2d Cir. 2006), absent the existence of one of the limited

exceptions referenced above in Part III.C.2, supra. Virtually every jurisdiction utilizes some
form of the traditional rule; it has been part of the common law for centuries. See, e.g., Anspec
Co. v. Johnson Controls, Inc., 922 F.2d 1240, 1246 (6th Cir. 1991) (citing I William Blackstone,
Commentaries *467-69). Given that historical pedigree, federal common law, in the context of

the present case, incorporates the traditional rule and its exceptions.
Lyons and Rienzi rely in their moving papers on the exceptions made to the traditional
rule for de facto mergers and for cases in which the purchasing corporation is the "mere
continuation" of the seller. See Rienzi Mem. 11-14. Neither of these exceptions to the
traditional rule-which are "so similar that they may be considered a single exception," Cargo
Partner AG v. Albatrans, Inc., 352 F.3d 41, 45 n.3 (2d Cir. 2003)--is availing here.

20

, ~
.;
' '::-- 1'-

:-~ f'

...-t*-

.'

The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has succinctly summarized the traditional
rule regarding the de facto merger exception as follows: "To find that a de/acto merger has
occurred there must be a continuity of the selling corporation, evidenced by the same
management, personnel, assets and physical location; a continuity of stockholders, accomplished
by paying for the acquired corporation with shares of stock; a dissolution of the selling
corporation, and the assumption of liabilities by the purchaser." Arnold Graphics Indus. , Inc. Y.

Indep. Agent Ctr., Inc., 775 F.2d 38, 42 (2d Cir. 1985) (bracketing omitted). There is no
suggestion in the record that Marquis "acquired" Genmar as a going concern, or that it did so
with stock. The only record evidence on this point, the asset purchase agreement, indicates that
Marquis paid cash for some, not all, of Genrnar' s assets. See Asset Purchase Agreement §§ 1.2,
2. I (b), Lyons v. Rienzi & Sons, [nc., No. 09-CV-4253 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 6, 2012), CMlECF No.
101-5. Marquis expressly declined to assume all of Genmar's liabilities; it is also apparent from
the record that J&D Acquisitions, the company that acquired Genrnar' s assets, had substantially
different shareholders than Genmar' s parent. See Rienzi 56.1 Strnt.

~

7. As a result, this

exception provides Lyons and Rienzi no assistance.
The continued existence of Genrnar as a bankrupt entity precludes the claims of Lyons
and Rienzi asserted pursuant to the exception made for the continuation of a going business. See,

e.g., New York
Wensing

Y.

Y.

Nat 'I Servs. Indus., Inc., 352 F.3d 682, 685 (2d Cir. 2003); Wensing ex rei

Paris Indus.-NY., 558 N.Y.S.2d 692,694 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990).

For substantially the same reasons, Rienzi's breach of warranty claims are barred by New
York' s common-law rules governing successor liability claims. Any defense potentially
available to Marquis premised on the existence of the forum selection clause in the warranty
provided by the Brianna's manufacturer has not been raised and need not be considered.

21

V.

Conclusion on Motion for Summary Judgment
The court recognizes the general federal policy of protecting injured seafarers, which

assumes that money will be sufficient to compensate them and contribute to their cure. There is
no need to consider here whether a suit against Staten Island premised on putative design and
manufacturing defects would be successful-assuming a finding of liability on the part of
Rienzi-were Rienzi to lack sufficieni assets and insurance coverage. Rienzi is not without
assets and insurance sufficient to protect plaintiff, a seafarer.
Summary judgment is granted in favor of Marquis. No costs or disbursements.

VI.

Future Proceedings
This litigation shall proceed as follows.
The claims asserted against third-party defendants Staten Island and Carver Boat

Corporation, LLC-as Genmar was known before changing its name-are dismissed. No theory
of liability on the part of Staten Island, the company that purchased the Brianna from the
manufacturer before selling it to Rienzi, has been propounded. Carver Boat Corporation, LLC is
dismissed as a defendant since it and Genmar are one and the same. Any claims asserted against
anonymous defendants are without merit and are dismissed.
Remaining in this litigation as parties are (I) Lyons, the original plaintiff; (2) Rienzi, the
original defendant; (3) and Genmar, the manufacturer of the Brianna, to the limited extent that it
is protected by insurance.
Jury selection in this case will commence on May 21, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. Trial will begin

the following day.
All in limine and other outstanding motions will be heard on May 11,2012, at 10:00 a.m.
By May 4, 2012, the parties will exchange and provide to the court (I) witness lists and
summaries of proposed testimony; (2) marked documents and lists of exhibits; (3) experts'
22

reports, if expert witnesses are to be called; and (4) proposed jury charges. Daubert hearings, if
requested, will be held on May 11 . Any further dispositive motions will be heard on that date.
In the interim, the case is respectfully referred to the magistrate judge for mediation or
other settlement procedures.

I

Senior United States District Judge
Date: April 12,2012
Brooklyn, New York

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