Hipoint Partners LLC et al v. Pathfinder LL&D Insurance Group LLC et al

Filing 8

ORDER Directing Defendants to File an Amended Notice of Removal to Allege the Existence of Diversity Jurisdiction no later than 7/24/2013. Signed by Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti on 7/10/2013. (mb)

Download PDF
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA HIGHPOINT PARTNERS, LLC, et al., Plaintiffs, v. PATHFINDER/LL&D INSURANCE GROUP, LLC, et al., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No. CIV-13-687-D ORDER Upon review of the Notice of Removal, the Court finds insufficient factual allegations to support the assertion of federal subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332.1 All named plaintiffs and one defendant are alleged to be limited liability companies. Federal appellate courts have unanimously held that a limited liability company should not be treated like a corporation under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1), but like a limited partnership or other unincorporated association under Carden v. Arkoma Assocs., 494 U.S. 185, 195-96 (1990).2 The Notice of Removal contains no information concerning the citizenship of the members or owners of parties that are limited liability companies and, therefore, fails to allege the citizenship of these parties. Further, the Notice 1 The Court has “an independent obligation to determine whether subject-matter jurisdiction exists” and may raise the issue sua sponte at any time. 1mage Software, Inc. v. Reynolds & Reynolds Co., 459 F.3d 1044, 1048 (10th Cir. 2006). 2 See Zambelli Fireworks Mfg. Co. v. Wood, 592 F.3d 412, 420 (3d Cir. 2010); Harvey v. Grey Wolf Drilling Co., 542 F.3d 1077, 1080 (5th Cir. 2008); Delay v. Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC, 585 F.3d 1003, 1005 (6th Cir. 2009); Johnson v. Columbia Properties Anchorage, LP, 437 F.3d 894, 899 (9th Cir. 2006); see also Pramco, LLC ex rel. CFSC Consortium, LLC v. San Juan Bay Marina, Inc., 435 F.3d 51, 54 (1st Cir. 2006); General Tech. Applications, Inc. v. Exro Ltda, 388 F.3d 114, 120 (4th Cir. 2004); GMAC Commercial Credit LLC v. Dillard Dep't Stores, Inc., 357 F.3d 827, 828-29 (8th Cir. 2004); Rolling Greens MHP, L.P. v. Comcast SCH Holdings LLC, 374 F.3d 1020, 1022 (11th Cir. 2004); Handelsman v. Bedford Village Assocs. Ltd. P'ship, 213 F.3d 48, 51 (2d Cir. 2000); Cosgrove v. Bartolotta, 150 F.3d 729, 731 (7th Cir. 1998). of Removal fails to allege facts to establish the citizenship of the corporate parties, which are citizens of both the state of incorporation and the principal place of business. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1). IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Defendants shall file an amended notice of removal to allege the existence of diversity jurisdiction not later than July 24, 2013.3 IT IS SO ORDERED this 10th day of July, 2013. 3 The exhibits attached to the Notice of Removal need not be re-filed, but may be incorporated by reference pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(c). 2

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?