United Van Lines LLC v. Hajjar

Filing 12

ORDER entered: The plaintiff, United Van Lines, LLC, must file by February 6, 2017, a brief of no more than ten pages explaining the basis for this court's subject-matter jurisdiction and citing applicable authority. The defendant, Fred Hajjar, may file a response of no more than ten pages on or before February 13, 2017. (Signed by Chief Judge Lee H Rosenthal) Parties notified.(leddins, 4)

United States District Court
Southern District of Texas

ENTERED
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
UNITED VAN LINES LLC,
Plaintiff,
VS.
FRED HAJJAR,
Defendant.

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January 24, 2017
David J. Bradley, Clerk

CIVIL ACTION NO. H:16-03276

ORDER
The complaint in this case does not adequately explain why this court has subject-matter
jurisdiction over this suit. Although the complaint references federal question jurisdiction under
28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1337 (the more specific section governing claims “arising under any Act of
Congress regulating commerce . . . .”), the allegations appear to assert common-law rights. Of the
rights asserted, some are specifically based on Texas state law, rather than on federal statutes or
provisions. The complaint seeks damages, but the amount is far below the $75,000 required to
invoke federal diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332.)
The plaintiff, United Van Lines, LLC, must file by February 6, 2017, a brief of no more than
ten pages explaining the basis for this court’s subject-matter jurisdiction and citing applicable
authority. The defendant, Fred Hajjar, may file a response of no more than ten pages on or before
February 13, 2017.

SIGNED on January 24, 2017, at Houston, Texas.
______________________________________
Lee H. Rosenthal
Chief United States District Judge

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