Butler v. White et al

Filing 23

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER ON MOTION TO INTERVENE-granting 16 Motion to Intervene. See Order for details. Signed by Judge David Sam on 8/9/17. (jmr)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF UTAH, CENTRAL DIVISION

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE
INSURANCE COMPANY A/S/O GEORDIE
BUTLER,
Plaintiff-Intervenor,
v.

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND
ORDER ON MOTION TO INTERVENE

2:16-CV-00279-DS
District Judge David Sam

JANE WHITE
QUEBEC INC & TRANSPORT
EXPLORER INC
Defendants.

Before the court is State Farm Automobile Insurance Company’s unopposed Motion to
Intervene as a plaintiff in the above entitled matter. This motion is GRANTED on the following
grounds:
Movant claims an interest in the subject matter of this action and is so situated that the
disposition of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede Movant’s interest which is
not adequately represented by any other party. Movant asserts its right of subrogation as basis
for intervention.
In order for the court to grant permissive intervention under FRCP 24(b), three
requirements must be met: “(1) an independent ground for subject matter jurisdiction; (2) a
timely motion; and (3) a claim or defense that has a question of law or fact in common with the
main action.” E.E.O.C. v. Nat’l Children’s Ctr., Inc., 146 F.3d 1042, 1046 (D.C.Cir. 1998).
Movant has met all three requirements. Movant’s grounds for subject matter jurisdiction is

supplemental jurisdiction, since the original suit previously met the requirements for diversity
jurisdiction. The motion is timely because the existing parties are still in discovery. Intervention
would pose little risk of prejudice to existing parties and denial of intervention could prejudice
Movant. Movant’s claim has facts and questions of law in common with the main action.
Given Movant’s direct and substantial stake in the outcome of this litigation, and for the
above reasons, as addressed in greater detail in Movant’s Motion, and for good cause appearing,
the court hereby grants Movant’s motion.
DATED this 9th day of August, 2017.
BY THE COURT:

DAVID SAM
United States District Judge