Federal Jurisdiction

Question 1

Subject matter jurisdiction for diversity of citizenship requires what?

Answer 1

1) complete diversity - all plaintiffs have different citizenship from all defendants at time of filing
2) amount in controversy exceeds $75,000

Question 2

For a natural person, citizenship is determined based on what?

Answer 2

state of domicile - presence in a state and intent to make the state a permanent home

Question 3

For a corporation, citizenship is determined by?

Answer 3

1) state where incorporated
2) one state where corporation has principal place of business, determine by where the managers direct, coordinate, and control corporate activities.

Question 4

Relevant citizenship in a class action?

Answer 4

Named members who sue on behalf of class

Question 5

Citizenship for a partnership is determined by what?

Answer 5

Citizenship of all the partners.

Question 6

What determines citizenship for a decedent?

Answer 6

citizenship of decedent, not the legal representative

Same rule for minors and incompetents.

Question 7

After an event that gives rise to a cause of action, the plaintiff moves states and then files a federal civil action. Is the plaintiff’s motive for moving relevant?

Answer 7

No - irrelevant. Must be a genuine change of citizenship based on physical presence and intent to make state permanent home

Question 8

In federal court, P sues D for exactly $75,000 plus interest and costs of litigation. D moves to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Result?

Answer 8

Granted. Must exceed $75,000. Interest and costs are excluded

Question 9

In federal court, to establish diversity can claims be aggregated?

Answer 9

Aggregation is allowed by one plaintiff against one defendant, even if matters are not factually or legally related.
Aggregation is not allowed by one plaintiff against multiple defendants.

Question 10

In federal court, to establish diversity against joint tortfeasors what is the basis for the amount in controversy?

Answer 10

Total value of claim.

Question 11

In federal court, to establish diversity for an equitable what is the amount controversy requirement?

Answer 11

Either:

1) plaintiff’s view - harm to plaintiff exceeds $75,000; or
2) defendant’s view - cost to comply exceeds $75,000

Question 12

Supplemental jurisdiction in federal court operates to?

Answer 12

Get an additional claim into the federal court that itself does not meet diversity or federal question.
Test: does the claim share a common nucleus of operative fact - always met by same transaction or occurrence as underlying claim

Question 13

Limitation on supplemental jurisdiction in diversity actions.

Answer 13

Plaintiff cannot use supplemental jurisdiction to overcome a lack of diversity
Plaintiff can use supplemental jurisdiction to overcome a lack of amount in controversy for a claim in a diversity claim

Question 14

What can the court consider in whether to hear a supplemental claim?

Answer 14

supplemental jurisdiction is discretionary

1) federal question is dismissed early
2) state law claim is complex
3) state law issues predominate

Question 15

Who can remove a state court to federal court?

Answer 15

Defendant - 30 days after service that makes case removable.
Defendant can only remove an action that could have originally been brought by plaintiff in federal courts.

Question 16

Can a plaintiff remove a case in state court to federal court based on a counterclaim?

Answer 16

No - only defendants can remove.

Question 17

If a defendant is a citizen of the forum state in which a state action was brought, what are the limitations on removal?

Answer 17

Defendant cannot remove if the jurisdiction of the federal court is based solely on diversity and one of the defendants is a citizen of the state in which the state action was brought

Question 18

When a state action is removed to federal court, where is the proper venue for the federal action?

Answer 18

Venue is proper is the federal court of the state where the case was pending even if the venue would have been improper had the plaintiff originally brought the action in that court.

Question 19

How does a defendant seek removal?

Answer 19

File a notice of removal with statement for grounds of removal, signed under Rule 11 in the federal district court where the state action is pending
Copy is sent to all plaintiffs and state court. Federal court can enjoin state court if it attempts to take action.
All defendants must join, if multiple defendants

Question 20

In a diversity case, what is the deadline for removing a state action to a federal court?

Answer 20

30 days after defendant receives service of the first paper that makes the action removable.
Must be within one year after it was commenced in state court (except if there is bad faith on the plaintiff’s part).

Question 21

Does a defendant need permission from the state court before seeking to remove to federal court?

Answer 21

No. Notice of Removal filed with Federal Court and copy is sent to state court. State court can no longer deal with case.

Question 22

How does filing a counterclaim effect the defendant’s ability to remove a state action to federal court?

Answer 22

Compulsory counterclaim filed in state court - defendant does not waive right to remove
Permissive counterclaim filed in state court - defendant waives right to remove

Question 23

Federal court in a diversity case must follow what law?

Answer 23

State substantive law
Federal procedure law
If there is a question, then use a balancing test:
1) outcome determinative; 2) balance of interest; 3) avoid forum shopping

Question 24

Are the following substantive or procedural law for a federal court in a diversity?
Statute of limitations
Rules on Tolling
Choice of law

Answer 24

all substantive for Erie purposes and follow state law

Question 25

In federal action, venue is proper when?

Answer 25

1) any district where defendant are citizens of that state; or 2) any district where a substantial part of the claim arose

Question 26

For venue purposes, where does a human reside? where does a corporation reside?

Answer 26

Where the person has a domicile/resides. | For a corporation, it resides where it is subject to personal jurisdiction

Question 27

If there is no district where all the defendant reside and none where a substantial part of the event occurred, then where is venue proper?

Answer 27

Where the defendant is subject to the court's personal jurisdiction.

Question 28

Can improper venue be waived in federal court?

Answer 28

Yes, if not timely objected to in a pre-pleading motion or in the answer.

Question 29

What is required for service of process in a federal court?

Answer 29

two documents required for process 1) summons (formal court notice of suit and time for response) 2) copy of the complaint must be served within 120 days and service may be made by anyone who is 18 or older

Question 30

How is service made for a complaint filed in federal court?

Answer 30

i) personal service ii) service left at defendant's usual place of adobe with one of suitable age and discretion residing therein iii) service upon authorized agent iv) service as allowed by state law in which the federal court sits

Question 31

Can plaintiff service process by mail for action brought in federal court?

Answer 31

Only if defendant waives service, then plaintiff must formal request to waive service and a copy of the complaint. Defendant has 30 days to return the waiver.

Question 32

If defendant waives formal service, what is the deadline to responding to the complaint?

Answer 32

60 days instead of normal 21 days | Waiver of service does not waive defendant's right to object to venue and jurisdiction

Question 33

When can a defendant be immune from service in a federal court proceeding?

Answer 33

When defendant is instate to be witness or party in another (civil or criminal) action

Question 34

After the complaint is served, how are subsequent papers served?

Answer 34

Served by delivering or mailing the document to the party's attorney. If mailed, then 3 days are added to deadline for responding. Can consent to e-mail communications.

Question 35

If another party violates Rule 11, can a party move for sanctions immediately in a federal court?

Answer 35

No - must be - safe harbor provisions of 21 days to allow other party to fix problem and avoid sanctions Does not apply if court rises Rule 11 violation

Question 36

In a complaint filed in federal court, what matter must be pleaded with more detail?

Answer 36

1) fraud 2) mistake 3) special damages (those that do not normally flow from an event)

Question 37

How can a defendant respond after receiving service of process in a federal court action?

Answer 37

Within 21 days (60 days if service waived) - file a Rule 12 Motion or answer

Question 38

In Federal Court, what Rule 12 motions are waived if not put in the first Rule 12 response or answer?

Answer 38

- lack of personal jurisdiction - improper venue - insufficiency of process - insufficiency of service of process

Question 39

In Federal Court, what Rule 12 motions are not waived, even if not put in the first Rule 12 response or answer?

Answer 39

- lack of subject matter jurisdiction - failure to state of claim upon which relief can be granted - failure to join a party needed for a just adjudication

Question 40

In Federal Court, what is a motion for more definite statement?

Answer 40

Definite statement before responding to a pleading that is so vague or ambiguous that responsive pleading cannot be made

Question 41

In Federal Court, if the Court denies a Rule 12 ruling, what is the deadline for filing an answer?

Answer 41

14 days | Normally it is 21 days from receiving complaint

Question 42

In Federal Court, when must counterclaims be pleaded?

Answer 42

If compulsory counterclaim, then it must be pleaded in the answer or it is barred. Compulsory counterclaims arise out of the same transaction or occurrence.

Question 43

In Federal Court, when must affirmative defenses be raised?

Answer 43

Affirmative defenses (such as statute of limitations, Statue of Frauds, res judicata) must be raised within answer or risk waiver

Question 44

In federal court, are cross claims compulsory?

Answer 44

No, never compulsory. | Need jurisdiction over cross-claims.

Question 45

In federal court, does a plaintiff have a right to amend?

Answer 45

Yes. Can amend once within 21 days after defendant serves first responsive motion. Defendant has right to amend once within 21 days of serving answer.

Question 46

Can plaintiff move to amend complaint if evidence during trial does not match what was plead?

Answer 46

Yes, only if defendant does not object. | Evidence is inadmissible if objected to because it is variance with pleadings.

Question 47

In federal court what does relation back allow the plaintiff to do?

Answer 47

Amend claim to add cause of action that arises from the same conduct or transaction that would otherwise be barred under the statute limitation. The amended cause of action relates back to the filing of the complaint.

Question 48

Rule 26(f), when are the initial disclosure required in federal civil actions?

Answer 48

14 days.

Question 49

Are joint tortfeasors necessary parties in a federal civil action?

Answer 49

No.

Question 50

If there is a joinder of a party, what is needed?

Answer 50

1) personal jurisdiction over the party | 2) joining him will not destroy diversity

Question 51

If a necessary party cannot be joined because it would destroy diversity, what can a court do?

Answer 51

1) proceed without absentee party; or 2) dismiss entire case (based on alternative forum, what is the likelihood of harm, and can court shape relief to harm non-joined party).

Question 52

What is an interpleader?

Answer 52

One holding property (stakeholder) forces all potential claimants into a single lawsuit to avoid multiple litigations and inconsistency.

Question 53

How is subject matter jurisdiction determined for interpleader?

Answer 53

1) diversity - rule interpleader - stakeholder must be diverse from every claimant - statutory interpleader - one claimant must be diverse from another claimant 2) amount in controversy is $500 or more

Question 54

For a class action in federal court, what is needed?

Answer 54

a. numerosity b. commonality c. typicality d. representative is adequate

Question 55

What is a type 1 class action in federal district court?

Answer 55

Prejudice - class treatment to avoid harm to either to class members or to party opposing class

Question 56

What is a type 3 class action?

Answer 56

Class action involving damages 1) common questions predominate over individual questions 2) class action is superior method to handle the dispute - must receive notice to all members who can opt out.

Question 57

Is voluntary dismissal allowed in federal court?

Answer 57

Plaintiff has a right to dismiss by filing a written notice of dismiss. Without prejudice if filed before the Defendant serving answer or a motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff allowed to refile once.

Question 58

In federal court if the defendant defaults, what the plaintiff need to do to recover?

Answer 58

Plaintiff needs to ask for judgment | - can ask clerk if not disputed

Question 59

Can default judgment exceed the amount in plaintiff's complaint?

Answer 59

Default judgment cannot exceed what the claimant demanded in her complaint.

Question 60

In federal court, a motion to failure to state a claim tests what?

Answer 60

Legal sufficient of plaintiff's claim. If all allegations are true, would plaintiff win a judgment. - does not consider evidence - court may allow plaintiff to amend complaint

Question 61

In federal court, what is the standard for summary judgment?

Answer 61

1) no genuine dispute on a material fact 2) moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law - move within 30 days of close of discovery - can consider evidence (even based on hearsay)

Question 62

In federal court if a complaint involves actions at law and equity, how is the trial handled?

Answer 62

Fact issues on the case at law are tried first to the jury. | Equity issues are decided before the judge

Question 63

In federal court, how many jurors are required for civil cases?

Answer 63

At least 6 jurors and not more than 12.

Question 64

What is a motion for judgment as a matter of law?

Answer 64

Brought at close of the other's side at trial. - defendant can move twice (at end of plaintiff's case and end of trial) - plaintiff can move once (at end of trial) Judged based on the evidence in most favorable light to nonmoving party - reasonable people could not disagree.

Question 65

When must a renewed motion for a judgment as a matter of law be raised?

Answer 65

- need to make a motion for a judgment as a matter of law at trial - occurs after jury verdict - standard is jury reached a verdict that reasonable people could not have reached - need to move within 28 days after entry of judgment

Question 66

If a federal court grants a motion for a new trial, is this a final judgment that a party may appeal?

Answer 66

No - not a final judgment. The denial of a motion for a new trial is a final judgment that can be appealed.

Question 67

If jurisdiction is based on diversity and defendant is a citizen of the forum state, can the defendant remove the case to federal court?

Answer 67

No. Can only remove to federal court if not a citizen of the forum state.

Question 68

Does placing a product in the stream of commerce give rise to a sufficient basis for personal jurisdiction in federal court?

Answer 68

No. This is an insufficient basis for exercising jurisdiction. Contact is too limited, the contact needs to be purposeful and foreseeable.

Question 69

If personal jurisdiction is proper it must satisfy what?

Answer 69

1) VA long arm statute | 2) due process - minimum contacts and reasonableness

Question 70

VA long arm statute applies to nonresidents who have?

Answer 70

transacted business in VA.

Question 71

If a defendant files a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction after a motion for failure to state a claim is denied, can the court grant the motion?

Answer 71

No - personal jurisdiction is waived if not raised promptly in first responsive pleading.

Question 72

If a defendant files a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction after a motion for failure to state a claim is denied, can the court grant the motion?

Answer 72

Yes. Subject matter jurisdiction is not waived. Can be raised on appeal.

Question 73

Can opposing counsel take the deposition of consulting experts?

Answer 73

Generally no, unless exceptional circumstances and that is impractical to obtain facts by a different means. Consulting experts are retained in anticipation of trial, but do not testify.

Question 74

Can an opposing depose a testifying expert witness?

Answer 74

Yes. Must produce expert report (all opinions, method of investigation, all facts on which opinion is based, and expert fee)

Question 75

Can an opposing party compel production of a consulting expert's report?

Answer 75

No. Falls under the work product exclusion.

Question 76

Can a defendant who is a resident of VA remove a state court claim brought in VA to federal court based on diversity?

Answer 76

No. Cannot remove because defendant is resident of the forum state.

Question 77

Can a plaintiff request that the federal court enjoin a state court action based on the same cause of action and parties?

Answer 77

Generally no. Very hard standard to enjoin state court. Abstention from a case is not appropriate merely to avoid duplicative litigation.

Question 78

When can a renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law be made in federal court?

Answer 78

within 28 days after the entry of the judgment | - need to make an initial motion for judgment as matter of law during the trial

Question 79

When can a motion for a new trial be made in federal court?

Answer 79

28 days after the final judgment.

Question 80

How does a potential defendant of multiple lawsuits combine all the actions into one federal suit?

Answer 80

For an interpleader action as a stakeholder plaintiff against all defendants, claimants.

Question 81

When removing a case from VA to federal court, can the defendant file an interpleader in a counterclaim?

Answer 81

Yes. Interpleader names other claimants as defendants.

Question 82

Interpleader requires what for diversity?

Answer 82

1) diversity between any two claimants (not plaintiff and defendant) 2) $500 for amount in controversy

Question 83

Is there nation-wide service of process for an interpleader in federal district court?

Answer 83

Yes.

Question 84

If a defendant believes that there are other potential plaintiffs on a similar cause of action what can the defendant do?

Answer 84

File a Rule 12(b)(7) motion to dismiss plaintiff's suit for failure to join other claimants as indispensable parties. Alternative is an interpleader.

Question 85

Does receiving a copy of the motion for judgment from opposing counsel qualify to fix the 30-day date for removal to federal court?

Answer 85

Yes. Once removed, the state court loses jurisdiction over the preceding unless federal court remands for lack of proper removal jurisdiction

Question 86

What are advantages in removing a claim from state to federal court?

Answer 86

1) federal court has an automatic right of appeal (discretionary in VA) 2) larger jury pool than state court 3) longer period of time to appeal 4) right to trial by jury

Question 87

When removing a case from state to federal court, what should a careful defendant do?

Answer 87

1) file a responsive pleading the VA court (21 limit) | 2) simultaneously or within 30 days file the removal documents

Question 88

Is impleader available when a defendant has an indemnification agreement?

Answer 88

Yes. Derivative liability means that the third-party defendant will owe an amount to the original defendant if and only if the original defendant owes an amount to the plaintiff.

Question 89

Should supplemental jurisdiction be used for a permissive counterclaim?

Answer 89

No - does not arise out of the same transaction or occurrence.