U.S. Bank Nat'l Assoc. v. Jefferson U.S. Bank Nat'l Assoc. v. Jefferson (C.D. Cal., 2012)

Copy Citation

U.S. Bank Nat'l Assoc. v. Sonja Jefferson et al.

Case No. 2: 12-cv-03016-JHN-SHx

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Date: April 19, 2012

        Present: The Honorable JACQUELINE H. NGUYEN

        Chris Silva        Deputy Clerk

        Not Reported        Court Reporter/Recorder

        N/A        Tape No.

        Attorneys Present for Plaintiffs:         Not Present

        Attorneys Present for Defendants:         Not Present

Proceedings: ORDER GRANTING EX PARTE APPLICATION TO REMAND CASE TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (In Chambers)

        The matter before the Court is Plaintiff U.S. Bank National Association's ("Plaintiff") Ex Parte Application to Remand ("Application"). (Docket no. 3. ) Defendants removed this matter to federal court on April 6, 2012. (Docket no. 1. ) Having considered the Notice of Removal and Plaintiff's Application, the Court finds that federal jurisdiction is lacking. Therefore, the Court GRANTS the Application and REMANDS the case to Los Angeles County Superior Court.

        I. Discussion

        Removal to federal court is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 1441, which in relevant part states that "any civil action brought in a State court of which the district courts of the United States have original jurisdiction, may be removed by the defendant or the defendants. " 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a). However, the Court may remand a case to state court for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c). "The burden of establishing federal jurisdiction is on the party invoking federal jurisdiction. United States v. Marks, 530 F. 3d 799, 810 (9th Cir. 2008).

        Under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, the Court has original jurisdiction over civil actions "arising under" federal law. "The presence or absence of federal-question jurisdiction is governed by the 'well-pleaded complaint rule, ' which provides that federal jurisdiction exists only when a federal question is presented on the face of

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the plaintiff's properly pleaded complaint. " Caterpillar Inc. v. Williams, 482 U.S. 386, 392 (1987). The only exception to this rule is where plaintiff's federal claim has been disguised by "artful pleading, " such as where the only claim is a federal one or is a state claim preempted by federal law. Sullivan v. First Affiliated Sec Inc 813 F.2d 1368, 1372 (9th Cir. 1987). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332, the Court also has original jurisdiction over civil actions where there is complete diversity of citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds $75, 000. Morris v. Princess Cruises, Inc 236 F. 3d 1061, 1067 (9th Cir. 2001).

        Here, the First Amended Complaint's ("FAC") sole cause of action is for unlawful detainer, a state law claim. No federal question is presented on the face of the FAC. Further, it appears that no diversity jurisdiction exists, as the demand is expressly limited to less than $10, 000. (FAC 1, Notice of Removal Ex. A. )

        II. Conclusion

        Defendant has failed to meet her burden of establishing federal jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Court REMANDS this case to Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Court notes that this is Defendant's second attempt to remove this action to federal court, (Hollenbeck Decl. 10-12), and admonishes Defendant that further removal of the same unlawful detainer action may result in the imposition of monetary sanctions.

        IT IS SO ORDERED.