CHECKLIST

Personal Jurisdiction
a. Statutory
b. Constitutional
2) Notice (Service) 4
3) SMJ 1331, 1332, 1367, 1441/46/47
a. DivJ, FQJ, Supplemental, Removal
4) Venue 1391, 1404/06
5) Erie Doctrine
6) Pleadings 8, 11, 12, 15
a. Complaint, Response
b. Amendments
7) Joinder 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24
a. Permissive Claim J, Counter-, CrossClaim, Permissive Party J,
Compulsory, Impleader, Intervention,
Interpleader, Class Action
8) Pre-Trial Adjudication 41, 12, 56
a. Voluntary/Involuntary Dismissal,
12(b)(6) Dismissal, Summary
Judgment
9) Preclusion Doctrines
1)

Assess SMJ on every claim filed in fed. ct.

Forum Selection = PJ + Notice + SMJ + Venue
PERSONAL JURISDICTION
General
1) has continuous and systematic contacts
with the forum (at home) (GY, Daimler)
Specific
1) Served with process in forum
2) s agent is served w/ process in forum
3) is domiciled within the state
4) Consent to PJ - express, implied, waived
Statutory Test
1) Is there a Long-Arm Statute?
a. BULGE: if w/in 100m of ct. if joined
under 14 or 19
2) Statute for PJ over tortious act?
a. Where mfrd v. where injured
Constitutional Test
1) Tag Transient Jurisdiction (Burnham)
a. traditional basis of presence
(Pennoyer) is enough for PJ
b. Traditional AND International Shoe is
necessary (OConnor)
International Shoe Standard
1) Minimum Contacts
a. Purposeful Availment
i. Reached out to forum in some way;
invoked benefit/protection of laws
b. Claim arose from contact in forum
c.
Need more than Stream of Commerce
i. Seek to serve (i.e., ads, designing
product) (Asahi: SOC+)
d. # of contacts vs. quality of contacts
i. Cannot be based only on purchases
and sales; physical presence
2) Fair Play and Substantial Justice
a. Foreseeable: reasonably anticipate to
be haled into ct.
b. Burden on to show inconvenience
c.
burden, state interest, legal sys.
interest, shared substantive policies
Electronic (Website)
1) Active, conducts business = PJ
2) Passively in market, only info PJ
In-Rem/QIR(1&2)
Attach as PJ basis must do at beginning;
QIR2 DNE, attach must relate to property

NOTICE RULE 4
Served by person non-party at least 18
Must be served w/in 90d w/ process:
summons + complaint
Serving an Individual
1) Personal Service
2) Substituted Service
a. Dwelling/usual place of abode
b. Suitable age/discretion, resides there
3) Serve s agent
Serving a Corporation
1) Officer or managing or general agent
Ct. can serve however/wherever state ct. can
Waiver of service
1) can request waive service
2) must have good reason to not waive or
else pays cost
3) If waived = 60d to respond to complaint
instead of 21d, 90d if outside US
Notice must be reasonably calculated to
inform D newspaper = last resort (Mullane)
SMJ
(assess for every claim filed in fed ct!)
Diversity Jurisdiction (DivJ) 1332
1) Complete Diversity Rule: , all s
citizens of diff. states than s
2) Diversity of Citizenship
a. Individual: US citizen and where
domiciled (physical presence in state +
Intent to remain)
b. Corp: dual citizenship PPB (nerve
center) + state of incorporation
3) Amount in Controversy >$75K
a. Cannot aggregate if multiple parties
unless joint claims
Fed. Question Jurisdiction (FQJ) 1331
1) Case arises from under fed law
2) Well-Pleaded Complaint Rule
a. Is the Cause of Action st. or fed.?
i. If fed. = FQJ, If st. = go to (b)
b. State CoA incl. fed. ingredient?
i. No = no FQJ, Yes = FQJ
c.
Matter of fed. concern?
i. Actually disputed/substantial?
ii. Affect balance b/w fed. & st.?
Supplemental Jurisdiction (SJ) 1367
1) Does 1367(a) grant SJ?
a. YES if claim arises from same
case/controversy; or, fed hook
b. Unless (b)
2) 1367(b) takes away SJ = NO SJ (only
in diversity cases):
a. claim against party joined by R:14,
19, 24 (StarKist/Allapattah 20, 23)
b. Claims by R:19 compulsory s
c.
Claims by R:24 intervener s
Removal 1441, 1446, 1447
1) All s must agree
2) cannot remove if it's a diversity claim
in state of citizenship (needs SMJ)
3) 30 days to remove, runs when served
4) Lawsuit is removed to embracing fed. ct.
VENUE
Venue in Div/non-Div cases 1391
1) where any lives if all in same state
2) where substantial part of event occurred
3) FALLBACK: where any is subj. to PJ
(div); or where any can be found (non)
4) residency
a. individual: domicile
b. corporation: wherever subj. to ct. PJ

Transfer where there is PJ over

1404 initial venue is proper
1) Take transferor (ct. #1) ct.s laws, choice
of law travels w/ proper (Van Dusen)
2) Discretionary: convenience of parties,
witnesses, and interest of justice
1406 initial venue is improper/no PJ
1) Take transferee (ct. #2) ct.s laws
2) Only transfer where PJ/app. venue
3) Ct. can dismiss/transfer to proper
Forum Non Conveniens
1) Properly filed but the ct. dismiss b/c
more appropriate venue (convenience)
a. State to other state, US to foreign
ERIE DOCTRINE
Fed. ct. should apply st. substantive law
1) Conflict between st. and fed. law?
2) Valid fed. rule on point? (Hanna 2, REA)
a. YES: use fed. procedural law
3) If NO: state v. fed. interest? No countervailing fed, apply state (Hanna 1, RDA)
a. Twin Aims: forum shopping &
inequity b/c of citizenship (Erie)
b. State law is bound up w/ rights
obligations of parties = substantive
c.
Constitutional interest? (Byrd)
PLEADINGS
Complaint RULE 8
1) Grounds for SMJ
2) Short/Plain statement of the claim
a. Twiqbal: must plead facts (allege)
supporting a plausible claim;
b. Factual allegations as true; fraud or
mistake allegations needs more facts
c.
Judge uses judicial xp, common sense
3) Demand for relief sought
Response RULE 12
Within 21d, unless waived = 60d; 90d (R4)
Methods of Response
1) Motion to Dismiss (RULE 12(B))
a. Defenses
12(b)(1) Lack of SMJ - never waived
(b)(2)
Lack of PJ
(b)(3)
Improper Venue
(b)(4)
Insufficient process - prob w/ doc
(b)(5)
Insufficient service of process-not
properly served
(b)(6)
Failure to state a claim
(b)(7)
Failure to join party under RULE 19
NOTE: 2-5 must be infirst response or
waived; 1, 6-7 anytime
b. Answer
i. Must respond to claim
1. Admit, deny (explicitly stated)
2. Lack of knowledge = denial
3. Failure to deny = admission
ii. Affirmative defenses (RULE 8): raise
new matter or inject new fact (SOL,
RJ/CE)
1. Must plead or waived
SLIME Rule 11: sanctions; signed
pleadings (attorney screws up: stupidity,
laziness, ignorance, malice, evasion)
Amended Pleadings RULE 15
1) can amend once before response
2) can amend once w/in 21d of answer
3) If no right to amend, ct. may freely give
4) Relation Back: amend after SOL run,
same T/O test, proper should have
known (Krupski v. Costa Crociere)

JOINDER
(assess SMJ for every claim filed in fed ct!)
Proper Parties
Permissive RULE 20(A) IPJ/SMJ/V?
1) Parties joined as s/s if
2) Assert right to relief that arises from
same T/O or series of T/O
3) At least one common Q of law/fact
NOTE: misjoinder dismissal;
ct. should sever (R21)
Compulsory/Necessary RULE 19
Necessary/indispensable/required party?
1) No complete relief w/o absentee
2) Absentee interest would be impaired
3) Absentee interest would be subj. to
multiple/inconsistent obligations
NOTE: joint tortfeasors not necessary!
Joinder feasible?
1) IPJ ok? Retain SMJ? (check DivJ)
a. YES: party must be joined
2) NO: does court dismiss/proceed?
a. Prejudicial? Adequate judgment? Most
impt: will have remedy?
3) If party determined indispensable and
cant be joined, then court dismiss (rare)
3P Practice
Impleader RULE 14 SJ or SMJ
1) 3P may be liable for all/part orig. s
claim against orig. , file complaint
2) Timing: w/in 14d, or need ct.s permit
3) SJ governs for 3P to 3p (orig )
4) against 3P? NO SJ (R14 not ok!),
needs SMJ (same T/O as orig. claim)
Intervention RULE 24
1) Party assert or defend claim (check SMJ)
2) Motion must be timely = not disruptive
3) Right: absentee legal interest impaired if
not joined; adequate rep?
4) Permissive: absentee claim/defense has
at least 1 common Q of law/fact
Plaintiff Claim Joinder
Permissive Claim Joinder RULE 18
1) can join all the claims (SMJ)
Defendant Claim Joinder
Counter-Claim RULE 13(A), (B) SJ?
1) Compulsory 13(a)
a. Against opposing party, no new party
b. Same T/O as s claim
c.
Must assert or waive
2) Permissive 13(b) IPJ/SMJ/SJ?
a. state any claim against opposing party
b. R18 only works for party once they
successfully add claim via R13(a)/(b)
Cross-claim RULE 13(G) - permissive
1) Against co-party (same side of v.)
2) Same T/O as underlying dispute
Interpleader RULE 22, 1335
Stakeholder force all potential claimants into
single case, party may file defensive if sued
first (through R13 counter-claim)
1) Rule (narrow): complete div, no deposit,
status quo IPJ/SMJ/V, rare injunction
2) 1335 (broad): minimal div, need deposit
stake; AIC>$500, 1397 for V, 2361
SOP, IPJ, and injunction possible
Class Action RULE 23
Pre-reqs for certification:
1) Numerosity
2) Commonality
3) Typicality
4) Adequacy

Types (need at least one):

1) Prejudice: mandatory, NO notice,
NO opt-out; incompatible standards for
, limited funds (small pool of $)
2) Injunction: mandatory, NO notice,
NO opt-out; decl. relief benefits all s
3) Damages: notice, opt-out; common Q
predominate individual questions; class
is superior method to resolve suit
a. Notice: class rep must give notice to
all members reasonably ID-able
b. SMJ: look @ rep for AIC, citizenship
PRE-TRIAL ADJUDICATION
Voluntary Dismissal RULE 41(A)
1) Dismissal signed by all parties
2) Ct. order (discretionary)
3) dismiss w/o prejudice once by notice of
dismiss before respond (answer, MSJ)
Involuntary Dismissal RULE 41(B)
w/ prejudice if ct. decides; on the merits
unless lack IPJ/SMJ, improper V, failed to
join necessary party (R19) happens if
fails to move forward/prosecute; can MTD
RULE 12(B)(6) Dismissal
1) Ct. does not look at evidence, only face
a. Claim where ct. might grant relief?
b. Legally sufficient claim?
Summary Judgment RULE 56
1) Ct. looks at evidence
2) Moving party must show:
a. No dispute of material issue of facts
b. and entitled to JMOL
3) Evidence provided by parties
a. Evidence acquired under oath
b. Not include pleadings
4) Timing: any time except 30d after close
of discovery
PRECLUSION DOCTRINES
(RJ) Claim Preclusion
One case to vindicate claim
1) Valid & final judgment?
a. Majority: final even if appeal pending
or time has not expired
b. Minority: appeal has passed
2) on the merits?
a. can refile if dismissed on procedural
(lack IPJ/SMJ, improper V, failed to
join necessary party (R19)
3) Same claim (Transactional Test)
a. Minority: primary rights = diff. claim
per right invaded; 2-Disease Rule
4) Same parties: same claimant v. same
/privity, same configuration
(CE) Issue Preclusion (often loser as shield)
1) Valid & final judgment?
2) Identical issue: exactly the same issue
3) Actually litigated/decided
4) Essential to judgment: beware alt. holds
5) Party to be Bound: was in Suit #1
6) Mutual v. Nonmutual?
Mutuality (Minority): party asserting CE
must have been in Suit #1
Defensive: new v. old (S1: sues 1,
loses. S2: sues 2, 2 pleads CE as
shield/bar); OK if had full chance to lit.
Offensive: new v. old (S1: 1 sues ,
loses. S2: 2 sues . 2 invokes CE as sword)
1) Could new have joined S1?
2) Unfair to ?
a. Stakes, inconsistent determinations of
issue, procedural constraints

CASE LIST
Bands Refuse: judge=neutral arbiter, pre-trial
hearings, joinder, pleading amendmts
IPJ - see PJ chart p. 5-6!
Notice (Service) 4
Mullane: reasonably calculated to inform
SMJ 1331, 1332
FQJ
Mottley: FQJ must arise under fed law
Osborn: fed ct. can hear if fed element/issue
Skelly Oil: need fed law dispute b/w and
Vornado: no plead fed counterclaim
Merrell Dow: state law w/ fed issue, mere
presence of fed issue does not confer SMJ
Grable: IRS notice, 4-pt test upheld SMJ
DivJ
Strawbridge: complete diversity for 1332(a)
SJ 1367
Gibbs: common nucleus, same case/contro
Owen: R14 need complete diversity
Alla/StarKist: SJ over addl s who fail to
satisfy AIC ok if still diverse, named AIC >
$75k, addl claims if same case/contro
Removal 1441/46/47
Venue 1391, 1404/06
Atlantic Marine: transfer to enforce forum
selection clause (FSC), uphold K validity
Ricoh: fed 1404 trumps state ban on FSC
Reyno: forum non conveniens test
Erie Doctrine - see Erie chart p. 27!
Pleadings 8, 11, 12, 15
Complaint
Conley: notice plead, no set of facts
Swierkiewicz: short & plain statement
Twombly: plausibility pleading
Iqbal: no legal conclusions, no fact detail
Kopmann: alt. plead ok, honesty in pleading
Tellabs: PSLRA specificity/heightened pleading
Zuk v. EPPI: sanction, inquiry into fact/law
Response
Darrah: default set aside for good cause
Crompton: ineffective denial = admission
Amendment
Krupski: relate back, new shouldve known
Crompton: no amend, would be prejudiced
Joinder 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24
Proper Parties
Kedra: police brutality, allow party joinder
Insolia: smokers, no joinder, not same T/O
3P Practice
Clark: 3P complaint proper for indemnity
Augenti: 3P & orig. suit need causal connect
Grutter: aff. action, intervention of right
Claims
Wigglesworth: labor union, permissive CC
needs independent jdxl grounds
Interpleader
SF v. Tashire: inappropriate, injunction to
stake only, all suits need judgment
Class Action
Hansberry: RJ no apply to absent class member
if inadequate rep. in class action
Walmart: need commonality
Reno: aliens, appropriate injunction class
Castano: state law differ, mass torts disfavor
Preclusion Doctrines
Moitie: RJ bars re-lit unappealed final jdgmt
Manego: same claim precluded (T/O test)
Lil Blue Goose: est. CE materiality grounds
Blonder Tongue: DCE ok (shield)
Parklane: offense OCE (sword) 2-pt test
Kremer: 1738 fed look at state preclusion law
Marrese: implied repeal 1738 only if in fed
Semtek: R41(b) re: preclusion gets a new
meaning: w/ prejudice FQJ=on merits,
DivJ=depends on state law