Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00264/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00264-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1335 Interpleader Action

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BECK & LEE, P.A.,

 Cross-Claimant,

 vs.

CASE NO. 11CV264 WQH JMA

ORDER

THE WESTON FIRM, P.C., 

 Cross-Defendant,

THE WESTON FIRM, P.C.,

 Cross-Claimant,

 vs.

BECK & LEE, P.A.,

 Cross-Defendant.

HAYES, Judge:

On February 8, 2011, First American Title Co. (“First American”) filed a Complaint for

Statutory Interpleader against John Kenneally; Bosa California, LLC; Bosa Development

California, Inc.; the Weston Firm, P.C. (“Weston”); and Beck & Lee, P.A. (“Beck & Lee”). 

(ECF No. 1). On February 15, 2011, First American deposited $65,000.00 into the Court’s

registry. (ECF No. 6). On August 24, 2011, the Court issued an order finding that the case

was an appropriate interpleader action under § 1335 and that First American was entitled to

- 1 - 11cv264 WQH JMA

Case 3:11-cv-00264-WQH-JMA Document 49 Filed 02/23/12 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

discharge from liability. (ECF No. 28).

 On September 7, 2011, Beck & Lee filed an Answer to the Complaint in Interpleader

and Cross-claim against Weston for declaratory relief and quantum meruit for legal work

performed in connection with Kenneally et al. v. Bank of Nova Scotia, et al., Case No. 09-

cv-02039-WQH JMA. (ECF No. 29). Beck & Lee asserted that the Court had jurisdiction

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1335 (interpleader). 

On September 28, 2011, Weston filed an Answer to the Cross-claim and filed a Crossclaim against Beck & Lee for declaratory judgment that Weston does not owe any money to

Beck & Lee. (ECF No. 34). Weston asserted that the court had subject matter jurisdiction

“pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367 because the subject matter of [the Weston firm]’s Cross-Claim

relate[d] to the same case or controversy underlying the Interpleader Action and [Beck &

Lee]’s Cross-Claim.” Id. at 4. 

On December 5, 2011, the parties filed a Joint Motion for Entry of Order for

Disbursement of Interpleader Funds (ECF No. 43) which was granted. The interpleader funds

were disbursed and the Complaint in Interpleader filed by First American was dismissed. All

claims against First American and Defendants Bosa California, LLC, Bosa Development

California, Inc., and John Kenneally were also dismissed. 

On February 1, 2012, this Court issued an Order stating: 

[T]he Court no longer has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1335. 

The only claims that remain are Beck & Lee’s claim against Weston for

declaratory relief and quantum meruit for legal work performed in

connection with Kenneally and Weston’s claim against Beck & Lee for

declaratory judgment that Weston does not owe any money to Beck &

Lee. It appears that the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the

Cross-Claim filed by Beck & Lee and Cross-Claim filed by Weston. 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Cross-Claimant Beck & Lee,

P.A. and Cross-Claimant the Weston Firm P.C. are ORDERED TO

SHOW CAUSE why this case should not be dismissed for lack of

subject matter jurisdiction. This action will be dismissed unless, no

later than twenty (20) days from the date of this Order, Cross-Claimant

Beck & Lee, P.A. and Cross-Claimant the Weston Firm P.C. show a

basis for subject matter jurisdiction. 

(ECF No. 46 at 3). 

On February 21, 2012, Cross-Claimant Beck & Lee, P.A. filed a response to the Order

- 2 - 11cv264 WQH JMA

Case 3:11-cv-00264-WQH-JMA Document 49 Filed 02/23/12 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

to Show Cause stating that it “respectfully agrees that the Court no longer possesses subject

matter jurisdiction. However, any dismissal entered by the Court should be without prejudice.” 

(ECF No. 47 at 2) (citation omitted). 

On February 21, 2012, Cross-Claimant the Weston Firm P.C. that it “supports dismissal

of the action in light of the disbursement of interplead funds.” (ECF No. 48 at 2). 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case is DISMISSED without prejudice for lack

of subject matter jurisdiction.

DATED: February 23, 2012

WILLIAM Q. HAYES

United States District Judge

- 3 - 11cv264 WQH JMA

Case 3:11-cv-00264-WQH-JMA Document 49 Filed 02/23/12 Page 3 of 3