Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_06-cv-00024/USCOURTS-cand-4_06-cv-00024-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 790
Nature of Suit: Other Labor Litigation
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Petition for Removal

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SHILOH HOOD, an individual

Plaintiff,

 v.

THE TERMINIX INTERNATIONAL

COMPANY, L.P., a Delaware limited

partnership, and DOES 1 to 20,

Defendants. /

No. C 06-0024 SBA

ORDER

[Docket No. 23]

This matter comes before the Court on the Motion of Defendant Terminix International

Company, L.P. to Dismiss Plaintiff's Action, or, in the Alternative, Stay the Action Pending

Arbitration. Having read and considered the arguments presented by the parties in the papers

submitted to the Court, the Court finds this matter appropriate for resolution without a hearing. The

Court hereby DENIES without prejudice Defendant's Motion.

In the instant Motion, Defendant seeks to dismiss or to stay Plaintiff's action pending

arbitration. Defendant asserts that the action should be dismissed or stayed pursuant to the

Employment Agreement and the Arbitration Agreement which the parties entered into on November

6, 2001. The Employment Agreement provides, in relevant part: 

The Employer and Employee agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all

disputes between them will be submitted to mediation upon terms mutually agreeable to

both parties. In the event the parties do not resolve such controversies through mediation, then the Employer and Employee agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and

all such controversies between them will be submitted for resolution to binding arbitration in

Case 4:06-cv-00024-SBA Document 38 Filed 05/15/06 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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accordance with the attached Arbitration Agreement, which is incorporated herein by

reference. The parties understand and agree that in the event mediation is unsuccessful, then arbitration will be the exclusive forum for resolving disputes between them, including

statutory claims and all disputes arising out of the employment relationship and the

termination of such relationship.

(emphasis added).

The parties concede that they have not engaged in mediation to resolve their disputes, as

provided by the Employment Agreement. Plaintiff maintains that the parties' failure to submit to

mediation renders this Motion premature. Defendant agrees to participate in mediation, however,

requests the Court to rule on this Motion first. The Court declines to render what would be

tantamount to an advisory opinion. See generally, Steel Co. v. Citizens for a Better Environment,

523 U.S. 83, 101 (1998) (noting that federal courts lack authority to issue advisory opinions). A

mediation between the parties may resolve their dispute. The parties' agreement to arbitrate is only

triggered by an unsuccessful mediation. If and when that occurs, disputes regarding arbitration will

be ripe for the adjudication by this Court. 

Accordingly,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the Motion of Defendant Terminix International

Company, L.P. to Dismiss Plaintiff's Action, or in the Alternative, Stay the Action Pending

Arbitration is DENIED without prejudice as premature. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT the Case Management Conference is CONTINUED

from May 16, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. to July 6, 2006 at 3:30 p.m.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 5/15/06 

 SAUNDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG

United States District Judge

Case 4:06-cv-00024-SBA Document 38 Filed 05/15/06 Page 2 of 2