Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-05030/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-05030-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 791
Nature of Suit: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Cause of Action: 29:185 Employee Pension Plan

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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

LARRY TOTTEN, et al,

Plaintiffs,

v

BLAIR EXCAVATORS, INC, et al, 

Defendants. /

No C-03-5030 - VRW

ORDER

On November 12, 2003, plaintiffs sued Blair Excavators,

Inc, and Victor Blair for damages and injunctive relief under the

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 USC §§ 1001 et

seq, alleging breach of a collective bargaining agreement. Doc #1. 

On April 13, 2005, plaintiffs moved pursuant to FRCP 25(a)(1) to

substitute Deborah Jean Blair for defendant Victor Blair, who

apparently died shortly after being served in August 2004. Doc

##24, 36-1. The court denied without prejudice plaintiffs’ motion

to substitute due to a defect in service. Doc #40. 

//

Case 3:03-cv-05030-VRW Document 48 Filed 11/22/06 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Soon thereafter, plaintiffs again moved for “an order

substituting the surviving spouse, Deborah Jean Blair, in place of

deceased defendant, Victor A Blair, in the action filed herein.” 

Doc #42. The court found that plaintiffs’ claims against Victor

Blair would survive against a properly substituted party, but

ordered plaintiffs to show cause why Deborah Blair is a proper

party for substitution under Rule 25(a)(1). Doc #45 at 4. 

Under FRCP 25(a)(1), “[i]f a party dies and the claim is

not thereby extinguished, the court may order substitution of the

proper parties.” The proper party for substitution is “the person

who has the legal right and authority to * * * defend against the

claims brought against the deceased party.” James William Moore, 6

Moore’s Federal Practice § 25.12[3] (Matthew Bender 3d ed 2006). 

The movant must provide evidence that the party to be substituted

is the successor in interest or legal representative of the

decedent. See Hilao v Estate of Marcos, 103 F3d 762, 766 (9th Cir

1996) (applying Rule 25(a)(1) to legal representatives of the

deceased defendant’s estate); Mallonee v Fahey, 200 F2d 918, 919

(9th Cir 1952) (“Rule 25(a)(1) applies only to the substitution of

legal representatives”)). 

In response to the court’s order to show cause,

plaintiffs submitted a memorandum supporting substitution,

accompanied by a declaration from plaintiffs’ attorney, Bruce K

Leigh, and a series of exhibits. Doc ##47-1, 47-2. These exhibits

demonstrate that Deborah Blair is both a successor in interest and

legal representative of Victor Blair in satisfaction of FRCP

25(a)(1). Plaintiffs’ assertion that Deborah Blair and Victor

Blair were married is supported by, inter alia, a private

Case 3:03-cv-05030-VRW Document 48 Filed 11/22/06 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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investigator’s report listing “Deborah” as Victor Blair’s spouse

and a copy of Victor Allen Blair’s death certificate listing

“Deborah Blair-wife” as the informant. Doc #47-2 Ex B, H. 

Additionally, that Deborah Blair held an officer position at

defendant corporation is evidenced by a copy of a contractor’s

license for Blair Excavators, Inc, listing her as an officer. Id

at Ex J. 

The court finds that plaintiffs have demonstrated that

Deborah Blair is a proper party for substitution under Rule

25(a)(1). Accordingly, plaintiffs’ motion to substitute Deborah

Blair in place of deceased defendant Victor Blair is GRANTED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

 

VAUGHN R WALKER

United States District Chief Judge

Case 3:03-cv-05030-VRW Document 48 Filed 11/22/06 Page 3 of 3