Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_10-cv-01649/USCOURTS-casd-3_10-cv-01649-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Insurance Contract

---

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

1 10cv1649 BTM(POR)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY

COMPANY OF AMERICA, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

Case No. 10cv1649 BTM(POR)

ORDER CONTINUING HEARING ON

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE AND

REQUIRING SUPPLEMENTAL

BRIEFING

v.

EVEREST INDEMNITY INSURANCE

COMPANY, et al.

Defendants.

In an Order to Show Cause filed on August 19, 2010, the Court ordered Plaintiffs to

show cause why this case should not be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The Court

explained that with respect to defendant CRV El Centro Partners, L.P. (“CRV El Centro”), it

is unclear whether any of the partners of the limited partnership are citizens of Connecticut,

Iowa, or Minnesota, a circumstance that would destroy diversity. 

In their response to the OSC, Plaintiffs submit copies of a Certificate of Limited

Partnership and Amendment filed by CRV El Centro with the Secretary of State for the State

of California. These papers show that the business address for CRV El Centro’s general

partner, Capstone Residential Venture IX (GP/El Centro) LLC, is in California. However, the

fact that the general partner’s address is in California does not answer the question of the

general partner’s citizenship. For purposes of diversity jurisdiction, a partnership is a citizen

of all of the states of which its partners are citizens. It appears that Capstone Residential

Case 3:10-cv-01649-BTM-POR Document 17 Filed 09/30/10 Page 1 of 2
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

2 10cv1649 BTM(POR)

Venture IX LLC is the sole member of Capstone Residential Venture IX (GP/El Centro) LLC.

The Court does not know the citizenship of the members of Capstone Residential Venture

IX LLC, and therefore cannot make a determination regarding the citizenship of Capstone

Residential Venture IX (GP/El Centro).

Plaintiffs also point to CRV El Centro’s cross-complaint, which contains the allegation:

“All partners of CRV El Centro Partners, LP are and were at all times mentioned herein,

residents of the State of California, living in the County of San Diego.” However, the fact that

the partners may be “residents” of California does not mean that they are not citizens of other

states. For purposes of venue, “residence” of an unincorporated association is the place

where it conducts its principal business operations. Decker Coal Co. v. Commonwealth

Edison Co., 805 F.2d 834, 841 (9th Cir. 1986). In contrast, for purposes of diversity

jurisdiction, a partnership or association is a citizen of every state in which any of its

members is domiciled.

It is still unclear whether the Court has diversity jurisdiction over this action.

Therefore, the Court orders Plaintiffs to file a supplemental response on or before October

18, 2010. The Court CONTINUES the hearing on the OSC to October 22, 2010 at 11:00

a.m. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, there shall be no oral argument and no

personal appearances are necessary.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: September 29, 2010

Honorable Barry Ted Moskowitz

United States District Judge

Case 3:10-cv-01649-BTM-POR Document 17 Filed 09/30/10 Page 2 of 2