Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_15-cv-03736/USCOURTS-cand-4_15-cv-03736-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 290
Nature of Suit: Other Real Property Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1345 Foreclosure

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

M&T BANK,

Plaintiff,

v.

PAULA WHITEROCK,

Defendant.

Case No. 15-cv-03736-JCS 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE WHY CASE 

SHOULD NOT BE REMANDED AND 

DEFENDANT SHOULD NOT PAY 

ATTORNEYS' FEES

This is an unlawful detainer action originally filed in the California Superior Court for the 

County of Sonoma. Defendant Paula Whiterock previously removed to this Court asserting 

diversity jurisdiction. See generally M&T Bank v. Whiterock, No. 4:15-cv-00914-YGR (N.D. 

Cal.) (the “914 Case”). After Whiterock failed to appear at a case management conference, the 

Court issued an order to show cause why the case should not be remanded. Order to Show Cause 

(914 Case dkt. 13). Whiterock failed to respond to that order, failed to appear at the show cause 

hearing, and failed to respond to repeated notices from the Clerk instructing her to either consent 

to or decline magistrate judge jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). The undersigned 

magistrate judge issued a report and recommendation that the case be remanded. Report & 

Recommendation (“R&R,” 914 Case dkt. 15). Because Whiterock had not consented, the case 

was reassigned a United States district judge, the Honorable Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. The Court 

adopted the report and recommendation in full, and remanded the case to state court. Order (914 

Case dkt. 18).

Whiterock has now once again removed to this Court asserting diversity jurisdiction under 

28 U.S.C. § 1332. Her present notice of removal is identical to her first notice of removal except 

for the date, and does not address any of the reasons why the case was previously remanded. See

1st Notice of Removal (914 Case dkt. 1); 2d Notice of Removal (dkt. 1).

Case 4:15-cv-03736-YGR Document 4 Filed 08/26/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

If a case is improperly removed, “[a]n order remanding the case may require payment of 

just costs and any actual expenses, including attorney fees, incurred as a result of the removal.” 28 

U.S.C. § 1447(c). An award of attorneys’ fees may be appropriate where removal has been 

“sought for the purpose of prolonging litigation and imposing costs on the opposing party,” and 

“the standard for awarding fees should turn on the reasonableness of the removal.” Martin v. 

Franklin Capital Corp., 546 U.S. 132, 140−41 (2005).

Accordingly, Whiterock is hereby ORDERED to show cause why this action should not be 

remanded to the California Superior Court for the County of Sonoma, and why Whiterock should 

not be liable for M&T Bank’s reasonable attorneys’ fees. Whiterock may file a response to this 

Order no later than Thursday, September 10, 2015, and shall appear for a show cause 

hearing at 9:30 AM on Friday, September 11, 2015 in Courtroom G, located on the 15th 

floor of the federal courthouse at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California.1 If 

Whiterock fails to appear, the undersigned will recommend that the case be remanded and may 

recommend that Whiterock be sanctioned.

Whiterock, who is not represented by counsel, is encouraged to consult with the Federal 

Pro Bono Project’s Legal Help Center in either of the Oakland or San Francisco federal 

courthouses for assistance. The San Francisco Legal Help Center office is located in Room 2796 

on the 15th floor at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102. The Oakland office is 

located in Room 470-S on the 4th floor at 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612. Appointments 

can be made by calling (415) 782-8982 or signing up in the appointment book located outside 

either office, and telephone appointments are available. Lawyers at the Legal Help Center can 

provide basic assistance to parties representing themselves but cannot provide legal representation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 26, 2015

______________________________________

JOSEPH C. SPERO

Chief Magistrate Judge

 

1 Counsel for M&T Bank is encouraged to request a telephonic appearance in order to minimize 

attorneys’ fees.

Case 4:15-cv-03736-YGR Document 4 Filed 08/26/15 Page 2 of 2