Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_15-cv-02478/USCOURTS-azd-2_15-cv-02478-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 320
Nature of Suit: Assault, Libel, and Slander
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal Libel,Assault,Slander

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WO 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 

Mari Dawn Lloyd, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

Gloria Roberta Lakritz, 

Defendant.

No. CV-15-02478-PHX-DLR

ORDER 

 Defendant Gloria Lakritz has filed a motion to transfer venue, (Doc. 24), and a 

motion to dismiss and/or motion for more definite statement, (Doc. 22). Plaintiff Mari 

Lloyd has filed a motion to dismiss three of Lakritz’s counterclaims. (Doc. 31.) The 

Court heard oral argument on the motion to transfer on May 3, 2015. Neither party 

requested oral argument on the motions to dismiss. For the reasons stated below, 

Lakritz’s motion to transfer is denied, Lakritz’s motion to dismiss is granted, and Lloyd’s 

motion to dismiss is granted. 

BACKGROUND

 In July 2013, Plaintiff Mari Lloyd, a citizen of Arizona, and Defendant Gloria 

Lakritz, a citizen of Florida, formed Lakritz & Lloyd Wealth Management, LLC 

(“L&L”), an Arizona limited liability company with its principal place of business in 

Maricopa County, Arizona. (Doc. 21, ¶¶ 1, 2, 8, 9.) The parties allegedly formed L&L 

to operate as the Arizona office for ENG Financial Corporation (“ENG”), a Florida 

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corporation formed by Lakritz in 2007. (Id., ¶¶ 6, 7.) Allegedly, the parties understood 

that, within one to two years, L&L would merge with ENG so that Lakritz could move to 

Arizona and the parties could service their clients in Arizona. (Id., ¶ 11.) However, the 

partnership was never memorialized in writing.1

 

 Prior to the formation of L&L, Lloyd represented to Lakritz that she would not 

“go into business with [her] unless the new company paid back part of an advance she 

owed to Merrill Lynch, her former employer.” (Id., ¶ 12.) Therefore, “Lloyd and Lakritz 

borrowed $70,000 from J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. (“JW Cole”) and executed a Loan 

Agreement and Promissory Note (the “Note”) in their personal capacities.” (Id.) 

 Throughout 2014, L&L and ENG operated as separate entities, and the parties’ 

commissions were deposited into separate accounts in Arizona and Florida. (Id., ¶ 14.) 

Around that same time, Lloyd entered into a lease agreement with 4D Limited 

Partnership on behalf of L&L, which was personally guaranteed by both Lloyd and 

Lakritz. (Id., ¶ 16.) In January 2015, the companies began merging and the bank 

accounts were combined; Lloyd contributed $22,754.99 in capital and Lakritz contributed 

$21,754.99. (Id., ¶ 17.) “Lakritz repeatedly assured Lloyd that Lloyd was a 50% owner 

of ENG,” and that Lloyd would inherit all of the business of the companies once Lakritz 

retired. (Id., ¶ 19.) 

 The companies never completely merged, however, and in August 2015 the parties 

decided to end their business relationship. (Id., ¶¶ 25, 27.) Lloyd withdrew $27,656 

from the L&L account. (Id., ¶ 28.) Later, Lakritz withdrew approximately $28,000 from 

the L&L account to pay for expenses allegedly unrelated to L&L, which resulted in 

insufficient funds to cover the lease payment. (Id., ¶¶ 29, 30.) 

 On February 24, 2016, Lloyd filed an amended complaint against Lakritz seeking 

a declaration that she is a 50% owner of ENG, claiming that her ownership stake is worth 

approximately $250,000. (Id., ¶¶ 33-41.) Lloyd seeks judicial dissolution and 

supervision of L&L pursuant to A.R.S. § 29-785(A). (Id., ¶¶ 42-68.) She also alleges 

 

1

 Lloyd’s counsel confirmed this fact at the hearing. 

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claims for defamation and false light. (Id., ¶¶ 69-81.) 

 On March 8, 2016, Lakritz filed counterclaims for misappropriation of funds, 

breach of fiduciary duty, intentional interference with business relations, and conversion. 

(Doc. 25.) Lakritz alleges Lloyd used L&L funds for her law degree expenses, bar 

preparation course, and personal meals. (Id., ¶ 9.) She further alleges Lloyd refused to 

participate in weekly telephone conferences, used $1,794 of L&L funds for her license 

plates, and paid her husband’s $400 debt to the Arizona Department of Revenue. (Id., ¶¶ 

11-12.) Lloyd also allegedly disbursed two checks for $4,375 to herself in March and 

June of 2015. (Id., ¶ 13.) Lakritz asserts Lloyd began using L&L staff to complete tasks 

related to Lloyd’s law practice, as well as withdrawing an additional $27,656.66 from the 

L&L bank account in August 2015 for her personal benefit. (Id., ¶¶ 16, 18.) Lloyd 

allegedly removed two computers and furniture from L&L’s office and has threatened 

legal action against JW Cole. (Id., ¶¶ 20-24.) 

LAKRITZ’S MOTION TO TRANSFER

 Lakritz argues this case should be transferred to the Middle District of Florida 

because ENG is incorporated in Florida, several anticipated witnesses reside in Florida, 

the alleged torts were committed in Florida, and the case has a limited connection with 

Arizona. Lloyd asserts several key documents were negotiated and executed in Arizona, 

and that it would not be inconvenient for Lakritz to travel to Arizona because she 

maintains two residential properties in Arizona. She also claims several key witnesses 

reside in Arizona. 

I. Legal Standard 

 “For the convenience of the parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a 

district court may transfer any civil action to any other district or division where it might 

have been brought[.]” 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). “The decision of whether to transfer a case 

is within the broad discretion of the district court,” Berry v. Potter, No. CIV 04-2922 

PHX RCB, 2006 WL 335841, at *3 (D. Ariz. Feb. 10, 2006) (citing Jones v. GNC 

Franchising, Inc., 211 F.3d 495, 498 (9th Cir. 2000)), and requires “an individualized, 

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case-by-case consideration of convenience and fairness.” Stewart Org. v. Ricoh Corp., 

487 U.S. 22, 29 (1988) (internal quotation marks omitted). The court must “weigh 

multiple factors in its determination whether transfer is appropriate in a particular case.” 

Jones, 211 F.3d at 498. Such factors include: (1) the location where the relevant 

agreements were negotiated and executed, (2) the state most familiar with governing law, 

(3) the plaintiff’s choice of forum, (4) the parties’ contacts with the forum, (5) the 

contacts relating to the plaintiff’s cause of action, (6) differences in cost to litigate in each 

forum, (7) the availability of compulsory process to compel attendance of unwilling nonparty witnesses, and (8) the ease of access to sources of proof. Id. The moving party 

bears the burden of demonstrating transfer is appropriate, and therefore “must make a 

strong showing of inconvenience to warrant upsetting the plaintiff’s choice of forum.” 

Decker Coal Co. v. Commonwealth Edison Co., 805 F.2d 834, 843 (9th Cir. 1986). 

II. Analysis 

 It is undisputed that Lloyd could have brought this action in the Middle District of 

Florida. (Doc. 26 at 5.) Thus, the Court turns to the aforementioned factors in analyzing 

whether transfer is appropriate in this case, while also acknowledging that “great weight 

is generally accorded plaintiff’s choice of forum[.]” Lou v. Belzberg, 834 F.2d 730, 739 

(9th Cir. 1987). 

A. Location Where the Relevant Agreements were Negotiated and Executed 

 The parties agree that the L&L lease with 4D Limited Partnership was executed in 

Arizona. (Doc. 26-1, ¶ 9.) At the hearing, counsel for both parties agreed that no 

partnership document exists, but were unable to agree on where the alleged oral 

agreement was negotiated. Counsel agreed that the JW Cole promissory note was made 

and negotiated in Florida, signed in Arizona, and is currently held in Florida. 

Accordingly, because the locale of the execution of the relevant documents appears to be 

split, this factor neither favors nor disfavors transfer. 

B. State Most Familiar with Governing Law 

 Lloyd seeks to establish her ownership stake in ENG, dissolve L&L, and claims 

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Lakritz made defamatory statements about her on social media. ENG is a Florida 

corporation, and thus Florida has more familiarity with the governing law and also has a 

great interest in adjudicating the rights and obligations of one of its corporations. 

However, L&L is an Arizona limited liability company, and thus this Court has more 

familiarity with the law governing dissolution of the company, as well as an interest in 

adjudicating the rights and obligations of L&L. With respect to the tort claims, Lloyd 

claims Arizona law applies because she originally filed in Maricopa County Superior 

Court. But Lloyd does not specify where Lakritz made the defamatory statements or 

where they were published. There are no allegations regarding to whom such statements 

were made, nor does Lloyd allege that she suffered damage in Arizona, as opposed to 

Florida.2

 As such, the Court cannot determine what law applies to the tort claims. 

Accordingly, because some of claims involve application of Florida law and others 

involve application of Arizona law, this factor is a wash. 

C. The Parties’ Contacts with the Forum 

 Lloyd is an Arizona citizen and resides here. Lakritz is a citizen of Florida, but 

maintains two homes in Arizona and frequently visits Arizona. (Doc. 32 at 2.) Many of 

the discussions involving the alleged partnership allegedly took place in Arizona. In 

addition, the parties opened the L&L bank account in Arizona, opened another bank 

account for commissions in Gilbert, Arizona, executed a lease with 4D Limited 

Partnership on behalf of L&L, and Lakritz is alleged to have conducted ENG business in 

Arizona. (Doc. 26 at 10.) The Court finds that both Lloyd and Lakritz’s contacts with 

Arizona are substantial, and therefore this factor disfavors transfer. 

D. The Contacts Related to Plaintiff’s Causes of Action 

 Although Lloyd brings tort claims and moves to dissolve L&L, the crux of her 

case is that she is entitled to 50% of ENG via the alleged oral partnership agreement. She 

alleges her interest is worth $250,000 and seeks a declaration regarding her ownership. 

 

2

 Lloyd asserts that she “clearly alleges” that the statements were made to JW 

Cole. (Doc. 26 at 13.) But the amended complaint does not specify to whom such statements were made. (See Doc. 21, ¶¶ 69-81.) 

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Compared to Lloyd’s other claims, there is little doubt that this claim is the most 

substantial part of the underlying dispute. Indeed, Lloyd conceded at the hearing that the 

only issue remaining in order to complete the dissolution of L&L is a determination of 

which party must satisfy L&L’s last creditor: 4D Limited Partnership, the company with 

which the parties executed a lease for L&L’s office. Furthermore, Lloyd’s tort claims are 

so vague that the Court cannot determine which forum has more contacts related to those 

claims. At the hearing, the parties conceded that the appropriate forum is dependent on 

where the alleged defamatory statements were made. But neither party presented any 

evidence regarding this issue. Moreover, simply from a monetary standpoint, the tort 

claims are less substantial than Lloyd’s claim of ownership in ENG. 

 Turning to the most substantial claims in Lloyd’s complaint, her claim for 

declaratory relief, the Court finds the contacts related to this claim favor transfer. Lloyd 

alleges the partnership was negotiated in Arizona. But Lakritz disputes this fact, and at 

the hearing, neither party could affirmatively articulate where the alleged partnership 

agreement was discussed and executed. However, Lloyd seeks to adjudicate her interest 

in a corporation formed under Florida law, and at least two witnesses, Lakritz and ENG’s 

accountant, are Florida residents. ENG’s records are presumably located in Florida, and 

Lloyd does not dispute that she traveled to Florida in 2014 and 2015 to meet new clients 

and attend events. (Doc. 24-1, ¶ 8.) Consequently, because this claim is the most 

substantial portion of the case, and because the claim is substantially connected with 

Florida, this factor favors transfer. 

E. Availability of Compulsory Process & Ease to Access of Sources of Proof 

 At the hearing, the parties agreed that the case largely turns on their own 

testimony. Although, Lloyd identified four other witnesses who may be called upon to 

testify: Lauren Olsen, Patty Mattern, Rebecca Hall, and Joan Kruger, all of whom are 

Arizona residents, she fails to identify the anticipated content of their testimony. (Doc. 

26 at 14.) Likewise, Lakritz identified several Florida residents that may be called as 

witnesses, including several JW Cole employees and ENG’s secretary. (Doc. 24 at 5.) 

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But she fails to specifically identify any JW Cole employees necessary for her defense or 

to prosecute her claims. Nor did she identify the anticipated content of their testimony. 

And given the fact that ENG’s accountant is still an employee of ENG, the Court assumes 

Lakritz could compel her testify on behalf of Lakritz and ENG. See Berry, 2006 WL 

335841, at *5 (“However, as each remains in the Postal Service’s employ, their location 

does not mandate transfer. The Court presumes the Postal Service can compel their 

attendance at trial in Arizona.”). Accordingly, this factor is a wash. 

 With respect to the ease of access to sources of proof, Lakritz likewise failed to 

specifically identify any information that is necessary for her case. The Court may not 

speculate as to what evidence is necessary, where it is located, and how difficult it may 

be to produce. Consequently, this factor disfavors transfer. 

F. Conclusion 

 On balance, the Court finds the factors disfavor transferring this action to the 

Middle District of Florida. Although the crux of Lloyd’s complaint is that she is entitled 

to an ownership stake in a Florida corporation, Lakritz has failed to make a strong 

showing of inconvenience necessary for transfer. However, should discovery reveal that 

the parties’ claims require witnesses outside the subpoena power of the Court, and if it is 

discovered that Lloyd’s other claims have a greater connection to Florida, transfer may 

become appropriate later in this litigation. As such, the Court denies the motion without 

prejudice. 

MOTIONS TO DISMISS 

 Lakritz moves to dismiss Lloyd’s amended complaint under Fed. R. Civ. P. 

12(b)(6). In addition, Lloyd moves to dismiss three of Lakritz’s counterclaims. The 

Court will address each motion in turn. 

I. Legal Standard 

 To survive dismissal for failure to state a claim pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 12(b)(6), a complaint must contain factual allegations sufficient to “raise a 

right to relief above the speculative level.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 

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(2007). The task when ruling on a motion to dismiss “is to evaluate whether the claims 

alleged [plausibly] can be asserted as a matter of law.” See Adams v. Johnson, 355 F.3d 

1179, 1183 (9th Cir. 2004); see also Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). When 

analyzing the sufficiency of a complaint, the well-pled factual allegations are taken as 

true and construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Cousins v. Lockyer, 568 

F.3d 1063, 1067 (9th Cir. 2009). However, legal conclusions couched as factual 

allegations are not entitled to the assumption of truth, Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 680, and 

therefore are insufficient to defeat a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, In re 

Cutera Sec. Litig., 610 F.3d 1103, 1108 (9th Cir. 2008). 

II. Lakritz’s Motion 

 Lakritz moves to dismiss Lloyd’s amended complaint or, alternatively, she moves 

for a more definite statement under Rule 12(e). She argues Lloyd’s amended complaint 

is vague and fails to plausibly establish that she is entitled to a 50% ownership in ENG. 

Lakritz also asserts Lloyd fails to establish that the Court’s intervention in necessary to 

dissolve and wind up L&L. Last, she argues that Lloyd’s defamation claims fail to 

identify the content of the alleged defamatory statements, where they were made, and to 

whom such statements were published.3

 

A. Declaratory Judgment 

 In count one of her amended complaint, Lloyd seeks a declaration pursuant to 

A.R.S. § 12-1831 that she has a 50% ownership interest in ENG. (Doc. 21, ¶¶ 33-41.) 

She alleges that L&L and ENG began merging in January 2015 by combining bank 

accounts. (Id., ¶ 34.) Lloyd further alleges that she made a capital contribution to the 

companies and that Lakritz assured her that she was a 50% owner of ENG. (Id., ¶¶ 35-

35.) Lloyd asserts Lakritz is now claiming sole ownership in ENG. (Id., ¶ 37.) 

 Lloyd alleges that she and Lakritz were members of L&L, and that eventually 

 

3

 Lakritz argues Lloyd fails to establish that the Court has jurisdiction in this case because the amended complaint fails to identify what conduct occurred in Arizona or 

what property is located in Arizona. (Doc. 22 at 4.) But Lloyd is an Arizona citizen and L&L is an Arizona corporation. These allegations meet the minimum jurisdictional pleading requirements. 

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ENG would close once the companies merged. (Id., ¶ 11.) But L&L and ENG did not 

merge, and thus notably absent from the allegations is an identifiable legal basis under 

which Lloyd believes she is entitled to ownership in ENG. The amended complaint 

contains only bare assertions of ownership. She does not allege that the parties signed a 

contract, nor does she directly allege an oral agreement exists granting her such an 

interest. There are no allegations regarding whether ENG’s articles of incorporation were 

amended to include Lloyd as an owner, when the parties decided to become partners, 

where any alleged agreement was executed, and the specific terms of such an agreement. 

In addition, there are no allegations detailing the specifics of any such merger and when it 

would take place. These allegations certainly create an inference that Lloyd is a 50% 

owner of L&L, that Lloyd was induced to work for Lakritz, that they formed L&L in 

order to accomplish this, and that the two companies might eventually merge into a single 

entity. These same allegations, however, fail to plausibly establish Lloyd’s alleged 

ownership in ENG should the merger fall through. Lloyd fails to identify any legal basis 

to support her claim, and thus she fails to plausibly allege that she is entitled to a stake in 

ENG. 

 Lloyd argues that she states a claim for declaratory relief under A.R.S. § 12-1832. 

(Doc. 27 at 9.) But the statute provides “[a]ny person interested under a deed, will, 

written contract or other writings . . . may have determined any question of construction 

or validity arising under the instrument . . . and obtain a declaration of rights, status or 

other legal relations thereunder.” § 12-1832. Lloyd does not allege that she is entitled to 

an interest in ENG via written document. At the most, she claims Lakritz promised her 

an interest if the L&L and ENG merged. This statute is inapplicable. 

B. Judicial Dissolution of L&L 

 In counts two and three, Lloyd seeks to dissolve L&L under A.R.S. § 29-785(A) 

and seeks the Court’s supervision in doing so. (Doc. 21, ¶¶ 42-68.) She alleges that she 

and Lakritz dispute how L&L “should be operated and what expenses should be paid by 

the business.” (Id., ¶ 46.) She claims Lakritz removed $28,000 from L&L, “but upon 

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information and belief, has not used the funds for L&L’s benefit.” (Id., ¶ 50.) 

Furthermore, she claims L&L “must be dissolved due to the management deadlock 

between Lloyd and Lakritz,” (Id., ¶ 58), and that Court supervision is necessary because 

Lakritz “has been unwilling to agree to an amicable split of the companies’ assets.” (Id., 

¶ 63.) 

 Lakritz argues there is no need for Court supervision of the dissolution of L&L 

because there is nothing left in dispute. She asserts the L&L bank account is empty. The 

only outstanding issue is satisfaction of L&L’s last creditor, 4D Limited Partnership, for 

which the parties have agreed that they need to find a new tenant. (Doc. 33 at 3.) Lakritz 

agrees to a non-judicial dissolution under A.R.S. § 29-781, which only requires the 

consent of both members of L&L. (Doc. 22 at 5.) She asserts these claims are a waste of 

judicial resources. 

 Given Lakritz’s agreement to dissolve L&L, there appears to be no need for Court 

supervision. The parties agree that the only outstanding issue is how to satisfy the 

remainder of the lease owed to 4D Limited Management. Lloyd claims this requires a 

determination of the parties’ rights in ENG. But the companies never merged, nor are 

there allegations that 4D Limited Management is a creditor of ENG. Furthermore, 

although the lease was executed on behalf of L&L, it was personally guaranteed by both 

Lloyd and Lakritz. (Doc. 21, ¶ 16.) The only issue the Court must potentially decide is 

who must satisfy the outstanding lease, an issue raised in Lakritz’s counterclaims that 

will be decided in this litigation separate from Lloyd’s claims. 

 In sum, Lloyd’s bare allegations regarding Lakritz’s efforts to stall dissolution are 

fatal to her claim. She claims Lakritz has made “unreasonable demands upon Lloyd and 

insisted that Lloyd pay her money that Lakritz was not entitled.” (Doc. 27 at 11.) In 

addition, she states that “Lakritz continuously refused to agree to an amicable split of the 

companies’ assets and liability and instead made it clear she would not take responsibility 

for legitimate company liabilities and expenses.” (Id.) But she fails to identify any 

particular issues necessary for the Court to intervene, and Lakritz’s counterclaims seek to 

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adjudicate ultimate responsibility for the outstanding debt to 4D Limited Management. 

As such, Lakritz fails to state a claim for involuntary dissolution of L&L as well as the 

need for the Court’s supervision. 

C. Tort Claims 

 Count four alleges a claim for defamation and count five alleges a claim for false 

light. (Doc. 21, ¶¶ 69-81.) Lloyd claims Lakritz “made disparaging and false statements 

through social media, electronic communications and verbal means to common 

acquaintances of Lloyd and Lakritz and the public to the effect that Lloyd was a thief and 

had been stealing money from L&L.” (Id., ¶ 70.) She claims these statements were made 

in mid to late 2015, and that they “consisted of matters that gave publicity to falsities 

concerning Lloyd placing her in a false light.” (Id., ¶ 78.) Lakritz argues these 

allegations are vague and fail to state a plausible claim. The Court agrees. 

 To establish defamation under Arizona law, a plaintiff must show (1) a false 

statement, (2) unprivileged publication of the statement to a third party, (3) and fault 

amounting to negligence on the part of the publisher. Boswell v. Phx. Newspapers, Inc., 

730 P.2d 178, 180 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1985). False light occurs when the defendant gives 

publicity to a private matter concerning another that places the other before the public in 

a false light, the false light is highly offensive to a reasonable person, and the actor had 

knowledge or acted in disregard to the falsity of the published information. Godbehere v. 

Phx. Newspapers, Inc., 783 P.2d 781, 784 (Ariz. 1989). 

 Lloyd’s tort claims fail to identify the content of any alleged defamatory 

statement, the context in which it was made, whether the statement was spoken or 

written, where the statement was made, when it was made, and to whom it was published. 

With respect to Lloyd’s false light claim, she fails to identify what private matter Lakritz 

published to others that cast Lloyd in a false light. Indeed, Lloyd appears to concede that 

her allegations are vague, noting that “[t]his case is in the very early stages and Lloyd is 

still gathering information concerning the specific details surrounding her defamation and 

false light claims against Lakritz.” (Doc. 27 at 13.) But Lloyd may not throw out 

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conclusory allegations in hopes of supporting her claims through discovery. Lloyd must 

first state plausible claims against Lakritz. The Court will not permit Lloyd to engage in 

a fishing expedition. 

 Given the lack of information, the Court finds that Lloyd fails to allege plausible 

claims for defamation or false light. Furthermore, because the content of the statements 

has not been identified, Lakritz is unable to defend herself from such claims. 

Accordingly, both of these claims fail. 

D. Leave to Amend 

 Lloyd requests that the Court grant her leave to cure the deficiencies identified by 

the Court herein. The Court finds that amendment would not be futile or cause undue 

delay. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). Therefore, Lloyd may file a second amended complaint 

in accordance with LR Civ. 15.1(a). 

III. Lloyd’s Motion 

 Lloyd moves to dismiss three of Lakritz’s counterclaims: (1) misappropriation of 

funds, (2) breach of fiduciary duty, and (3) conversion. (Doc. 31.) She argues that these 

claims are derivative in nature and that Lakritz may not bring them individually. She also 

asserts that Lakritz failed to comply with A.R.S. § 29-831, and that a breach of fiduciary 

duty claim cannot be brought against members of an LLC. 

 Lakritz brings claims for misappropriation of funds, breach of fiduciary duty, and 

conversion on behalf of herself and L&L. (Doc. 25, ¶¶ 27-51, 58-68.) She alleges Lloyd 

used L&L funds to pay expenses for her legal education, pay off personal debt, renew her 

license plates, and pay her husband’s tax obligations, and withdrew $788 for a nonbusiness related purpose. (Id., ¶¶ 31-36.) She claims Lloyd breached her fiduciary duty 

to L&L by using funds for personal expenses, refused to participate in weekly business 

meetings with Lakritz, directed L&L employees to conduct business for Lloyd’s law 

practice, removed company property, and removed data from L&L’s business computers. 

(Id., ¶¶ 44-48.) Further, Lakritz alleges Lloyd converted company assets and property by 

withdrawing money for personal use and removing Lakritz’s furniture from L&L’s 

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office. (Id., ¶¶ 62-66.) 

 Lloyd argues these claims are wholly derivative in nature, and thus they cannot be 

brought on behalf of Lakritz individually. (Doc. 31 at 4-5.) An action is derivative “if 

the gravamen of the complaint is injury to the corporation, or to the whole body of its 

stock or property without any severance or distribution among individual holders, or if it 

seeks to recover assets for the corporation or to prevent the dissipation of assets.” Funk 

v. Spalding, 246 P.2d 184, 186 (Ariz. 1952). Direct actions are appropriate when “the 

injuries or damages were sustained by individual shareholders rather than by the 

corporation.” Albers v. Edelson Tech. Partners L.P., 31 P.3d 821, 826 (Ariz. Ct. App. 

2001). Here, Lakritz’s claims seek recovery of assets on behalf of L&L, and thus they 

are clearly derivative in nature. Lakritz fails to identify any specific individual damage, 

and thus her individual claims cannot stand. 

 In addition, Lloyd asserts that Lakritz’s derivative claims are barred because she 

failed to comply with A.R.S. § 29-831, which requires a member to make “demand on 

the manager or those members with such authority requesting that the manager or the 

members cause the limited liability company to sue in its own right” and that manager or 

members “wrongfully refuse to bring the action.” Lakritz claims “it would be futile to 

ask the other member of L&L to agree to bring a lawsuit because the lawsuit is directed 

at the only other member.” (Doc. 38 at 6.) She also alleges that she demanded Lloyd to 

return to money to L&L both verbally and via email. (Doc. 25, ¶ 15.) But Arizona law is 

clear that § 29-831 contains no futility exception. See Albers, 31 P.3d at 829 (noting that 

the language of the statute is “clear and admits of no exception”). In addition, Lakritz’s 

demand to Lloyd to return the money is insufficient, as she does not allege that she made 

demand on the manager or managers of L&L with authority to cause L&L to sue on its 

own behalf. See A.R.S. § 29-831(2). Consequently, Lakritz failed to comply with § 29-

831, and her derivative claims are barred.4

 

4

 Because all of Lakritz’s derivative claims are barred, the Court need not address 

Lloyd’s separate argument that a member of an LLC owes no fiduciary duties to the LLC or other members absent an operating agreement imposing such duties. 

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 Accordingly, counts one, two, and four of Lakritz’s counter-complaint are 

dismissed. Lakritz may amend her counter-complaint to cure any deficiencies identified 

herein in accordance with LR Civ. 15.1(a). 

IT IS ORDERED: 

1. Lakritz’s motion to transfer venue, (Doc. 24), is DENIED WITHOUT 

PREJUDICE. 

2. Lakritz’s motion to dismiss, (Doc. 22), is GRANTED, and Lloyd’s 

claims are DISMISSED. 

3. Lloyd’s motion to dismiss, (Doc. 31), is GRANTED, and counts one, 

two, and four of Lakritz’s counter-complaint are DISMISSED. 

4. Within seven days of the date of this Order, both parties are permitted to 

amend their respective complaints to cure the deficiencies identified 

herein. The amended filings must comply with LR Civ. 15.1(a). 

 Dated this 17th day of May, 2016. 

Douglas L. Rayes 

United States District Judge 

 

Case 2:15-cv-02478-DLR Document 56 Filed 05/17/16 Page 14 of 14