Document: Cite as: 565 U. S. ____ (2011) 1 Per Curiam SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES KPMG LLP v. ROBERT COCCHI ET AL. ON PETITION FOR WRIT CERTIORARI TO DISTRICT APPEAL FLORIDA, FOURTH No. 10–1521. Decided November 7, 2011 PER CURIAM. Agreements to arbitrate that fall within the scope and coverage of Federal Arbitration Act (Act), 9 U.S. C. §1 et seq., must be enforced in state federal courts. State courts, then, “have a prominent role play as enforcers agreements arbitrate.” Vaden Discover Bank, 556 49, 59 (2009). The has been interpreted require if dispute presents multiple claims, some arbitrable not, former sent arbitration even this will lead piecemeal litigation. See Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. Byrd, 470 213, 217 (1985). From it fol- lows courts examine with care complaints seeking invoke their jurisdiction order separate from nonarbitrable claims. A court may not issue blanket refusal compel merely on grounds claims could resolved by without arbitration. ibid. In case Fourth District Court Appeal Florida upheld trial court’s respondents’ after determining two four complaint were nonarbitrable. Though matter is altogether free doubt, fair reading opinion indicates likelihood failed determine whether other arbitrable. For reason, judgment vacated, remanded for further proceedings. 2 * Respondents are 19 individuals entities who bought limited partnership interests one three part- nerships, all known Rye Funds. Funds managed Tremont Group Holding, Inc., Partners, both which audited KPMG. invested financier Bernard Madoff allegedly lost millions dollars result scheme defraud. sued Funds, defendants, Tremont’s auditing firm, Only against at case. Against KPMG, respondents alleged causes action: negligent misrepresentation; violation De- ceptive Unfair Trade Practices (FDUTPA), Fla. Stat. 501.201 seq. (2010); professional malpractice; aiding abetting breach fiduciary duty. Respond- ents’ basic theory was use proper standards respect financial state- ments partnerships. These improper audits, re- spondents contend, led “substantial misrepresentations” about health funds resulted investment losses. 51 So. 3d 1165, 1168 (Fla. App. 2010). moved based audit services agreement existed between Trem- ont defendants. That provided “[a]ny or claim arising out relating . ser- vices [by KPMG] (including any involving person entity whose benefit question provided) shall solved” either mediation Pet. Cert. 63a. Circuit Fifteenth Judicial Palm Beach County denied motion. affirmed, noting “[n]one plaintiffs expressly assented fashion [the agreement] provision.” 3 3d, 1168. Thus, found, clause only derivative they arose performed defendants pursuant agreement. Applying Delaware law, parties agreed applicable, concluded misrepresentation FDUTPA direct rather than de- rivative. reveals nothing suggest came same conclusion malpractice duty Indeed, said those all. Finding “the arbitral upon relied would apply made individual plaintiffs,” id., 1167, affirmed denial motion arbitrate. have since amended add fifth claim. Citing Appeal’s decision, again KPMG’s reflects an “emphatic fed- eral policy favor resolution.” Mitsubishi Motors Corp. Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, 473 614, 631 (1985); Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospi- tal Mercury Constr. Corp., 460 1, 24–25 (1983) (noting “questions arbitrability [must]. ad- dressed healthy regard favor- ing arbitration”). This policy, contained Act, “requires enforce bargain arbitrate,” Witter, supra, 217, “cannot possi- bly disregard law permitting arbitra- tion nonparties written agreement,” Arthur Andersen Carlisle, 624, 630, n. 5 (2009) (emphasis deleted). Both agree arbi- trable turns deemed 4 under law. here. What apparent solely finding them, FDUTPA, noted “provides controversies existing contract ‘shall valid, irrevocable, enforceable, save such exist equity revocation contract.’ ” U.S., 218 (quoting §2). found its terms, leaves no place exercise discre- district court, but instead mandates proceed issues signed.” original). when contains nonarbi- requires “compel pendent files compel, where possibly inefficient maintenance proceed- ings different forums.” Id., 217. To implement holding, assess arbitrated. failure do so subject immediate review. Southland Keating, 465 6–7 (1984). listed direct, then refused whole because “would claims.” 1167. By addressing complaint, give effect plain mean- holding Witter. petition certiorari granted. remanded. On remand, should maining It ordered.

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