Source: http://pa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180320_0000385.WPA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 05:46:16+00:00

Document:
On February 21, 2018, Defendant, CulinArt, Inc., removed this case from the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, where it was originally filed by Plaintiff Rikea Farrow, pro se, on January 30, 2018. Doc. No. 1. CulinArt then quickly moved to dismiss the Complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) for failure to state claims of discrimination and retaliation pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq, arguing that Plaintiff failed to exhaust her administrative remedies, and also moved to dismiss Plaintiff's breach of contract claim, arguing that Plaintiff failed to identify the existence of a contract between Plaintiff and Defendant. Doc. No. 5 and Doc. No. 6. In response, Plaintiff submitted a Motion to Amend her Complaint. Doc. No. 7.
The Court has carefully reviewed Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and brief in support, doc. no. 5 and doc. no. 6, and Plaintiff's original Complaint, doc. no. 1-2, and her proposed Amended Complaint, doc. no. 7. The Court has also reviewed Defendant's Brief in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Amend, doc. no. 9. For the following reasons, the Court will deny all pending motions as moot and remand this case to state court.
When reviewing Plaintiffs filings, the Court has liberally construed them to determine the claims set forth therein because pro se pleadings, “however inartfully pleaded, must be held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.” Erikson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (internal quotation omitted); Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). In addition, the court should “‘apply the applicable law, irrespective of whether a pro se litigant has mentioned it by name.'” Higgins v. Beyer, 293 F.3d 683, 688 (3d Cir. 2002) (quoting Holley v. Dep't of Veterans Affairs, 165 F.3d 244, 247-48 (3d Cir. 1999)).
Rule 12(h)(3) commands “[i]f the court determines at any time that it lacks subject-matter jurisdiction, the court must dismiss the action.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(h)(3). The party asserting jurisdiction, in this case the Defendant, bears the burden of showing at all stages of the litigation that the case is properly before the federal court. Samuel-Bassett v. KIA Motors America, Inc., 357 F.3d 392, 396 (3d Cir. 2004). The obligation of a federal court to examine its jurisdiction over an action is appropriate in cases that have been removed from state court, even if the plaintiff has not challenged the removal. U.S. Express Lines Ltd. v. Higgins, 281 F.3d 383, 389 (3d Cir. 2002).
• that CulinArt is a “joint employer” based upon the definition set forth in cases construing that term under Title VII.

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