Case Name: Glenn ARMENTOR, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, et al., Defendant-Relator
Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1981-05-27
Citations: 399 So. 2d 811
Docket Number: No. 8368
Parties: Glenn ARMENTOR, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, et al., Defendant-Relator.
Judges: Before GUIDRY, DOUCET and LA-BORDE, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 399
Pages: 811–813

Head Matter:
Glenn ARMENTOR, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, et al., Defendant-Relator.
No. 8368.
Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Third Circuit.
May 27, 1981.
Liskow & Lewis, Patrick W. Gray, Lafayette, La., for defendant-relator.
Charles Brandt, Lafayette, for plaintiff-respondent.
Herman & Herman, Fred L. Herman, New Orleans, for defendant-respondent.
Before GUIDRY, DOUCET and LA-BORDE, JJ.

Opinion:
LABORDE, Judge.
On April 8, 1981, we granted a writ of certiorari in this case on the application of General Motors Corporation (GMC) to review the correctness of a ruling of the district court overruling GMC's exception of improper venue.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
This action began as a redhibition suit arising out of the sale of an allegedly defective automobile manufactured by GMC. The plaintiff, Glenn Armentor, filed suit in Lafayette Parish seeking recision of the sale, damages and attorney's fees. GMC is a foreign corporation licensed to do business in Louisiana with its principal business establishment in this state, as designated in its application to do business in this state, in Ouachita Parish. The case was removed by GMC to the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on the basis of diversity of citizenship.
While the suit was pending in federal court, GMC filed an answer. Thereafter, Armentor, with leave of court, amended his petition to join as a party defendant, Benson and Gold Chevrolet, Inc. (Benson and Gold) the automobile dealership which sold the automobile to him. Benson and Gold is a Louisiana corporation with its registered office in Orleans Parish. The federal court then remanded the case to the state court because the joinder of Benson and Gold destroyed diversity. Thereafter, GMC and Benson and Gold filed exceptions of venue. Armentor then amended his petition to state a cause of action in tort, which, if successfully plead, would render venue proper in Lafayette Parish. GMC again excepted to venue, which exception was denied by the trial court holding that GMC waived its right to object to venue by filing an answer in federal court while the case was pending there.
SUPERVISORY RELIEF
The exercise of supervisory jurisdiction by appellate courts is within their plenary power. La.Const.1974, Art. 5, § 10. Appellate courts will not exercise such jurisdiction unless an error in the trial court's ruling will cause petitioner irreparable harm or an ordinary appeal will not afford an adequate remedy. Supervisory Powers of the Louisiana Courts of Appeal, Albert Tate, Jr., 38 Tul.L.Rev. 429.