Opinion ID: 76843
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Green Tree's Ability to Invoke Arbitration Clause

Text: 9 Green Tree Servicing argues that it may compel arbitration under the Note because it is the same entity as CFSC, the named lender in the Note. Further, Green Tree Servicing and Green Tree Investment contend that, regardless of their signatory status, the arbitration clause is broad enough to require the Blincos to arbitrate their RESPA claims against non-signatories. The Blincos dispute Green Tree Servicing's claim that it is a successor to the original lender under the Note. The Blincos further argue that the asset transfer which occurred as part of Conseco's reorganization resulted in the assignment of the Mortgage and Note to a separate entity and the extinguishment of any Green Tree entity's right to invoke the Note's arbitration clause. 10 The Court concludes that the language of the arbitration clause at issue is broad enough to permit both Green Tree entities to invoke it, regardless of their signatory status. Because, as discussed above, the Blincos' RESPA claims derive from a relationship that results from the Note ( i.e., loan servicing), the arbitration clause easily encompasses both Green Tree Servicing and Green Tree Investment as alleged servicers of the Note. The scope of the Note's arbitration clause is sufficiently broad to allow non-signatories to invoke the clause where, as here, they face claims derived from the Note. See MS Dealer Serv. Corp. v. Franklin, 177 F.3d 942, 947-48 (11th Cir.1999) (where signatory's claims against non-signatory depend on a contract containing an arbitration clause, signatory must arbitrate with non-signatory). 11