Opinion ID: 4517629
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Jurisdiction and Applicable Law

Text: This court has appellate jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332. In a diversity case, this court must apply state substantive law. As Louisiana’s choice-of-law rules dictate and as the parties agree, Louisiana law applies to the interpretation of the insurance policies here, which were issued in Louisiana. Am. Int’l Specialty Lines Ins. Co. v. Canal Indem. Co., 352 F.3d 254, 260 (5th Cir. 2003) (“Louisiana choice of law rules dictate . . . that in [an] action involving the interpretation of insurance policies issued in Louisiana, Louisiana substantive law governs.”). When determining Louisiana law, this court first looks to “the final decisions of the Louisiana Supreme Court” and, absent guidance, we make an Erie guess to determine “how [the Louisiana Supreme Court] would resolve the issue if presented with the same case.” In re Katrina Canal Breaches Litig., 495 F.3d 191, 206 (5th Cir. 2007). “In making an Erie guess, we must employ Louisiana’s civilian methodology, whereby we first examine 6 Case: 19-30190 Document: 00515350430 Page: 7 Date Filed: 03/18/2020 No. 19-30190 primary sources of law: the constitution, codes, and statutes.” Id. In Louisiana’s civilian system, jurisprudence and existing caselaw are considered “a secondary law source.” Id. (quoting Prytania Park Hotel, Ltd. v. Gen. Star Indem. Co., 179 F.3d 169, 169 (5th Cir. 1999)). Thus, this court is “not strictly bound” by decisions of Louisiana’s intermediate courts. Id.