Opinion ID: 405001
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Feldman's State law claims.

Text: 48 The district court stated that the parties cited no authority nor was it itself aware of any that imposed fiduciary duties on a shareholder such as Simkins to prospective investors. Feldman does not dispute the court's finding that Feldman was merely a prospective investor. Instead, he contends that the district court erred in interpreting California law to provide standing only to minority shareholders to bring such a claim. 49 As a general rule, however, interpretations of state law by a district judge as the law of the state in which he sits, are entitled to deference. The district court's determination will be accepted on review unless it is shown to be clearly wrong. Clark v. Musick, 623 F.2d 89, 91 (9th Cir. 1980). Feldman cites no authority which disputes the district court's interpretation of California law. Because Feldman has failed to show the district court's interpretation of state law to be clearly wrong, the dismissal of Feldman's state law claim is affirmed. 50 Feldman alternatively contends that even if he was not a Fibreboard shareholder simultaneously with Simkins, other class members who purchased prior to January 31 were. Even so, Feldman cannot pursue such claims under the laws of class representation. A plaintiff without a claim cannot represent a class of persons with possible claims. Bailey v. Patterson, 369 U.S. 31, 32-33, 82 S.Ct. 549, 550-51, 7 L.Ed.2d 512 (1962); Vun Cannon v. Breed, 565 F.2d 1096, 1098-99 (9th Cir. 1977). 51