Opinion ID: 1119397
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The place where the relationship, if any, between the parties is centered

Text: Because there is no relationship between Allen Motenko and the Desert Inn, neither has a superior interest and this factor becomes a non-factor. Again, however, because of the majority's wooden formula, this factor actually weighs against Allen Motenko. Under a qualitative analysis embraced by the majority of courts that have felt unencumbered by the legally unsound lex loci delicti doctrine, the local law of Massachusetts clearly has the most significant relationship to the Motenko's claim for loss of parental consortium. Unfortunately, the majority has given lip service to abandoning the old vested rights doctrine, but in reality has embraced it anew under the strictures of the mathematical formula the majority has crafted from the rule of reason and fairness adopted by the Restatement. I am strongly of the opinion that this court should adopt the Restatement (Second) Conflicts of Laws most significant relationship approach as the most equitable method for resolving choice-of-law problems in tort cases. In my view, the majority has created a wooden hybrid rule that essentially retains the evils of the vested rights doctrine, and provides precious little promise for the resolution of conflicts issues in accordance with judicial sensitivity to considerations of justice and fairness. It is true that the majority's rule will provide ease of application, but I suggest that courts of law should have no part in exalting easily applied rules over less facile methods that are calculated to secure a just and fair result in the resolution of disputes. Ease of application alone should never be the basis for adopting rules to be used in determining the rights of litigants. For the reasons discussed above, I would reverse the order entered by the district court and allow the Motenkos to pursue Allen's claim for loss of parental consortium based upon the local law of Massachusetts. I therefore respectfully dissent.