Opinion ID: 6944938
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Connecticut direct action is a concurrent proceeding

Text: National Union contends that the direct action against it by Stephanie Freeman’s estate is not a concurrent proceeding to the instant federal action. We disagree. Federal and state proceedings are “concurrent” or “parallel” for purposes of abstention when the two proceedings are essentially the same; that is, there is an identity of parties, and the issues and relief sought are the same. See Sheerbonnet, Ltd. v. American Express Bank Ltd., 17 F.3d 46, 49-50 (2d Cir.1994); see also Telesco v. Telesco Fuel and Masons’ Materials, Inc., 765 F.2d 356, 362 (2d Cir.1985) (proceedings are parallel where essentially the same claims and same relief is sought in both actions); Arkwright-Boston Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co. v. City of New York, 762 F.2d 205, 211 (2d Cir.1985) (parties in state and federal actions must be substantially the same). The district court correctly noted that in the direct action against National Union, the Connecticut court will have to determine whether the pilot was covered or excluded under the policy in order to resolve whether Stephanie Freeman’s estate is entitled to recover the $4.7 million judgment it obtained against the pilot’s estate. Because (1) the primary claim for declaratory relief raised by National Union in the instant action will be raised and decided in the state action, and (2) National Union and the estate of Stephanie Freeman are parties in both suits, the Connecticut direct action is a “concurrent” proceeding to the instant action.