Opinion ID: 689957
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Is the state forum adequate to protect the federal plaintiff's rights?

Text: 30 Because the Saline County action is capable of deciding issues involving only one policy, it is inadequate as a forum for the resolution of issues common to all the policies. Resolution of the common issues would require each policy to be litigated individually, or at least would require a second action analogous to the action filed by Federated. Aside from the effect that AECI's strategy has on piecemeal litigation, the state court litigation over an individual piece is plainly inadequate to protect Federated's rights which involve the whole pie. Thus, the inadequacy of the state forum weighs in favor of allowing the federal action to proceed. 31 Finally, we note an additional aspect of this analysis not specifically included as a factor: whether the federal or state suit is filed as for a vexatious, reactive or tactical reason. See Moses H. Cone, 460 U.S. at 17, 103 S.Ct. at 937; Nakash v. Marciano, 882 F.2d 1411, 1416-17 (9th Cir.1989); 17A Wright, Miller & Cooper, Federal Practice & Procedure Sec. 4247 nn. 72.1 & 72.2 (Supp.1994). We need not decide whether Federated's choice of a federal forum is motivated by forum-shopping (we suspect that it was), for it is sufficiently clear that AECI's attempts to remain in state court were motivated by a desire to avoid NEPACCO. Moreover, it appears that much of the progress that has been made in the state actions has been due to the reactive tactics of AECI. 7 In light of AECI's hands which were soiled during its forum-shopping spree, we are disinclined to view its request for abstention as anything more than a continuation of its forum selection strategy. 32 From our analysis of these factors we glean the following: Factors 1 and 2 are irrelevant and do not weigh into the calculation. Factors 4 and 5, although relevant, do not have any weight either for or against abstention. Factors 3 and 6 weigh against abstention. In light of our analysis of the factors, we think it safe to say that this case hardly presents the clearest of justifications [that alone] will warrant abstention. Colorado River, 424 U.S. at 819, 96 S.Ct. at 1247. Accordingly, we are convinced that the district court abused its discretion when it concluded to the contrary.