Document: 128 S. Ct. 978 (2008) Arnold M. PRESTON, Petitioner, v. Alex E. FERRER. No. 06-1463. Supreme Court of United States. Argued January 14, 2008. Decided February 20, *981 Joseph D. Schleimer, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner. G. Eric Brunstad, Jr., Hartford, Connecticut, respondent. Robert Dudnik, Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp LLP, Los Angeles, Counsel Record, Rheba Rutkowski, Brian R. Hole, Collin O'Connor Udell Bingham McCutchen Respondents. Kenneth Freundlich, Schleimer Petitioner. Justice GINSBURG delivered the opinion Court. As this recognized in Southland Corp. Keating, 465 U.S. 1, 104 852, 79 L. Ed. 2d 1 (1984), Federal Arbitration Act (FAA or Act), 9 U.S.C. § et seq. (2000 ed. and Supp. V), establishes a national policy favoring arbitration when parties contract that mode dispute resolution. The Act, which rests on Congress' authority under Commerce Clause, supplies not simply procedural framework applicable federal courts; it also calls application, state as well courts, substantive law regarding arbitration. U.S., at 16, 852. More recently, Buckeye Check Cashing, Inc. Cardegna, 546 440, 126 1204, 163 1038 (2006), clarified that, agree to arbitrate all disputes arising their contract, questions concerning validity entire are be resolved by arbitrator first instance, court. instant petition presents following question: Does FAA override only statutes refer certain state-law controversies initially judicial forum, but an administrative agency? We hold today laws lodging primary jurisdiction another whether administrative, superseded FAA. I This case concerns between respondent Ferrer, former Florida trial court judge who currently appears "Judge Alex" Fox television network *982 program, petitioner Preston, California attorney renders services persons entertainment industry. Seeking fees allegedly due Preston invoked parties' agreement "any dispute... relating terms [the contract] breach, validity, legality thereof... accordance with rules [of American Association]." App. 18. Preston's demand arbitration, made June 2005, was countered month later Ferrer's Labor Commissioner charging invalid unenforceable Talent Agencies (TAA), Cal. Lab.Code Ann. 1700 (West 2003 Supp.2008). Ferrer asserted acted talent agent without license required TAA, unlicensed status rendered void.[1] Commissioner's hearing officer, November determined had stated "colorable basis exercise jurisdiction." 33. officer denied motion stay however, ground lacked order such relief. then filed suit Angeles Superior Court, seeking declaration controversy "arising from [c]ontract, including particular issue is subject arbitration." Id., 29. interim relief, sought injunction restraining proceeding before arbitrator. responded moving compel In December enjoined "unless until determines ... she over Ferrer." BC342454 (Dec. 7, 2005), C Pet. Cert. 18a, 26a-27a. During pendency appeal Court's decision, reaffirmed, Buckeye, challenges providing ordinarily "should considered arbitrator, court." 446, 1204. 2-to-1 decision issued 2006, Appeal affirmed judgment. appeals held relevant provision 1700.44(a) 2003), vests "exclusive original jurisdiction" Commissioner. 145 4th 447, 51 Rptr. 3d 628, 634. "inapposite," said, because "did involve agency exclusive disputed issue." Cal.App.4th, Cal.Rptr.3d, dissenting judge, contrast, viewed controlling; reasoned called immediate recognition enforcement afforded no distinguishing prior resort 450-451, 636-637 (Vogel, J., dissenting). review. S149190 (Feb. 2007), 2007 LEXIS 1539, A 1a. granted certiorari determine overrides vesting initial adjudicatory *983 agency. 551 ___, 31, 168 807 (2007). II An easily question underlies controversy. claims operated violation TAA. Accordingly, he urges, parties, purportedly "personal management," void entitled compensation any rendered. other hand, maintains personal manager, agent, hence his governed TAA both lawful fully binding parties. Because provides legality" "shall submitted arbitration," 18, urges must litigate "his defense arbitral forum," Reply Brief 31. insists, manager" "talent agent" inquiry falls, law, within Commissioner, does displace jurisdiction. Respondent 30, 40-44. dispositive issue, then, contrary suggestion, preempts wholesale. See id., 44-48. plainly has destructive aim effect. Instead, decides manager agent. III Section 2 states: "A written evidencing transaction involving commerce settle thereafter out shall valid, irrevocable, enforceable, save upon grounds exist equity revocation contract." 2. "declare[s] arbitration" manner. Corp., 10, That policy, we Southland, "appli[es] courts" "foreclose[s] legislative attempts undercut enforceability agreements." FAA's displacement conflicting "now well-established," Allied-Bruce Terminix Cos. Dobson, 513 265, 272, 115 834, 130 753 (1995), been repeatedly see, e.g., 445-446, 1204; Doctor's Associates, Casarotto, 517 681, 684-685, 116 1652, 134 902 (1996); Perry Thomas, 482 483, 489, 107 2520, 96 426 (1987).[2] recurring should decide "grounds equity" invalidate agreement. Prima Paint Flood Conklin Mfg. Co., 388 395, 403-404, 87 1801, 18 1270 *984 (1967), attacks distinct aimed clause, arbitrator's ken. litigation originated court, same rule, applies 447-448, plaintiffs alleged contracts they signed, contained clauses, were illegal ab initio. 443, Relying plaintiffs' challenge province decide. largely, if entirely, resolves us. clearly "evidenc[ed] commerce," 2, never falls purview Moreover, invalidation whole. proceedings below, discrete clause. 449, 635 dissenting).[3] thus urged courts contract's clause requires instance. IV distinguish arguing merely exhaustion remedies proceed reject argument. regulates agents agreements. "Talent agency" defined, exceptions here, "a person corporation engages occupation procuring, offering, promising, attempting procure employment engagements artist artists." 1700.4(a) 2003). definition "does cover artists often career management (i.e., advice, direction, coordination, oversight respect artist's financial affairs)." Styne Stevens, 26 42, 51, 109 P.3d 343, 349 (2001) (emphasis deleted). 1700.5. "In furtherance [TAA's] protective aims, person's provide void." P.3d, 349.[4] *985 cases chapter, involved matters hear same, 10 days after determination, superior where heard de novo." Absent notice ten days, determination becomes final REO Broadcasting Consultants Martin, 69 495, 81 639, 642-643 (1999).[5] permits lieu "in [an artist]" "provides reasonable time place hearings" gives "the right attend hearings." 1700.45. prescription demonstrates there inherent conflict resolution mechanism. But 1700.45 utility Preston. He consistently maintained term defined 1700.4(a), is, instead, TAA's regulatory regime. 444, 631. To invoke 1700.45, would have concede point fatal claim compensationi.e., albeit oneand drafted compliance statute inapplicable. Procedural prescriptions regime two basic respects: First, 1700.44(a), grants agreed arbitrate, see second, imposes prerequisites generally, Inc., 687, 1652. B contends nevertheless compatible postpones exercised her 40. party loses may file novo review 1700.44(a). At point, asserts, either could move Cal.Civ.Proc.Code 1281.2 thereby obtain 13. position took courts. complaint, declare stopping until, ever, he/she dispute." 29 added). told Court: "[I]f [c]ontract void, ruling Court." Appellant's *986 B188997 (Cal.App.), p. 157, n. Nor current argument arbitrationwithstand examination. elsewhere.[6] Arbitration, ever occurred likely long delayed, contravention intent "to arbitrable into quickly possible." Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital Mercury Constr. 460 22, 103 927, 74 765 (1983). If prevailed moreover, doubt argue findings fact conclusions full fair preclude making rulings. prime objective achieve "streamlined expeditious results." Mitsubishi Motors Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, 473 614, 633, 105 3346, 444 (1985). Cos., 278; frustrated even Requiring reference would, least, hinder speedy asks us overlook apparent rather than judicial. 40-48. Allowing directly contends, undermine ability informed potentially activity, 43, deprive protected expertise, 41-43. Gilmer Interstate/Johnson Lane 500 111 1647, 114 (1991), rejected similar argument, namely, age discrimination role Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforcing law. "mere involvement statute," held, limit private obligation comply 28-29, 1647. points our holding EEOC Waffle House, 534 279, 293-294, 122 754, 151 755 (2002), signed employee complainant bar filing its own name. further emphasizes observation individuals "still free charge EEOC." 28, Consistent these decisions, argues, *987 leaves undisturbed independent enforce And so may.[7] functions advocate advancing cause tribunal authorized find facts apply law; serves impartial arbiter. just what FAA-governed reserves House aside quotes, addressed agency, adjudicator prosecutor, pursuing action name reviewing initiate proceedings. Finally, bears repeating precisely forum will heard. supra, 983. "By agreeing statutory claim, forgo rights statute; submits forum." 3346. So relinquishes accord him. cannot escape those forum. sum, disapprove distinction drawn adopted When supersedes administrative. V attempt relies Volt Information Sciences, Board Trustees Leland Stanford Junior Univ., 489 468, 1248, 488 (1989). dealing "[a] [an] pending [involving] third [not bound agreement], series related transactions." Cal.Civ.Proc. Code 1281.2(c) 2007). avoid "possibility rulings common fact," authority, inter alia, "pending outcome action." Ibid. Sciences University construction containing arose demanded sued companies project. Those agreement; indemnification them event against Stanford. Stanford's request, stayed order. incorporated agreement, held. They did stipulating contractotherwise silent *988 priority suits drawing arbitrationwould Univ. 240 558, 561 (1987) (officially depublished). Appeal's interpretation contains choice-of-law states "agreement California." 17. separate saving provides: "If present future law," prevails extent necessary bring requirements said law." contractual terms, according call application 1700.44(a)'s grant reliance misplaced reasons. accommodate strangers Nothing presented prospect inconsistent thought proper, circumstances, recognize gap filler. Here, speaks matter controversy; to... arbitrated Association (AAA) rules. Both relates contract; risk yield issues; fill. Second, guided more recent Mastrobuono Shearson Lehman Hutton, 514 52, 1212, 131 76 (1995). Although provided "arbitration Construction Industry Rules Association," 470, 1248 (internal quotation marks omitted), argued incorporation trumped Appellant, Brief, O.T.1987, 87-1318. Therefore, neither nor import privately promulgated Mastrobuono, reached open while interpreting New York National Securities Dealers (NASD). 58-59, 1212.[8] "best *989 way harmonize" read encompass principles apply, include [New York's] special limiting arbitrators." 63-64, 1212. noted, AAA One "[t]he power existence forms part." AAA, Commercial ¶ R-7(b) (2007), online http://www.adr.org/sp.asp?id= 22440 (as visited Feb. 15, 2008, Clerk file). rules, Rule 7(b), weighs inferring understanding shared heard, Following guide provides, adoption selection latter governing obligations State's "special * For reasons stated, judgment reversed, remanded opinion. It ordered. JUSTICE THOMAS, dissenting. many previous occasions, believe (FAA), 285-297, (1995) (THOMAS, dissenting); (2006) (same); Green Tree Financial Bazzle, 539 460, 123 2402, 156 414 (2003) 689, (1996) (same). Thus, state-court proceedings, delays completed. affirm Appeals. NOTES [1] uses describe corporations individual agents. use interchangeably. [2] overrule arguments Compare 55-59, Attorney General Alabama al. Amici Curiae O.T. 1993, 93-1001, pp. 11-19. Adhering precedent, do take up invitation Southland. [3] "is [TAA]." 23. His complaint enjoin asserted: "[T]he reason [Preston's] [Ferrer] [TAA]," [c]ontract's vest 27. brief stated: "Ferrer contend procured fraud. unlawfully [c]ontract." B188997, [4] Courts "may contract" regulated "inseparable [unregulated] managerial services." Marathon Entertainment, Blasi, 174 741, 744 (2008). severable, "an isolated instance" conduct automatically recovery lawfully license." [5] aggrieved post bond least $1,000 twice amount approved [6] From lies Appeal. Civ. Proc. 904.1(a) 2007); 8.100(a) (Appellate Rules) rev. ed.). Thereafter, losing seek 8.500(a)(1) Rules), perhaps followed writ 28 1257. identified single interruption chain allow decision. Tr. Oral Arg. 35. [7] Enforcement investigate rectify violations 47 ("[T]he investigatory receive information source." (citation omitted)). 13-14. [8] award punitive damages. 53-54, prohibited arbitrators, awarding 55, NASD "damages relief," which, manual, included 61, 1212 omitted). Volt, respondents York's ban awards Opposing petitioners successfully controlled.

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