Summary
finding that the “operative facts” in a false-advertising class action occurred in defendant's preferred forum because defendant was headquartered and made decisions regarding product marketing in that forum
Summary of this case from Burns v. Gerber Prods. Co.Opinion
CASE NO. 10cv1974 BEN (CAB).
April 13, 2011
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO TRANSFER VENUE TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO [Dkt. No. 11]
Defendant The Procter Gamble Company moves the Court to transfer venue to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404. ("Motion" [Dkt. No. 11].) Plaintiff Dino Rikos opposes. [Dkt. No. 14.] For the reasons set forth below, the Court hereby GRANTS Defendant's Motion and transfers the case to the Southern District of Ohio.
BACKGROUND
This action arises out of alleged misrepresentations made by Defendant in its marketing and sale of a product known as "Align." Defendant makes the product, and its headquarters and principal place of business are located in Cincinnati, Ohio, i.e., within the jurisdiction of the Southern District of Ohio. Plaintiff purchased the product in San Diego, California, but resides in Illinois. Plaintiff asserts his claims on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated.
On September 21, 2010, Plaintiff initiated this action against Defendant, alleging three causes of action: (1) violation of California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act; (2) violation of the California Business Professions Code; and (3) a breach of express warranty. Plaintiff's claims are based on state law; however, federal courts have original jurisdiction based on the Class Action Fairness Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d).
On November 22, 2010, Defendant filed the instant Motion. Defendant argues that this action should be transferred to the Southern District of Ohio because that is where Defendant's headquarters and relevant witnesses and documents are located. Plaintiff filed an opposition, and Defendant filed a reply.
The Court finds the Motion suitable for disposition without oral argument pursuant to Civil Local Rule 7.1.d.1.
DISCUSSION
Defendant asks the Court to transfer this action to the Southern District of Ohio pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). "For the convenience of the parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a district court may transfer any civil action to any other district or division where it might have been brought." 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). The purpose of § 1404(a) is to "prevent the waste of time, energy and money and to protect litigants, witnesses and the public against unnecessary inconvenience and expense." Van Dusen v. Barrack, 376 U.S. 612, 616 (1964) (internal citations and quotation omitted).
In this case, it is undisputed that the action could have been brought in the Southern District of Ohio, based on Defendant's residency. Therefore, the issue becomes whether the "convenience of the parties and witnesses" and the "interest of justice" compel transferring venue.
When analyzing a motion to transfer venue under § 1404(a), "the court may consider: (1) the location where the relevant agreements were negotiated and executed, (2) the state that is most familiar with the governing law, (3) the plaintiff's choice of forum, (4) the respective parties' contacts with the forum, (5) the contacts relating to the plaintiff's cause of action in the chosen forum, (6) the differences in the costs of litigation in the two forums, (7) the availability of compulsory process to compel attendance of unwilling non-party witnesses, and (8) the ease of access to sources of proof." Jones v. GNC Franchising, Inc., 211 F.3d 495, 498-499 (9th Cir. 2000).
"As a general matter, a plaintiff's choice of forum should be afforded deference." Patent Mgmt. Found., LLC v. Analog Devices, Inc., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7389, *7 (N.D. Cal. 2011) (citing Decker Coal Co. v. Commonwealth Edison Co., 805 F.2d 834, 843 (9th Cir. 1986)). However Plaintiff's choice of venue is only entitled to minimal consideration when Plaintiff does not reside in the district, the operative facts happened outside the forum, or plaintiff is seeking to bring a class action. Pfeifer v. Himax Techs., Inc., 530 F. Supp. 2d 1121, 1124 (C.D. Cal. 2008) (citing Lou v. Belzberg, 834 F.2d 730, 739 (9th Cir. 1987)).
Here, Plaintiff is a resident of Illinois and only occasionally travels to the Southern District of California to visit family. In addition, this is a proposed class action, and the operative facts likely occurred in the Southern District of Ohio. Defendant is headquartered in Ohio and contends that decisions regarding product marketing are made in that state. These facts weigh in favor of transfer.
Defendant also argues that this action should be transferred to the Southern District of Ohio because the majority of witnesses in this case are its employees and they reside in Ohio. Plaintiff counters that Defendant's employees are not considered non-party witnesses and their location is not a major factor to be considered. "The court accords less weight to the inconvenience of party witnesses, however, as they can be compelled to testify regardless of the forum in which the lawsuit is ultimately litigated." Allstar Mktg. Group, LLC v. Your Store Online, LLC, 666 F. Supp. 2d 1109, 1132 (C.D. Cal. 2009). While the convenience of party witnesses does not get as much weight as that of non-party witnesses, it is still a factor this Court may consider. The cost of litigation is another factor this Court may consider. Bringing employee witnesses to the Southern District of California adds a significant expense for Defendant and is another factor favoring transfer. Additionally, neither party has identified any witnesses residing in this district. Therefore, transfer will not have a negative impact on the parties ability to compel any witnesses.
Plaintiff argues that transfer is improper because his claims arise out of California law and this Court is more familiar with the governing statutes. To support his position, Plaintiff cites Young v. Coastal Island Charters, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32177, *8 (E.D. Cal. 2005). While the court in Young did consider familiarity with the governing law, it also relied heavily on the fact that the Plaintiff was a resident of his chosen forum. Id. This Court's greater familiarity with California law is a factor that weighs against transfer, but it is not enough to overcome the other considerations in support of transfer.
CONCLUSION
In light of the above, Defendant's Motion to Transfer Venue is GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to transfer venue of this case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
IT IS SO ORDERED.