Ramos v. Eddy ( 2021 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ---------------------------------------------------------------------- X : FRANK RAMOS, : : Plaintiff, : -v- : 21-CV-1649 (JMF) : KYLE W. EDDY, et al., : ORDER : : Defendants. : : ---------------------------------------------------------------------- X JESSE M. FURMAN, United States District Judge: On February 25, 2021, this action was removed from the Supreme Court of New York, Bronx County, by Defendants Kyle Wayne Eddy and VR Kendall Trucking LLC (“VR Kendall”). See ECF No. 1 (“Notice of Removal”), at 1. Defendants assert that jurisdiction in this Court is proper by reason of diversity of citizenship, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332. See id. ¶¶ 7-8. The Notice of Removal alleges that both Defendants Eddy and VR Kendall are citizens of Pennsylvania, id. ¶ 6, and that Plaintiff is a citizen of New York, id. ¶ 5. It is well established that a limited liability company (“LLC”) is deemed to be a citizen of each state of which its members are citizens. See, e.g., Handelsman v. Bedford Vill. Assocs. L.P., 213 F.3d 48, 51-52 (2d Cir. 2000). Thus, a notice of removal premised upon diversity of citizenship must allege the citizenship of natural persons who are members of an LLC and the place of incorporation and principal place of business of any corporate entities that are members of the LLC. See id.; see also, e.g., In re Bank of Am. Corp. Sec., Derivatives, & ERISA Litig., 757 F. Supp. 2d 260, 334 n.17 (S.D.N.Y. 2010); Lewis v. Allied Bronze LLC, No. 07-CV-1621 (BMC), 2007 WL 1299251, at *1-2 (E.D.N.Y. May 2, 2007) (remanding removed action for lack of diversity jurisdiction). In the present case, the Notice of Removal fails to do so. The Complaint alleges that VR Kendall is a limited liability partnership. ECF No. 1-1 The Answer denies this allegation entirely. ECF No. 1-2 § 1. It seems apparent from its name that VR Kendall is an LLC, but in any event, it is equally well established that for purposes of diversity jurisdiction, a limited partnership (“LP”) is deemed to be a citizen of each state of which its general and limited partners are citizens. See, e.g., Handelsman., 213 F.3d at 52 (collecting cases). Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before March 12, 2021, Defendants shall amend their Notice of Removal to allege the citizenship of each constituent person or entity comprising the Defendant LLC (or LP) (including the state of incorporation and principal place of business of any corporate entity member (or partner)). If, by that date, the Defendants are unable to amend their Notice of Removal to truthfully allege complete diversity of citizenship, then the action will be remanded to the Supreme Court of New York, Bronx County, without further notice to either party. Finally, Defendants are directed to, within two business days of this Order, serve on Plaintiff a copy of this Order and to file proof of such service on the docket. Counsel for Plaintiff is directed to file a notice of appearance on the docket within two business days of such service. SO ORDERED. Dated: February 26, 2021 New York, New York SSE M7-FURMAN ited States District Judge