X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
Submitted: September 7, 2010

Before SMITH, BOWMAN, and GRUENDER, Circuit Judges.

Marlene Westerfeld, a Missouri resident, filed this class action in Missouri state court against Independent Processing, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company that processed residential mortgage documents, and Provident Funding Associates, LP, a California limited partnership that provided residential mortgages. Westerfeld alleged that when Independent and Provident charged her and other Missouri residents a “broker processing fee” and an “administrative fee,” respectively, in residential mortgage financing transactions, the two entities engaged in the unauthorized practice of law and violated the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 407.010–407.1500. Provident removed the case to federal court pursuant to the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (CAFA).*fn1 Westerfeld then moved to remand the case based on an exception to CAFA jurisdiction, the local-controversy exception, 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(4)(A). The District Court granted Westerfeld’s motion, ordering the case remanded to the Circuit Court of St. Louis County. Provident filed a timely petition with this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1453(c)(1) for leave to appeal the District Court’s remand order. We granted Provident’s motion, and reviewing the District Court’s interpretation of CAFA de novo, see Iowa 80 Grp., Inc. v. IRS, 406 F.3d 950, 952 (8th Cir. 2005) (standard of review), we now vacate the judgment of the District Court and remand the case for further consideration consistent with this opinion.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
November 27, 2024
London

Celebrating achievement, excellence, and innovation in the legal profession in the UK.


Learn More
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More

The Business Litigation Group of the Boston office of McCarter & English seeks a litigation associate with 3-5 years of business litigat...


Apply Now ›

McCarter and English is actively seeking a trusts and estates associate for our Newark, NJ office with 3-5 years of experience in estate pla...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP is actively seeking an associate the to join its Environment & Energy Practice Group in Philadelphia, PA. Ca...


Apply Now ›