Court Asks for Further Briefing in Louisiana Jurisdictional Dispute

LAKE CHARLES, La. -- A Louisiana federal court has asked the parties involved in a jurisdiction dispute to provide additional briefing on whether the rule of unanimity has been satisfied. Hargrove v. Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, No. 10-00318 (W.D. La.).

According to a Nov. 8 order, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana said that it needs additional briefing before it can reach a conclusion on the motion to remand.

"For purposes of this briefing, counsel are to assume (although the court has not finally decided) that diversity jurisdiction existed at the time of removal on …