Basso v. Utah Power and Light Company, No. 72-1255.

• Court: United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (10th Circuit)
• Writing for the Court: LEWIS, , DOYLE, Circuit and BRATTON
• Citation: 495 F.2d 906
• Parties: Jeany Copfer BASSO, for herself, and Dawn Marie Basso, an infant, through her Guardian, Jeany Copfer Basso, Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. UTAH POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY, a corporation, Defendant-Appellant.
• Docket Number: No. 72-1255.
• Decision Date: 10 April 1974

495 F.2d 906 (1974)

Jeany Copfer BASSO, for herself, and Dawn Marie Basso, an infant, through her Guardian, Jeany Copfer Basso, Plaintiffs-Appellees,
v.
UTAH POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY, a corporation, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 72-1255.

United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.

April 10, 1974.

495 F.2d 907

Marvin J. Bertoch, of Ray, Quinney & Nebeker, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sidney G. Baucom, of Baucom, Gordon & Porter, Salt Lake City, Utah, on the brief), for defendant-appellant.

Jackson Howard, of Howard, Lewis & Petersen, Provo, Utah, for plaintiffs-appellees.

Before LEWIS, Chief Judge, DOYLE, Circuit Judge and BRATTON, District Judge.

WILLIAM E. DOYLE, Circuit Judge.

This appeal involves a wrongful death action in which the United States District Court for the District of Utah entered judgment in favor of plaintiffs and against defendant, Utah Power and Light Company, in the total amount of $225,447.12. The case had been tried to the court without a jury.

Defendant Power Company filed a notice of appeal on February 23, 1972 and a separate motion to remand the cause to the District Court with directions to vacate judgment for lack of jurisdiction, the contention being that plaintiffs and defendant were all citizens of Utah so that requisite diversity of citizenship was lacking.

After considering the statements of counsel at oral argument, this court on May 18, 1972, remanded the cause to the District Court for the sole purpose of hearing and determining the federal jurisdiction issue. The trial court was directed to make specific findings and conclusions with respect to the existence of diversity of citizenship; the essential question was whether the Utah Power and Light Company had its principal place of business in the state of Utah. If so, it could not be sued in U. S. Court by a Utah citizen because it would be under U. S. statute a Utah citizen. This court retained jurisdiction of the matter following completion of the District Court hearing.

No report was received from the parties or their attorneys concerning the result of any proceeding upon remand. Therefore, a further order was issued on

495 F.2d 908

October 10, 1973. This required the parties to show cause why the case at bar should not be summarily reversed with directions to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. On October 25, 1973, the plaintiffs, through their attorneys, filed with this court a copy of the Restated Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and Additional Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, composed by the plaintiffs' attorneys and signed by the District Court Judge. The defendant filed a memorandum objecting to these Additional Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and renewing its motion to remand the cause with directions to vacate judgment

The sole question submitted in the present posture is whether the federal district court had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, the diversity of citizenship statute. If the requisite diversity did not exist, did the defendant corporation's subsequent conduct waive the jurisdictional requirements by its failure to raise that issue in the district court and its failure to produce any evidence of lack of diversity before final judgment was rendered?

I.

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c), a "corporation" is "deemed a citizen of any State by which it has been incorporated and of the State where it has its principal place of business." Defendant asserts that the Utah Power and Light Company clearly has its principal place of business in the state of Utah, thus making it a "citizen" of Utah. It supports this contention with sworn affidavits and answers to interrogatories revealing that all eleven of its general officers reside in Utah; that the executive and administrative offices of the defendant company are located in Salt Lake City, Utah; that at least 75% of its total operating revenue and kilowatt sales are made in Utah and that almost all of its employees reside and work in Utah. From this it appears that virtually all of its activity centers in Utah and this includes management and distribution as well as generation.

At the hearing on remand, the District Court refused to allow counsel for defendant to present any evidence which would establish the location of the company's principal place of business. In fact, the judge stated at the outset of the hearing that he intended to thwart what he considered to be defendant's counsel's "carefully calculated plans." (Record, Supp. Vol. No. 2, p. 6). The following exchange occurred at the hearing:

Counsel for Defendant: Now, in response to that the Circuit Court's mandate I have brought here for the second time a witness, and I have exhibits to present on that issue if the Court desires to hear it.

The Court: Well, not today; perhaps not ever.

Counsel for Defendant: Since the court knows the disposition of the Circuit with respect to the law that I have referred to, the Supreme Court cases and the Circuit cases, there is really nothing for me to argue on that point.

The Court: All right; Mr. Howard plaintiffs' counsel, you get me up some findings and conclusions covering this precise situation in all of its ramifications and let me look at it, and give me your best cases on it.

Mr. Howard: All right, your honor.

Counsel for Defendant: Your Honor, is the court going to give me the opportunity to present evidence on the point the Circuit asked for a determination on?

The Court: I don't know what I am going to do. (Record, Supp. Vol. No. 2, pp. 24-25).

Without hearing defendant's evidence concerning "principal place of business," the District Court found and concluded that sufficient diversity existed to satisfy the jurisdictional requirements.

Plaintiffs do not dispute defendant's factual assertion that the Utah Power and Light Company has its principal place of business in the state of Utah. At oral argument before this Court, counsel for the plaintiffs stipulated to this fact, stating that he had no evidence

495 F.2d 909

to refute defendant's sworn affidavit

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