No. 24-789

ECB USA, Inc., a Florida Corporation, et al. v. Chubb Insurance Company of New Jersey, et al.

Lower Court: Eleventh Circuit
Docketed: 2025-01-24
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: circuit-split contract-interpretation erie-doctrine federal-common-law judicial-precedent state-law
Key Terms:
Jurisdiction JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2025-03-21
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether under Erie v. Tompkins a federal court can apply federal common law rules of contract construction instead of New Jersey state law principles

Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Whether under the mandate of Erie v. Tompkins , 304 U.S. 64 (1938), a federal court is permitted to apply federal common law rules of construction in lieu of well settled state law principles of contract interpretation as articulated by the New Jersey Supreme Court. In other words, are the rules of construction of a contract “quintessentially substantive,” rather than procedural, thereby mandating the application of state contract law to decide interpretation questions? 2. Whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit erred in refusing to follow Third Circuit precedent construing a New Jersey contract under New Jersey law, thereby creating an untenable split of authority. 3. Whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit erred in factfinding that an insured was a sophisticated party when there is nothing in the record supporting such a finding and the issue was never raised, briefed, or argued below.

Docket Entries

2025-03-24
Petition DENIED.
2025-02-26
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/21/2025.
2025-02-21
Waiver of Chubb Insurance Company of New Jersey, a New Jersey Insurance Company Corporation, et al. of right to respond submitted.
2025-02-21
Waiver of right of respondent Chubb Insurance Company of New Jersey, a New Jersey Insurance Company Corporation, et al. to respond filed.
2025-01-21
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 24, 2025)

Attorneys

Chubb Insurance Company of New Jersey, a New Jersey Insurance Company Corporation, et al.
Gary L. Sasso — Respondent
Gary L. Sasso — Respondent
ECB USA, Inc., Atlantic Ventures Corp., and G.L.E. C2B
Joel S. MagolnickMarko & Magolnick, P.A., Petitioner
Joel S. MagolnickMarko & Magolnick, P.A., Petitioner