Opinion
NO. 2021 CW 0071
04-22-2021
ROBERT ROCK v. IRPINO LAW FIRM, LLC, BOBBY HAWKINS, AND ABC INSURANCE COMPANY
In Re: Robert Rock, applying for supervisory writs, 19th Judicial District Court, Parish of East Baton Rouge, No. 692849. BEFORE: WHIPPLE, C.J., WELCH AND CHUTZ, JJ.
WRIT GRANTED. The trial court's December 30, 2020 judgment denying the plaintiff's motion for new trial seeking reconsideration of the trial court's judgment granting the declinatory exception of improper venue filed by the defendants, Irpino Law Firm, LLC and Bobby Hawkins, and transferring this action to Orleans Parish is reversed. The plaintiff, in his first supplemental and amending petition, named Continental Casualty Company (hereinafter "Continental"), the alleged professional liability insurance carrier of Irpino Law Firm, LLC and Bobby Hawkins, as a party defendant. The plaintiff further alleged venue is proper in East Baton Rouge Parish pursuant to La. Code Civ. P. art. 42(7) because Continental is a foreign insurer. The allegations contained in the plaintiff's first supplemental and amending petition, filed prior to the trial court's judgment granting defendants' exception of improper venue, establish that venue is proper in this action in East Baton Rouge Parish. See MB Indus., LLC v. CNA Ins. Co., 2006-1084 (La. App. 1st Cir. 3/23/07), 960 So.2d 144, writs denied, 2007-1186, 2007-1191, 2007-1217 (La. 9/21/07), 964 So.2d 335, 337, 340. Accordingly, the trial court's judgment granting the defendants' exception of improper venue is reversed, and the exception of improper venue is denied.
VGW
JEW
WRC
COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST CIRCUIT /s/_________
DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT
FOR THE COURT