Opinion
22 CV 7829 (VB)
09-14-2022
JAMES T. TUCKER, Plaintiff, v. WEEKS MARINE, INC.; WEEKS BARGE 573, its equipment, tackle and appurtenances, in rem; and WEEKS BARGE 533, its equipment, tackle, and appurtenances, in rem, Defendants.
ORDER
VINCENT L. BRICCETTI, U.S.D.J.
Under Rule 18 of the SDNY Rules for the Division of Business Among District Judges, a civil case must be designated for assignment to the White Plains courthouse if:
i. The claim arose in whole or in major part in the Counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, or Westchester (the “Northern Counties”) and at least one of the parties resides in the Northern Counties; or
ii. The claim arose in whole or in major part in the Northern Counties and none of the parties resides in this District.
A civil case may also be designated for assignment to White Plains if:
iii. The claim arose outside this district and at least some of the parties reside in the Northern Counties; or
iv. At least half of the parties reside in the Northern Counties.
Here, plaintiff has not alleged any facts indicating that any party resides in the Northern Counties, or that the claim arose in whole or in major part in the Northern Counties. Therefore, the case may not have been properly designated to White Plains.
Accordingly, by September 21, 2022, plaintiffs counsel shall submit a letter explaining in detail why the case is properly designated for assignment to the White Plains courthouse under Rule 18 or acknowledging that it should be reassigned to the Manhattan courthouse.
SO ORDERED.