1. WHERE WE ARE & WHAT WE’RE DOING Overlapping jurisdiction Cases arising under state law Concurrent state & federal jurisdiction Diversity cases What law applies?

2. SKILLS: READING CASES Byrd v. Blue Ridge REC, p. 281 Basics “Outcome determinative” under York? Black letter law

3. TAKEAWAYS Black letter law York “significantly affect result of litigation” if disregard controlling state law Byrd If state law doesn’t determine outcome isn’t bound up with substantive rts/obligations Federal court applies balancing test Value of uniformity v. state’s interest

4. TAKEAWAYS Federalism policy concerns Forum shopping Outcome-determination Federal interest in uniformity State “substantive” interests

5. READING STATUTES Rules Enabling Act 28 U.S.C. §2072(a), Supp. p. 364 The Supreme Court shall have the power to prescribe general rules of practice and procedure and rules of evidence for cases in the United States district courts (including proceedings before magistrates thereof) and courts of appeals.

6. READING STATUTES Rules Enabling Act 28 U.S.C. §2072(b), Supp. p. 364 Such rules shall not abridge, enlarge or modify any substantive right.

7. BLACK LETTER LAW Hanna v. Plumer If federal rule on point Apply Unless violates Rules Enabling Act And if constitutional If federal practice not in codified rule: Apply federal practice unless Encourage forum shopping or Result in inequitable administration of law

8. HYPOTHETICALS Diversity case State law Pleadings with substantial factual detail

9. HYPOTHETICALS Diversity case State law Medical malpractice cases Non-binding arbitration

10. HYPOTHETICALS Diversity case State law WA statute for personal injury cases Not plead damages amount

11. TAKEAWAYS Rules Enabling Act Hanna black letter law Big picture Shift back towards Swift Federal concerns dominate

12. TAKEAWAYS The Erie Problem after Hanna Diversity Cases What law applies “Substantive Law” State Law Applies “Procedural” Law “Pure Erie” No Fed rule on point Apply federal rule Unless violates REA + If constitutional Federal Rule (Statute) on Point Apply federal rule unless encourage forum shopping Or 2) result in “inequitable admin. of laws