In re Shell Oil Co.
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
966 F.2d 1130 (1992)
- Written by Heather Whittemore, JD
Facts
Earl Dennler (plaintiff) filed a lawsuit against Shell Oil Company (Shell) (defendant) in Illinois state court, alleging that Shell violated an employment contract. In his complaint, Dennler alleged that Shell had promised to pay him an annual salary of $70,000. Dennler sought damages ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. Shell removed the case from state court to federal court on diversity-jurisdiction grounds, arguing that, because Dennler alleged that he was to be paid an annual salary of $70,000, it was possible that he would be awarded damages that exceeded the amount-in-controversy requirement of $50,000. Dennler filed a motion to remand, stipulating that he would not collect damages that exceeded $50,000 if he won the case. The federal district court remanded the case to state court without providing a reason for the remand. Shell sought a writ of mandamus from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit setting aside the remand.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Easterbrook, J.)
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