Adler v. Elk Glenn, LLC

The district court entered summary judgment relieving Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance of its duty to defend Elk Glenn against certain breach of contract and related claims arising from the sale of a residential lot. The Sixth Circuit dismissed an appeal. A certification to appeal under Rule 54(b) requires the district court to determine that there is no just reason for delay, which requires the district court to balance the needs of the parties against the interests of efficient case management. The district court’s only reason supporting immediate appeal was the “real prejudice” Kentucky Farm Bureau would suffer. That reference, without further explication, does not provide reasoning supporting the necessity of immediate review. Without proper certification for an interlocutory appeal under Rule 54(b), an order disposing of fewer than all claims in a civil action is not immediately appealable. The Sixth Circuit declined to order the district court to make the necessary findings supporting jurisdiction. View "Adler v. Elk Glenn, LLC" on Justia Law