Case Activity (690)

1. Order | Filed: June 17, 2026 | Entered: June 17, 2026 Eastern Bank v. Fletcher et al

   Consumer Credit | Massachusetts

   Order To Show Cause

   District Judge Julia E. Kobick: ELECTRONIC ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE entered.

   The parties are ORDERED to show cause by July 1, 2026 why this matter should not be remanded to Essex Superior Court for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. See Boniface v. Viliena, 145 F.4th 98, 109 (1st Cir. 2025) ("Courts 'have an independent obligation to determine whether subject-matter jurisdiction exists, even in the absence of a challenge from any party.'" (quoting Arbaugh v. Y&H Corp., 546 U.S. 500, 514 (2006))). Invoking federal question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, defendant William Fletcher removed the case to this Court on the grounds that he would "raise counterclaims, especially under the federal Electronic Funds Transfer Act of 1978, and defenses which raise questions of federal law, as does the federal nature of the regulatory scheme governing the Plaintiff [Eastern] Bank." ECF 1 .

   But federal question jurisdiction "cannot be predicated on an actual or anticipated defense." Vaden v. Discover Bank, 556 U.S. 49, 60 (2009). Nor can federal question jurisdiction "rest upon an actual or anticipated counterclaim." Id. ("[A] federal counterclaim, even when compulsory, does not establish 'arising under' jurisdiction."). Since Fletcher sought removal based on his anticipated counterclaims and defenses, and Eastern Bank does not assert any federal law claims, it appears that the Court lacks federal question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331. ECF 1-1, ¶¶ 25-72. It also appears that the Court lacks diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332 because Eastern Bank and at least some of the defendants are citizens of Massachusetts. Id. ¶¶ 1-5. Accordingly, the parties should explain whether, and if so, why, they nonetheless believe that the Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action. (Currie, Haley)

2. Misc | Filed: May 13, 2026 | Entered: May 13, 2026 Eastern Bank v. Fletcher et al

   Consumer Credit | Massachusetts

   Statement of fact

   STATEMENT of facts re 40 MOTION for Summary Judgment with Certificate of Service . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11)(Tenney, Robert)

3. 688 additional result(s)