Business Litigation

In Royal Canin U. S. A., Inc., v. Wullschleger, No. 23-677, 2025 U.S. LEXIS 365 (2025), the Supreme Court of the United States resolved a circuit split as to whether a plaintiff’s amendment of her complaint after the defendant’s proper removal to federal court can eliminate all federal claims and force remand to state court. This opinion, the Court’s first of 2025, clarifies that federal courts must remand if the amended complaint removes the basis for federal jurisdiction, even if jurisdiction existed at the time of removal. The plaintiff, Ms. Wullschleger, sued Royal Canin in Missouri state court, alleging deceptive […]

The relation-back doctrine plays a pivotal role in litigation, particularly when addressing amendments to pleadings after the statute of limitations has expired. In Virginia, this doctrine and its evolution through case law and legislation have created an intricate legal landscape, making it essential for practitioners to understand its nuances. The relation-back doctrine allows amendments to pleadings to be treated as though they were part of the original filing, provided specific conditions are met. This concept is crucial when the original complaint is filed before the statute of limitations expires, but amendments are sought afterward. The primary question is whether the […]