Excelsior Designs, Inc. v. Sheres
Excelsior Designs, Inc., a New York-based furniture distributor, sued Gregory Sheres, an Arizona resident and owner of Sheres Studio, Inc., for defamation, tortious interference with contractual relations, and unfair competition. Excelsior alleged that Sheres sent letters to its customers, accusing Excelsior of infringing on his furniture designs. Sheres filed a motion to transfer venue from the Eastern District of New York to the District of Arizona. The court denied the motion, finding that neither the convenience of witnesses nor access to evidence clearly favored either venue. The court also emphasized the plaintiff's choice of forum, concluding that Sheres had not met the burden to justify a transfer.