GURNEY'S INN RESORT & SPA LTD. v. Benjamin
Gurney’s Inn Resort & Spa Ltd. (plaintiff) initiated a declaratory judgment action in state court against its Board members Linda Benjamin, Thomas Carusona, and Christopher Bennett to determine voting rights. Benjamin removed the case to federal court based on diversity jurisdiction. Plaintiff moved to remand, arguing a lack of complete diversity and non-compliance with the rule of unanimity. The Court applied the 'collision of interests' test, finding that Carusona and Bennett's interests aligned with Gurney's against Benjamin's. Consequently, the Court realigned Carusona and Bennett as plaintiffs, thereby creating complete diversity and excusing the failure to obtain their consent for removal. The Court denied the plaintiff's motion to remand for lack of federal jurisdiction.