Milan Express Co. v. Applied Underwriters Captive Risk Assurance Co.
The Chief Judge reviewed objections to a Magistrate Judge's order concerning arbitration and venue. The Magistrate Judge had previously granted Milan Express Co., Inc.'s motion to stop arbitration and denied Applied Underwriters Captive Risk Assurance Company, Inc.'s motions to compel arbitration and transfer venue. The Chief Judge conducted a de novo review and upheld the Magistrate Judge's findings. The arbitration clause was deemed invalid under Nebraska law, as the Reinsurance Participation Agreement (RPA) related to an insurance policy but did not fall under the exception for contracts between insurance companies. The motion to transfer venue was also denied, with the court emphasizing the convenience of witnesses in Tennessee over the contractual forum-selection clause. The court ultimately adopted the magistrate judge's decisions.