
    In re TAMALPAIS BANCORP, f/k/a Epic Bancorp, Debtor. Linda S. Green, in her capacity as Chapter 7 trustee for Tamalpais Bancorp, f/k/a Epic Bancorp, Plaintiff, v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in its capacity as receiver for Tamalpais Bank, Defendant.
    No. C 11-00076 JSW.
    United States District Court, N.D. California.
    March 21, 2011.
   ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW REFERENCE TO BANKRUPTCY COURT

JEFFREY S. WHITE, District Judge.

Now before the Court is the motion to withdraw the reference to the bankruptcy court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(d) filed by defendant Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)- This motion is fully briefed and ripe for decision. The Court finds this motion is suitable for disposition without oral argument. See N.D. Civ. L.R. T—1(b). Having carefully considered the parties’ papers and the relevant legal authority, the Court hereby GRANTS FDIC’s motion to withdraw the reference.

BACKGROUND

Two related entities stand at the core of this motion: Tamalpais Bancorp, f/k/& Epic Bancorp (“Debtor”), and its subsidiary, Tamalpais Bank (“Bank”). The relevant facts are undisputed. On April 16, 2010 the California Department of Financial Institutions closed Bank and appointed FDIC as its receiver. On September 24, 2010 Debtor filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding, and Linda S. Green (“Trustee”) was subsequently appointed as trustee for the Debtor’s bankruptcy estate.

The present motion relates to an adversary proceeding, brought in the bankruptcy court by Trustee against FDIC on November 30, 2010, seeking a declaratory judgment regarding ownership of certain tax refunds (“Refunds”). From 1997 to 2009, Debtor filed consolidated tax returns on behalf of itself, Bank, and another subsidiary which is not a party to this action. Due to changes made to the Internal Revenue Code in 2009, FDIC was able to file an amended 2009 tax return on behalf of Bank and secure Refunds in the amount of $9.7 million. In the adversary proceeding that is the focus of this motion, Trustee asserts that the Refunds belong to Debt- or’s bankruptcy estate rather than Bank’s receivership pursuant to a 2005 Tax Sharing Agreement (“TSA”) between Debtor and Bank. FDIC now argues that, because its defense in the adversary proceeding will involve federal non-bankruptcy law, this Court should withdraw the reference to the bankruptcy court as to the adversary proceeding.

ANALYSIS

A. Standard of Review.

District courts, rather than bankruptcy courts, have original jurisdiction over all bankruptcy matters. 28 U.S.C. § 1334(b). However, district courts may refer all bankruptcy matters to a bankruptcy court. 28 U.S.C. § 157(a). 28 U.S.C. § 157(d) provides that, in certain circumstances, a referred case may be transferred from the bankruptcy court back to the district court by withdrawing the reference. Withdrawal can be mandatory or permissive. 28 U.S.C. § 157(d). The burden of persuasion is on the party seeking withdrawal. Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. v. Mesa Air Group, Inc., 355 B.R. 214, 218 (D.Haw.2006).

B. Mandatory Withdrawal.

Mandatory withdrawal of a reference is governed by the second sentence of Section 157(d): “The district court shall, on timely motion of a party, so withdraw a proceeding if the court determines that resolution of the proceeding requires consideration of both title 11 and other laws of the United States regulating organizations or activities affecting interstate commerce.” 28 U.S.C. § 157(d). The Ninth Circuit has not squarely addressed mandatory withdrawal, but other circuits have held that “mandatory withdrawal is required only when [non-title 11] issues require the interpretation, as opposed to mere application, of the non-title 11 statute, or when the court must undertake analysis of significant open and unresolved issues regarding the non-title 11 law.” In re Vicars Ins. Agency, Inc., 96 F.3d 949, 954 (7th Cir.1996); see also In re Ionosphere Clubs, Inc., 922 F.2d 984, 995 (2d Cir.1990). Courts within the Ninth Circuit have largely adopted this approach. See, e.g., In re Upp, Nos. C 10-01934 SI, 3:10-cv-00204-SI, 3:10-cv-01 149-SI, 3:10-cv-02559-SI, 2010 WL 5387609, at *1 (N.D.Cal. Dec.21, 2010); Siegel v. Caldera, No. CV 10-00179-RGK, 2010 WL 1136220, at *1 (C.D.Cal. Mar.19, 2010); In re Creekside Vineyards, Inc., No. CIV. 2:09-2273 WBS EFB, 2009 WL 3378989, at *4 (E.D.Cal. Oct.19, 2009); In re Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego, No. 07cv1355-IEG (RBB), 2007 WL 2406899, at *1-2 (S.D.Cal. Aug. 20, 2007). Under this approach, a movant must do more than merely suggest that novel issues of law could possibly arise in a bankruptcy proceeding. Vicars Ins., 96 F.3d at 954-55.

At least two additional requirements have been identified by courts in the Ninth Circuit. First, mandatory withdrawal is inappropriate where the asserted non-bankruptcy laws do not relate to interstate commerce. In re Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego, 2007 WL 2406899 at *2. Second, only federal law, rather than non-binding policy, can trigger mandatory withdrawal. Siegel, 2010 WL 1136220 at *3.

FDIC first contends that mandatory withdrawal is required here because its affirmative defenses implicate the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”), Pub. L. No. 101-73,103 Stat. 183 (1989). FDIC cites one particular decision by a district court within the Ninth Circuit in support of this proposition: “cases involving FIR-REA require mandatory withdrawal of the reference.” CM Capital Servs. LLC v. Stewart Title of Nevada, No. 2:10-CV-317 JCM (LRL), 2010 WL 4606523, at *2 (D.Nev. Nov.5, 2010) (citing In re Lubin, 411 B.R. 801, 804 (N.D.Ga.2009)). However, the weight of authority places emphasis on what issues are to be addressed rather than what statutes are involved. To the extent that the CM Capital Services court granted mandatory withdrawal simply because a particular federal statute was to be applied, albeit mechanically, to the facts of the case, that court represents the minority position. The mere presence of FIR-REA-based defenses does not satisfy FDIC’s burden of identifying novel issues of law that are likely to arise in the adversary proceeding. See, e.g., Siegel, 2010 WL 1136220 at *2-4 (holding that mandatory withdrawal was inappropriate despite the assertion of FIRREA-based claims),

FDIC next argues that it is entitled to mandatory withdrawal because it intends to assert no fewer than seven affirmative defenses based on federal non-bankruptcy law. There is no authority for FDIC’s assertion that “the sheer number of non-bankruptcy federal laws at issue in this case satisfies the requirement that consideration of other federal law be ‘substantial.’ ” (Reply in Further Support of Motion to Withdraw the Reference (“Reply”) at 7.) Rather, FDIC must show that at least one of the asserted defenses will “require the interpretation, as opposed to mere application, of [a] non-title 11 statute.” Vicars Ins., 96 F.3d at 954.

FDIC fails to demonstrate that any particular defense would require interpretation or analysis of unresolved issues of federal non-bankruptcy laws in the adversary proceeding. Indeed, it characterizes its primary defense, i.e., that the bankruptcy court lacks jurisdiction to hear Trustee’s claims under 18 U.S.C. § 1821(d), as based on “well-settled case law” that renders the outcome “absolutely clear.” (Motion to Withdraw the Reference (“Mot.”) at 2; see also Mem. of Law in Support of Motion to Withdraw the Reference (“Mem.”) at 7 (asserting that the circuits are unanimous on the issue).) Moreover, FDIC represents that almost all of its asserted defenses are dictated by existing, established law. {See, e.g., Mem. at 9,12.) The lone exception is its defense based on 12 U.S.C. § 1821(j), as to which FDIC identifies numerous cases holding in its favor and never suggests that a court would need to do more than mechanically apply those cases here. (Mem. at 10-11.) FDIC thus fails to demonstrate that novel issues of federal bankruptcy law are likely to arise. See Vicars Ins., 96 F.3d at 954-55.

FDIC further contends that mandatory withdrawal is appropriate because a court will be required to decide “whether FIR-REA controls over the Bankruptcy Code.” (Reply at 1.) However, FDIC previously indicated that Trustee’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies under FIRREA deprives a court of jurisdiction to hear claims against FDIC. (Mem. at 8.) By arguing that the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear Trustee’s claims, FDIC has failed to demonstrate the likelihood that unresolved issues of whether FIRREA controls over the Bankruptcy Code will arise in the adversary proceeding. See Vicars Ins., 96 F.3d at 954-55 (“speculative” concerns that RICO claims “might involve novel issues” were insufficient to trigger mandatory withdrawal).

Because FDIC has failed to identify any novel issues of federal non-bankruptcy law that are likely to arise in the adversary proceeding, the Court concludes that mandatory withdrawal is not appropriate in this case.

C. Permissive Withdrawal.

Permissive withdrawal of a reference is governed by the first sentence of Section 157(d): “The district court may withdraw, in whole or in part, any case or proceeding referred under this section, on its own motion or on timely motion of any party, for cause shown.” 28 U.S.C. § 157(d). “In determining whether cause exists, a district court should consider the efficient use of judicial resources, delay and costs to the parties, uniformity of bankruptcy administration, the prevention of forum shopping, and other related factors.” Sec. Farms v. Int’l Bhd. of Teamsters, Chauffers, Warehousemen & Helpers, 124 F.3d 999, 1008 (9th Cir.1997) (citing In re Orion Pictures Corp., 4 F.3d 1095, 1101 (2d Cir.1993)).

“[Characterization of the claims as core or non-core [under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b) ] is useful before considering the [Sec. Farms ] factors.” Hawaiian Airlines, 355 B.R. at 223. “Actions that do not depend on bankruptcy laws for their existence and that could proceed in another court are considered ‘non-core.’ ” Sec. Farms, 124 F.3d at 1008 (citing In re Castlerock Props., 781 F.2d 159, 162 (9th Cir.1986)). While the list of core proceedings provided in 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2) is nonexhaustive, those provisions must be read narrowly so as to avoid “constitutional problems arising from having Article I judges issue final orders in cases requiring an Article III judge, without a party’s consent.” Dunmore v. United States, 358 F.3d 1107, 1115 (9th Cir.2004); see also Castlerock Props., 781 F.2d at 162 (“[A] court should avoid characterizing a proceeding as ‘core’ if to do so would raise constitutional problems.”). “Congress may not vest in a non-Artiele III court the power to adjudicate, render final judgment, and issue binding orders in a traditional contract action arising under state law....” Thomas v. Union Carbide Agric. Prods. Co., 473 U.S. 568, 584, 105 S.Ct. 3325, 87 L.Ed.2d 409 (1985) (characterizing the holding of Northern Pipeline Constr. Co. v. Marathon Pipe Line Co., 458 U.S. 50, 102 S.Ct. 2858, 73 L.Ed.2d 598 (1982)). Thus, while a claim arising from a post-petition contract regarding the property of the bankruptcy estate is a core proceeding, a claim arising from a pre-petition contract is a non-core proceeding even if the debtor is a party to the contract at issue. Compare In re Harris, 590 F.3d 730, 740-41 (9th Cir.2009) with In re Ray, 624 F.3d 1124, 1131-33 (9th Cir.2010).

Trustee frames the adversary proceeding as an action to determine the nature and extent of property of the bankruptcy estate under 11 U.S.C. § 541(a), which Trustee argues is a core proceeding under In re Kincaid, 917 F.2d 1162, 1165 (9th Cir.1990). FDIC, however, characterizes Trustee’s claim as one that merely seeks to determine ownership of certain funds pursuant to a contract and thus fits Sec. Farms’ definition of non-core proceedings. The fact that the TSA was enacted years before Debtor filed for bankruptcy demonstrates that Debtor’s cause of action under the TSA exists independently of bankruptcy law. While Trustee’s claim will have a profound impact on the bankruptcy proceedings, a declaratory judgment action regarding ownership of the Refunds involves only a traditional contract dispute that could have been brought even if Debtor had never filed for bankruptcy. Trustee’s claim is therefore non-core.

Trustee’s reliance on Kincaid is misplaced. The underlying issue in Kincaid was whether certain of the debtor’s future interests in a deferred salary plan were properly included in debtor’s bankruptcy estate. 917 F.2d at 1164-65. There was no question that the interests at issue belonged to the debtor; rather, the question was whether the debtor’s future interests were part of her bankruptcy estate under 11 U.S.C. § 541(a). Id. The primary issue was considered a core issue because resolution of the claim hinged on interpretation of Section 541 of the Bankruptcy Code. See id. at 1165-66. By contrast, the controlling question in the present case is whether the Refunds belong to Debtor under the TSA, and the bankruptcy-related question of whether 11 U.S.C. § 541(a) includes the Refunds in Debtor’s bankruptcy estate is only secondary to that threshold inquiry under contract law. Like the claims that the Sec. Farms court held to be non-core, Trustee’s claim does “not depend on Title 11 ... but [is] in [bankruptcy] court only because of [its] potential impact on the administration of [the bankruptcy] estate.” 124 F.3d at 1008.

Trustee also cites numerous bankruptcy court decisions for the proposition that determination of the ownership of property, when performed in the context of a bankruptcy proceeding, is a core proceeding. However, the recent Ninth Circuit eases of Harris and Ray control over the cases cited by Trustee. Accordingly, Trustee’s pre-petition, TSA-based claim to the Refunds is a non-core claim under binding precedent.

While a bankruptcy court may hear certain non-core issues, its findings of fact and conclusions of law on such issues are subject to de novo review by a district court absent consent of both parties. 28 U.S.C. § 157(c). Because FDIC does not consent here, any findings of the bankruptcy court as to ownership of the Refunds will be subject to de novo review. Such concerns prompted the Sec. Farms court to note that judicial efficiency and costs were best served by withdrawing the reference so that the district court could address the claims in a single proceeding. 124 F.3d at 1008-09. Failure to withdraw the reference at this stage could lead to a future appeal in which a district court will be tasked with reviewing the bankruptcy court’s decision de novo. The Court therefore concludes that (1) judicial resources would be most efficiently used by withdrawing the reference, and (2) unnecessary delay and costs to the parties can be avoided by withdrawing the reference.

The parties each accuse one another of engaging in forum shopping. However, as in Sec. Farms, neither denying nor granting FDIC’s motion will facilitate forum shopping here because a district court will ultimately need to address the issues, whether initially or on de novo review of the bankruptcy court. The prevention of forum shopping neither supports nor opposes withdrawal in the present motion. See Sec. Farms, 124 F.3d at 1009.

Because the primary claim at issue here is non-core, the Court concludes that the Sec. Farms factors render permissive withdrawal appropriate.

CONCLUSION

For the reasons set forth above, FDIC’s motion to withdraw the reference to the bankruptcy court as to the adversary proceeding is GRANTED. All further proceedings in this adversary action shall be held before this Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.  