Ariz. Judge Says Plaintiffs Didn't Engage in Forum Shopping

PHOENIX -- An Arizona federal court has granted a benzene plaintiffs' motion to remand, opining that since the plaintiffs had a colorable claim against the local defendants, they did not take part in forum shopping, as the defendants had suggested. Zendajas, et al. v. Shell Oil Co., et al., No. 08-01720 (D. Ariz.).

In the Dec. 10 order, Judge David G. Campbell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona did find, however, that since the matter included issues of first impression, the plaintiffs were not entitled to costs and attorneys' fees.

The complaint was filed by …