Royal Canin USA Inc. v. Wullschleger (Federal Jurisdiction)

Supreme Court Decision Syllabus (SCOTUS Podcast)

Royal Canin U.S.A., Inc. v. Wullschleger (Decided January 15, 2025)
In Royal Canin U.S.A., Inc. v. Wullschleger, the Supreme Court addressed whether a federal court retains supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §1367 when a plaintiff amends their complaint to remove all federal claims after a case is removed to federal court.

The case arose after Wullschleger sued Royal Canin in state court, asserting both federal and state claims. Following removal to federal court, Wullschleger amended her complaint, eliminating the federal claims and seeking remand to state court. The Court held that when federal claims are removed from an amended complaint, federal courts lose supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state-law claims, requiring remand to state court. Justice Kagan, writing for a unanimous Court, emphasized that federal jurisdiction must be assessed based on the operative complaint.

Justice Kagan delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.