ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION

SAMUEL CONTI, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

Now before the Court is Defendant LegalShield's1 motion to compel Plaintiff Michael Savetsky to arbitrate his claims in this putative consumer class action. ECF Nos. 40 ("Mot."). The motion is fully briefed, ECF Nos. 53 ("Opp'n"), 57 ("Reply"), including a full round of supplemental briefing, ECF Nos. 60 ("Supp. Mot."), 61 ("Supp. Opp'n"), 63 ("Supp. Reply"), and because it is appropriate for consideration without oral argument under Civil Local Rule 7-1(b). The hearing has already been VACATED per ECF No. 65. For the reasons set forth below, the motion is GRANTED.

II. BACKGROUND

This is a putative consumer class action alleging that LegalShield improperly charged recurring payments to its California members for pre-paid legal services without providing sufficient consent or disclosure. To provide legal services to its members, LegalShield contracts with law firms in the states in which it operates and, in exchange for a monthly fee, gives members access to that network of law firms for certain types of legal services.

While LegalShield memberships are available directly to consumers through its website, memberships are primarily sold through "sales associates" — independent contractors who sign up to sell LegalShield memberships in exchange for commissions. ECF No. 42 ("Pinson Decl.") at ¶ 6. While LegalShield did not realize it until recently, Savetsky's involvement with LegalShield began when he applied to be a sales associate online through an existing LegalShield sales associate. After becoming a sales associate, he then also purchased a LegalShield membership of his own.

The Court previously denied a motion to compel arbitration under LegalShield's membership agreement, finding that Savetsky never assented to the arbitration provision. ECF No. 33 ("Prior Order") at 14. After the Court denied that motion, LegalShield discovered that even prior to becoming a member, Savetsky signed up to be a sales associate. In becoming a sales associate, LegalShield contends Savetsky entered into an "associate agreement" containing a separate and enforceable arbitration provision. See Pinson Decl. Ex. A ("Associate Agreement") at 6. The entire provision is lengthy, but the most relevant portion provides that:

Id. at ¶ 23. As a result, LegalShield asks the Court to compel Savetsky to arbitrate the claims he asserts in this case in an individual arbitration, and stay or dismiss the case pending the resolution of that individual arbitration. Savetsky opposes, arguing that the Court lacks jurisdiction to compel arbitration, the agreement is unenforceable, or it does not cover the claims at issue in this case.

In reviewing the underlying agreement, the Court previously noted that the relevant Associate Agreement — which includes the arbitration clause now at issue — stated that it "will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma." ECF No. 42 ("Pinson Decl.") at 6, ¶ 23. Accordingly, the Court ordered a round of supplemental briefs, ECF No. 58, which the parties have provided. Defendant — who during the initial round of briefs agreed that California law applied — now asserts Oklahoma law should be applied, whereas Plaintiff continues to seek the application of California law.

III. LEGAL STANDARD

Section 4 of the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA") permits "a party aggrieved by the alleged failure, neglect, or refusal of another to arbitrate under a written agreement for arbitration [to] petition any United States district court . . . for any order directing that . . . arbitration proceed in the manner provided for in [the arbitration] agreement." 9 U.S.C. § 4. The FAA embodies a policy that generally favors arbitration agreements. Moses H. Cone Mem'l Hosp. v. Mercury Constr. Corp., 460 U.S. 1, 24-25 (1983). The burden on a motion to compel arbitration is on the party opposing arbitration, Edwards v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., No. C 10-03755 CRB, 2010 WL 5059553, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 6, 2010) (citing Shearson/Am. Express, Inc. v. McMahon, 482 U.S. 220, 227 (1987)), and the Court must resolve any doubts in favor of arbitration. See Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc., 473 U.S. 614, 626 (1985).

To determine whether a valid arbitration agreement exists, we "apply ordinary state-law principles that govern the formation of contracts." First Options of Chicago, Inc. v. Kaplan, 514 U.S. 938, 944 (1995). Where the parties do not agree on which state law governs, the court makes the determination by "using the choice-of-law rules of the forum state, which in this case is California." Pokorny v. Quixtar, Inc., 601 F.3d 987, 994 (9th Cir. 2010).

IV. DISCUSSION

Unlike the prior motion to compel arbitration, Plaintiff Savetsky does not argue that he did not assent to the arbitration provision contained in the Associate Agreement. Instead, he contends that LegalShield's motion should be denied because: (1) it seeks to re-litigate arguments the Court rejected in the prior motion to compel arbitration, (2) the Court lacks jurisdiction to decide the motion to compel, (3) the parol evidence rule bars consideration of anything aside from the specific membership agreement at issue in Plaintiff's substantive claims, (4) the Associate Agreement by its own terms does not apply to Plaintiff's claims, and (5) even if the agreement does apply to his claims, it is unconscionable and thus unenforceable.

The Court will address the jurisdictional and relitigation concerns, and then evaluate choice-of-law before turning to the arguments on parol evidence, the scope of the associate agreement, and unconscionability.

A. Jurisdiction

Section 4 of the Federal Arbitration Act provides for "[a] party aggrieved by the alleged failure, neglect, or refusal of another to arbitrate under a written agreement for arbitration may petition any United States district court which, save for such agreement, would have jurisdiction under Title 28, . . . for an order directing that such arbitration proceed in the manner provided for in such agreement." 9 U.S.C. § 4 (emphasis added). Once filed, the court must determine whether a valid agreement to arbitrate exists and, if so, "make an order directing the parties to proceed to arbitration in accordance with the terms of the agreement." Id. Finally, Section 4 states that "[t]he hearing and proceedings, under such agreement, shall be within the district in which the petition for an order directing such arbitration is filed." Id.

Seizing on the final quoted language, Plaintiff argues that because the Associate Agreement provides for arbitration only in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, LegalShield may only seek to compel arbitration there. Thus, he concludes, "this Court has no jurisdiction to grant Defendant's motion to compel." Opp'n at 9.

Plaintiff is mostly incorrect. While he rightly points out that the Court has authority only to order arbitration within the Northern District of California, that does not mean the court lacks jurisdiction to compel arbitration at all. See Textile Unlimited, Inc. v. A.,BMH & Co., Inc., 240 F.3d 781, 785 (9th Cir. 2001) ("[B]y its terms, [Section] 4 only confines the arbitration to the district in which the petition to compel is filed. It does not require that the petition be filed where the contract specified that the arbitration should occur.") (emphasis added) (citing Cont'l Grain Co. v. Dant & Russell, 118 F.2d 967, 969 (9th Cir. 1941)). On the contrary, if the Court finds that a valid agreement to arbitrate exists, the FAA requires the Court to compel arbitration. See 9 U.S.C. § 4 ("The court . . ., upon being satisfied that the making of the agreement for arbitration . . . is not in issue, . . . shall make an order directing the parties to proceed to arbitration. . . .") (emphasis added). At the same time, however, Ninth Circuit precedent prevents the Court from ordering the parties to arbitrate in their chosen venue when, as here, the motion to compel arbitration is filed outside the district encompassing that venue. See Cont'l Grain, 118 F.2d at 968-69; see also Beauperthuy v. 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc., No. 06-0715-SC, 2012 WL 3757486, at *5 (N.D. Cal. July 5, 2012); Homestake Lead Co. v. Doe Run Res. Corp., 282 F.Supp.2d 1131, 1143-44 (N.D. Cal. 2003).2

In short, while the Court has jurisdiction to compel arbitration, it lacks jurisdiction to compel arbitration in Oklahoma City. As a result, this argument is unavailing.

B. Relitigation

Next, Plaintiff contends that LegalShield's motion to compel should be denied as it is an improper attempt to relitigate issues the Court rejected when it denied LegalShield's motion to compel under the membership contract and denied leave to file a motion for reconsideration of that order. See Mot. at 7-8; see also Prior Order at 14; ECF No. 48 ("Recons. Mot.") at 9.

The Court disagrees. First, no authority the Court has found states that the denial of a prior motion to compel arbitration under a different agreement somehow bars the proponent of the prior motion from subsequently asserting that a different contract contains an enforceable arbitration provision. True, a party may waive its right to file a motion to compel arbitration if, while knowing of its right to compel arbitration, it acts inconsistently with that right, and prejudices the opposing party. See Sovak v. Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., 280 F.3d 1266, 1270 (9th Cir. 2002). But LegalShield has consistently and promptly asserted its argument that the parties agreed to arbitrate their disputes, whether in the membership agreement or the associate agreement. Furthermore, contrary to Savetsky's characterization of the Court's prior orders, the Court has never addressed whether the arbitration provision in the associate agreement is valid and enforceable. As a result, Plaintiff's suggestions that this is simply an improper motion for reconsideration or an attempt to relitigate issues previously decided are misplaced.

C. Choice-of-Law

Plaintiff urges strict application of California law on the basis of waiver, that the contract was one of adhesion, and that the choice of law provision cannot be enforced under the principles of Section 187(2) of the Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws. Failing that, Plaintiff argues that the arbitration clause is unenforceable even under Oklahoma law, and even if enforceable that the arbitration clause should not be read to apply to the Membership Contract. Defendant disputes all such arguments. The Court will address the first three arguments in turn. The fourth argument is moot, and thus the Court does not reach it. The fifth is substantially similar to and thus addressed later in connection with Plaintiff's arguments relating to scope of the agreement.

1. Waiver

Plaintiff argues that where a party fails to assert the laws contained in a choice of law provision, the forum state's laws apply by default. See Peleg v. Neiman Marcus Grp., Inc., 204 Cal.App.4th 1425, 1442 (2012). Therefore, had the Court never ordered supplemental briefing, Plaintiff would be correct that default application of California law would be proper. Here, however, the Defendant has asserted the laws from the choice-of-law provision. While the Court does question why Defendant waited so long to assert their choice of law and notes that Defendant did previously agree to apply California law, the Court cannot now entirely ignore Defendant's choice to assert an on-its-face valid provision of the contractual agreement when filing a briefing the Court itself specifically requested. Accordingly, there was no waiver.

2. Adhesion Contracts

Adhesion contracts are frequently enforced within California and throughout the United States. Plaintiff's assertion that substantial injustice results from such a contract runs counter to the Supreme Court decision in Concepcion and other authorities. See AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 131 S.Ct. 1740 (2011); Reply at 7. The Court has previously engaged in a detailed analysis of law relating to clickwraps, shrinkwraps, and browsewraps. Order of the Court filed February 12, 2015, ECF No. 33, 6-8. The contract at issue bears a few of the hallmarks of browsewrap (Plaintiff had to affirmatively click a link to see the terms and conditions), but otherwise looks like clickwrap. Plaintiff sought out the all-digital agreement, was asked whether he agreed to the terms associated — where the terms were hyperlinked within the question itself should he have chosen to review them — and then clicked his acknowledgement and agreement to the terms of the contract. This shows sufficient "mutual manifestation of assent, whether by written or spoken word or by conduct, [to satisfy] the touchstone of contract." Nguyen v. Barnes & Noble, Inc., 763 F.3d 1171, 1175 (9th Cir. Aug. 18, 2014). Nguyen specifically cites approvingly that Courts find the requisite notice "where the user is required to affirmatively acknowledge the agreement before proceeding with use of the website." Id. at 1176. Therefore, the Court rejects Plaintiff's adhesion argument at this juncture, though revisits the issue in connection with unconscionability.

3. Restatement Principles

"California courts shall apply the principles set forth in Restatement [S]ection 187, which reflects a strong policy favoring enforcement of [choice-of-law] provisions." Nedlloyd Lines B.V. v. Superior Court, 3 Cal.4th 459, 464-465 (Cal. 1992); see also Wash. Mut. Bank, FA v. Super. Ct., 24 Cal.4th 906, 914-916 (Cal. 2001) (applying Nedlloyd); Pokorny, 601 F.3d at 994 (applying Wash. Mut. Bank). Section 187(2) of the Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws requires enforcement of choice-of-law provisions except where:

Courts are first to check prong (a), then consider whether the foreign state's laws are contrary to a fundamental policy, and only then consider whether California has a "materially greater interest" in applying its own laws. See Bridge Fund Capital Corp. v. Fastbucks Franchise Corp., 622 F.3d 996, 1002-03 (9th Cir. 2010).

i. Substantial Relationship

Here, Defendant is an Oklahoma corporation whose principle place of business is in Oklahoma. California courts and the Ninth Circuit have endorsed that this is sufficient analysis for finding a substantial relationship and reasonable basis for the choice of law at the initial step. See, e.g., Peleg, 204 Cal. App. 4th at 1446-47; Ruiz v. Affinity Logistics Corp., 667 F.3d 1318, 1323 (9th Cir. 2012). Accordingly, the Court finds that there is a "substantial relationship" to the parties and a "reasonable basis" for the parties' choice of law.

ii. Fundamental Policy

The Court next considers whether Oklahoma's laws are contrary to a fundamental policy. Here, Plaintiff offers several potential policies that might be frustrated: (1) that there are differences between the California and Oklahoma legal standards for unconscionability; (2) that Oklahoma law permits unilateral contract modifications whereas California law does not; and (3) Oklahoma's consumer protection law is far less strong than California's, which includes a robust punitive scheme and anti-waiver provisions. The Court finds the first argument unlikely to reflect a fundamental policy, rejects the second argument, but agrees with the third argument, and therefore finds that Oklahoma's laws are contrary to a fundamental policy.

The Court finds the differences between the California and Oklahoma law to be real but minimal. The FAA provides that arbitration agreements are "valid, irrevocable, and enforceable save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract." 9 U.S.C. § 2. This "savings clause" preserves generally-applicable state law contract defenses like unconscionability, provided they do not single out arbitration agreements or otherwise undermine the purposes of the FAA. See Concepcion, 131 S. Ct. at 1748.

Under California law, unconscionability "`has both a procedural and a substantive element, the former focusing on oppression or surprise due to unequal bargaining power, the latter on overly harsh or one-sided results.'" Kilgore v. KeyBank Nat'l Ass'n, 673 F.3d 947, 963 (9th Cir. 2012) (quoting Armendariz v. Found. Psychcare Servs., Inc., 24 Cal.4th 83, 114 (Cal. 2000)). Conversely, unconscionability under Oklahoma law does not separately consider procedural versus substantive factors:

Barnes v. Helfenbein, 548 P.2d 1014, 1020 (Okla. 1976).

Plaintiff suggests this has been recently interpreted to require a showing of "gross inequality of bargaining power." Been v. O.K. Indus., Inc., 495 F.3d 1217, 1237 (10th Cir. 2007). However, further review shows that "gross inequality" is just one circumstance that usually leads to a finding of unconscionability, rather than an updated test. Id.3 Thus the standards do appear substantially similar. Moreover, differences resulting from application of a procedural law like unconscionability are unlikely to reflect a fundamental policy choice.

Defendant asks the Court to accept that "there is no meaningful difference in the standards." Supp. Reply at 2. While there might be some reason to suspect Defendant is in error — that the laws of the two states are not the same — such a finding would favor application of California's law. Even so, the Court finds below that a different fundamental policy at issue, so the Court ultimately does apply California law, mooting this concern.

Next, Plaintiff argues that permitting unilateral contract modifications is contrary to a fundamental policy. Even taking as true Plaintiff's assertion that Oklahoma law permits unilateral contract modifications whereas California law does not, Plaintiff's arguments fail.

The Court agrees that, in this limited instance, Concepcion's preemption rulings will not invalidate the choice of law. See Concepcion, 131 S. Ct. at 1748. In Mortenson, a long-standing Montana contract policy was found preempted by the FAA per Concepcion because the policy would often operate to invalidate arbitration clauses. Mortensen v. Bresnan Communs., LLC, 722 F.3d 1151, 1161 (9th Cir. 2013). Plaintiff asserts Mortensen also stands for the principle that fundamental policies are based on contract law and not limited to arbitration. Supp. Oppn at 5. Mortensen clarified that it found the general contract law preempted because, as interpreted by the Montana Supreme Court, it would always disfavor arbitrations. Mortensen, 722 F.3d at 1160.

Here, there is a legitimate concern that laws of another state could disfavor application of choice-of-laws in favor of another state's laws. However, unlike in Mortensen, there is no indication or history of use within California connecting the disallowing of unilateral contracts with the invalidation of otherwise permissible arbitration clauses. The choice-of-law issue here is no more concerning as related to arbitration than it would be if this were an agreement for consideration by any other judicial body. By the same token, there is no indication that this is a fundamental policy.4 The Court thus turns back to the restatement: "[a] forum will not refrain from applying the chosen law merely because this would lead to a different result than would be obtained under the local law of the state of the otherwise applicable law." Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws, § 187, comment g. Therefore, while the Court agrees with Plaintiff's argument that Concepcion does not change the California unconscionability analysis or in this specific instance necessitates Federal preemption, the Court's analysis does not provide Plaintiff the desired relief. The Court finds that this particular difference of contract law does not constitute a fundamental policy and is therefore not substantive.5

The Court agrees, however, with the Plaintiff's argument that there is a substantial interest at stake in application of California versus Oklahoma's consumer protection law. The Court agrees that Oklahoma's law is far less strong than California's, and Plaintiff correctly cites the Court's pre-Concepcion order. Supp. Opp'n at 5. Antiwaiver provisions of the California Legal Remedies Act (such as those as cited by Plaintiff) cannot be used to preclude arbitration agreements. See Concepcion, 131 S. Ct. at 1747-48. But where the California legislature included an antiwaiver provision, it is reasonable to conclude that they were attempting to create a fundamental right. If interpreted to effectuate disfavoring arbitration, certainly the FAA per Concepcion would preempt the statute and language. Here, however, the antiwaiver provision is cited merely to underscore the importance of the California law, and the right lost is all protections afforded under the law. The issue, then, is that choice-of-law results in a fundamental policy harm irrespective of whether this case is heard at arbitration or by a judge.

Thus the Court concludes there is a fundamental policy conflict in the laws of Oklahoma versus California.

iii. Materially Greater Interest

If there was no such conflict of laws, the Court would be required to enforce the parties' choice of law. Peleg, 204 Cal. App. 4th at 1446. Where, as here, there is a conflict, the last step in the choice-of-laws analysis is whether California has a:

Id. (quoting in part Nedlloyd, 3 Cal. 4th at 466).

Having found a substantial interest, the Court is satisfied California's interest is material, and thus is concerned here with whether its interest is greater than that of Oklahoma. In answer thereto, the Ninth Circuit's analysis in Pokorny is highly instructive. There, Defendants argued Quixtar ADR provisions should have been evaluated using Michigan's unconscionability law vice California's. Pokorny 601 F.3d at 994. Pokorny differs with our case here in that it applied a governmental interest test to which the parties had, in effect, assented. Id. The second prong of that test was examination of "each jurisdiction's interest in the application of its own law under the circumstances of the particular case to determine whether a true conflict exists." Id. at 994-95. Defendants there argued Michigan had an interest because it was the place of the corporate headquarters and Michigan had an interest in providing its companies with a consistent body of law on which they could rely nationwide. However, Pokorny found in favor of the Plaintiffs, three individuals from California, on the following basis: they had no discernable connection to Michigan; Michigan thus had little to no interest in applying its own procedural unconscionability laws to their challenge; California had a substantial interest in applying its procedural laws; there was no true conflict of laws; and even had there been one California's considerably stronger interest would prevail. Id. at 995-996.

Here, the factual circumstances are almost identical to Pokorny.6 Plaintiff is an associate bringing suit against an employer under an arbitration clause. He has never worked in Oklahoma and never visited Oklahoma. ECF No. 61-2, ¶¶ 3-4 ("Savetsky Supp. Decl."). All his contact with the Defendant Oklahoma corporation has been in and through California. Oklahoma thus has no greater interest in application of its procedural unconscionability law here than Michigan had in Pokorny. So too California has as much interest in application of its procedural law here as it did in Pokorny. Accordingly, California thus has a materially greater interest in applying its own laws.

Ruiz also favors a finding for Plaintiff. See Ruiz, 667 F.3d at 1324. The test there, which is the same as the one applied here, requires that for this third prong the Court "must analyze the following factors: (1) the place of contracting; (2) the place of negotiation of the contract; (3) the place of performance; (4) the location of the subject matter of the contract; and, (5) the domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation, and place of business of the parties." Id. Here, all but the last factor favors the Plaintiff. He contracted, "negotiated" (or at least agreed to) the contract, and performed the contract in California, and the subject matter of the contract was all in California. Also like in Ruiz, there is no evidence suggesting Oklahoma has any material interest in the resolution of this case. Id. at 1324-25. Therefore, the Court finds that California has a materially greater interest in application of its laws.

Accordingly, the Court applies California law to the limited question of whether or not the arbitration clause is enforceable or unconscionable.7

D. Parol Evidence

Plaintiff argues that the parol evidence rule bars LegalShield from attempting to enforce the Membership Contract's arbitration provisions by pointing to the arbitration provision in the associate agreement. This argument fails. Under California law, when parties enter into an integrated written agreement, extrinsic evidence of a prior agreement may not be used to contradict or alter the terms of the written agreement. See Riverisland Cold Storage, Inc. v. Fresno-Madera Prod. Credit Ass'n, 291 P.3d 316, 318 (Cal. 2013); see also Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1856(a).8 However, LegalShield is not seeking to contradict or alter the terms of the (latter) written membership agreement — it is merely seeking to enforce the terms of the (prior) associate agreement without reference to any extrinsic evidence at all. To put it another way, LegalShield is not seeking to enforce the arbitration provision in the (latter) membership agreement by pointing to the arbitration provision in the (prior) associate agreement; it is seeking to enforce the (prior) arbitration provision in the associate agreement by pointing to the arbitration provision in the (prior) associate agreement. While in some instances an integration clause might bar this approach, the Court has previously (at Plaintiff's own urging) found that Plaintiff did not consent to the membership agreement, and therefore neither side would be bound by the terms therein — the integration clause or the arbitration clause. Therefore, Plaintiff cannot now claim that parol evidence or an integration clause can require limitation to the terms of the membership agreement. Moreover, even if the membership agreement was still valid (which it is not), the terms of the membership agreement are consistent with the associate agreement insofar as both require arbitration. See Order of the Court filed February 12, 2015, ECF No. 33; ECF No. 42-3, Exhibit G at 47. As a result, the parol evidence rule is irrelevant.

E. Scope of the Associate Agreement

Even if the Court finds the arbitration and choice-of-law provisions valid, Plaintiff asserts that the terms of the associate agreement do not apply to the separate Membership Contract. Plaintiff is incorrect. Plaintiff entered into the Associate Agreement first. The agreement, if valid, clearly contemplates that arbitration shall be used for "[a]ll disputes and claims related to LegalShield . . . products and services . . . or any other claims or causes of action between the Associate or LegalShield . . . whether statutory in tort in contract or otherwise. . . ." Associate Agreement at 6. The first quoted clause on its own is likely broad enough to be sufficient, and certainly the additional quoted clauses make it clear that an Associate is subjecting to arbitration for almost anything at all relating to LegalShield. The scope of an arbitration provision is governed by federal law. See Tracer Research Corp. v. Nat'l Envtl. Servs. Co., 42 F.3d 1292, 1294 (9th Cir. 1994). Federal law requires arbitration clauses be liberally construed, with all doubts resolved in favor of arbitration. See Chiron Corp. v. Ortho Diagnostic Sys., Inc., 207 F.3d 1126, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000); Simula, Inc. v. Autoliv, Inc., 175 F.3d 716, 719-720 (9th Cir. 1999); see also Armijo v. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 72 F.3d 793, 797-98 (10th Cir. 1995); P & P Indus., Inc. v. Sutter Corp., 179 F.3d 861, 871 (10th Cir 1999). Here, the language is even broader than the cases cited by LegalShield that discuss "[a]ll disputes arising in connection with this Agreement . . .," or "[a]ny disputes related to this Agreement or its enforcement . . .," and, unlike those cases, encompasses claims both related and unrelated to the associate agreement. See Simula, 175 F.3d at 720 (emphasis omitted); In re TFT-LCD (Flat Panel) Antitrust Litig., No. M 07-1827 SI, 2011 WL 2650689, at *3-5 (N.D. Cal. July 6, 2011).

While the Court might be more sympathetic to Plaintiff's argument if made by a member who then later became an associate, it is not unreasonable for an associate to expect that he would be bound by different and more stringent rules when he later becomes a member (as compared to those who are solely members). This is especially true where Savetsky knew or reasonably should have known he had already agreed to some form of binding contract that may have (and here did) limit his rights as to "products and services" and "any other claims or causes of action" that Plaintiff had. Therefore, Plaintiff's claims made in the posture of simply being a member are bound by all valid provisions of his earlier signed Associate Agreement. Signing a later contract (in this instance) did not release or reduce his existing obligations. Because Plaintiff's claims are clearly related to LegalShield (as opposed to the associate agreement), relate to LegalShield products and services, and are (at the very least) other claims between Savetsky and LegalShield, this case clearly falls within the scope of the arbitration clause in the associate agreement.

F. Unconscionability

Plaintiff asserts that the associate agreement is unconscionable, and hence unenforceable. In California, a finding of unconscionability requires "a `procedural' and a `substantive' element, the former focusing on `oppression' or `surprise' due to unequal bargaining power, the latter on `overly harsh' or `one-sided' results." Concepcion, 131 S. Ct. at 1746 (citations omitted). For the reasons set forth below, the Court agrees that parts of the associate agreement are unconscionable under California law and therefore cannot be enforced. However, because the severability clause may operate to save the arbitration clause and the Court is required to read the contract resolving any ambiguity in favor of arbitration, the Court finds the severability clause does operate to save the agreement to arbitrate. Therefore, despite ultimately striking some language as unenforceable, the Court finds that an arbitration is required.

The Court rejects Plaintiff's concerns over the size and length of the agreement. Two pages in all 8-point type is easily legible and is not so long that anything can be truly obfuscated by its placement. The Court is also satisfied that Plaintiff has been able to access a copy of the AAA rules, eliminating or minimizing any harm therefrom. Thus, any procedural unconscionability in failing to provide the AAA rules that may exist is minimal and does not substantially sway the Court's analysis.9

Plaintiff cites Chavarria v. Ralphs Grocery Store, 733 F.3d 916, 922 (9th Cir. 2013) for the proposition that a take-it-or-leave-it contract is procedurally unconscionable under California law. Chavarria goes on to find still greater procedural unconscionability in the circumstances of that case, where plaintiffs were required to agree to terms weeks after beginning a job, and where the terms applied irrespective of agreement. Id. at 923. However, Chavarria still finds that there was procedural unconscionability simply by virtue of being a take-it-or-leave-it, "standardized contract, drafted by the party of superior bargaining strength, that relegate[d] to the subscribing party only the opportunity to adhere to the contract or reject it." Id. Cases cited by Defendant to the contrary are all district court cases decided prior to Chavarria, which itself was decided after Concepcion. Reply at 7. The Court must therefore decline to follow these persuasive authorities in favor of binding precedent from the Ninth Circuit. Accordingly, the Court finds there is a degree, albeit the lesser degree, of procedural unconscionability.

This in no way negates the Court's earlier finding rejecting that adhesion alone makes the associate agreement invalid nor impacts the Court's earlier finding that there is sufficient "mutual manifestation of assent, whether by written or spoken word or by conduct, [to satisfy] the touchstone of contract." Nguyen, 763 F.3d at 1175. Rather, California unconscionability is a sliding scale test. Chavarria, 733 F.3d at 922. Both procedural and substantive unconscionability are required, and "greater substantive unconscionability may compensate for lesser procedural unconscionability." Id. Thus the Court next considers whether there was substantive unconscionability, and if so whether it was to the degree necessary.

A contract term is not substantively unconscionable when it merely gives one side a greater benefit; rather, the term must be "so one-sided as to `shock the conscience.'" Pinnacle Museum Tower Assn. v. Pinnacle Market Development (US), LLC, 55 Cal.4th 223, 246 (Cal. 2012). Here, Plaintiff suggests that overly harsh, one-sided results sufficient to meet this requirement can be found in the unilateral rights provided to Defendant, the location of the forum, and the costs Plaintiff might bear under the AAA Commercial Rules. The Court considers each in turn.

Plaintiff objects that the arbitration clause grants unilateral rights only to the Defendant. In relevant part, the Associate Agreement states: "Associate understands and expressly agrees that LegalShield may seek a temporary restraining order and/or preliminary injunction in state or federal court to maintain the status quo pending determination of the dispute." Associate Agreement at 6. Defendant provides an effective critique of Plaintiff's argument, see Reply at 9-10, but fails to note that it is the Defendant who initially sets the status quo, and thus one might expect the status quo will more frequently favor the Defendant. Thus the Court is concerned that this clause does provide the Defendant some advantage in being the only side which may seek injunctive relief. Moreover, if Defendant is correct that both sides can still seek injunctive relief, there seems to be no benefit to the clause. The Court therefore finds that this clause does create some amount of substantive unconscionability. But the Court also agrees with Defendant that the clause can be easily severed — a matter the Court will take up below.

Plaintiff also objects to the location of the forum in Oklahoma. The Associate Agreement states arbitrations "shall be settled . . . by arbitration in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. . . ." Associate Agreement at 6. The Court agrees with Plaintiff. Defendant's decision not to enforce this provision now does not change the fact that, upon entry into the contract, the provision indicated a degree of substantial unconscionability.

Plaintiff also objects to costs it might bear under the AAA Commercial Rules. The Associate Agreement states arbitrations "shall be settled totally and finally by arbitration . . . in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association." Associate Agreement at 6. Chavarria is again instructive. There, the underlying district court "cited [as problematic] the preclusion of institutional arbitration administrators, namely AAA or JAMS, which have established rules and procedures to select a neutral arbitrator." Chavarria, 733 F.3d at 923. There, Ralphs imposed significant fees up-front on each party seeking arbitration and structured the rules to ensure that Ralphs would usually (if not always) get to pick the arbiter and have certain innate advantages when going into arbitration. See Chavarria, 733 F.3d 923-25. No such concern exists here. There is no fee splitting, merely use of the rules of a well-respected neutral arbitration group. Chavarria cited failure to use such a group as problematic, and noted the Ninth Circuit has failed to assign error where there was "a mere risk" that a party might face a prohibitive cost. Id. at 925-26 (citing Kilgore v. KeyBank National Ass'n, 718 F.3d 1052, 1058 (9th Cir. 2013) (en banc)).

Here, the agreement simply selects the ground rules. There is no inclusion of additional fees in the Associate Agreement beyond those set rules, and the AAA rules provide for relief for those unable to pay. Absent evidence that Plaintiff cannot pay or evidence that there is some mechanism designed to increase costs in a manner designed to deprive Plaintiff of a day in court, there is insufficient evidence of substantive unconscionability.

Finally, the Court turns to the Severability Clause. The Associate Agreement states that:

Associate Agreement at 6. The FAA and Concepcion make clear that any doubt or ambiguity in the contract should be resolved in favor of arbitration. Plaintiff cites that several California courts have chosen to invalidate an entire contract on the basis of more than one indication of substantive unconscionability. See Reply at 24-25. The Court recognizes that "an arbitration agreement permeated by unconscionability, or one that contains unconscionable aspects that cannot be cured by severance, restriction, or duly authorized reformation, should not be enforced." Armendariz, 24 Cal. 4th at 126. Here, however, the Court finds that there is a reasonable means and basis to save the contract. The Court has already found that there was a sufficient "mutual manifestation of assent" and dicta indicating acceptance of this precise type of contract by the Ninth Circuit. See Nguyen, 763 F.3d at 1175-76. Enforcement of those portions not found (above) to contain unconscionable agreements does not favor or disfavor either side in a manner that runs contrary to the interests of justice. See Armendariz, 24 Cal. 4th at 126-27. Therefore, the Court severs and finds unenforceable the clause limiting injunctive relief to only Defendant and locating any arbitration in Oklahoma. Language relating to filing orders in Oklahoma and consenting to jurisdiction there does not foreclose other options (such as filing an order with this Court) and thus do not yet pose any concern. The remainder of the contract stands.

V. CONCLUSION

For the above reasons, the Court SEVERS and STRIKES the language below with a cross-through from the associate agreement:

The remainder of the associate agreement remains valid. Accordingly, the Court hereby ORDERS that parties proceed to binding arbitration in accordance with the (remaining) terms of the agreement. The hearing and proceedings, under such agreement, shall be within this judicial district. See 9 U.S.C. § 4. The Court STAYS this case pending results of the above ordered arbitration.

Still-valid language in the associate agreement consents to entry of judgment in Oklahoma yet not in California, but does not actually foreclose enforcement in California. Therefore, the stay notwithstanding, within 20 days of this order, the Court ORDERS Defendant to SHOW CAUSE why any judgment resulting from this arbitration cannot be filed in and enforced by the Court or another judicial body within California. Alternatively, Defendant may during those same 20 days stipulate to the continued jurisdiction of the Court to enforce the results of the arbitration the Court has ordered herein.

IT IS SO ORDERED.