SURRICK, District Judge.
Presently before the Court is the Motion to Dismiss of Defendants Pieter Johannis Leendert Okkerse, Wayne Blanchard, Frank Powers, and Bobby Hampton (ECF No. 25). For the following reasons, the Motion will be denied.
On August 30, 2013, Plaintiff, SKF USA, Inc. ("SKF"), filed this lawsuit against Defendants, Pieter Johannis Leendert Okkerse, Wayne Blanchard, Frank Powers, and Bobby Hampton. (Compl., ECF No. 1.) On the same day, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 3), a Motion for Hearing on the Motion for Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 8), a Motion for Expedited Discovery (ECF No. 5), and a Motion to Preserve Evidence (ECF No. 7). Plaintiff's three-count Complaint alleges that Defendants violated a valid and enforceable non-competition agreement. (Compl.) Counts One and Two allege breach of contract and tortious interference with contract against all Defendants. (Id.) Count Three alleges tortious interference with prospective and/or contractual relations against Defendant Okkerse. (Id.)
On September 27, 2013, Defendants filed the instant Motion to Dismiss. (Defs.' Mot., ECF No. 25.) Defendants' Motion challenges personal jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2) and venue under Rule 12(b)(3). (Id.) Defendants
Plaintiff is a Delaware corporation that provides a wide array of products and technology to a diverse industrial customer base. (Compl. ¶¶ 3, 11, 12.) Plaintiff employs thousands of employees in multiple states and maintains a principal place of business in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. (Id. at ¶ 3; St. Pierre Decl. ¶ 8, Pl.'s Resp. Ex. A.) On or about December 27, 2012, Plaintiff merged with its affiliate Machine Support USA Inc. ("Machine Support"). SKF was the surviving entity. (Compl.)
Defendants are former employees of Machine Support and SKF.
Sometime prior to terminating their employment with Plaintiff, Defendants had signed Employee Confidentiality and Non-competition Agreements ("Agreements"). (Id. at ¶ 18 & Exs. A, B, C, D.) The Agreements, which apply post termination, contain a choice of law provision stating that they are governed by "the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without reference to the choice of law provisions of Illinois or any other state." (Id. at ¶ 11 & Exs. A, B, C, D.) The Agreements further state that "[a]ny disputes arising under this Agreement shall be tried in the courts sitting within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Employee hereby consents and submits his or her person to the jurisdiction of any such court for any such purpose." (Id.) In addition, the Agreements stipulate that "([b]y executing this Agreement, Employee expressly represents that he or she had read it, understands its terms and has had the opportunity (whether exercised or not) to consult with legal counsel regarding it.") (Id. at ¶ 14 & Exs. A, B, C, D.)
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs Complaint should be dismissed because this Court lacks personal jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2). (Defs.' Mot. 10.) Defendants' argument is based on the assertion that the forum selection clause — "the sole potential basis for specific jurisdiction" — in this case is invalid. (Id.) More specifically, Defendants argue that Louisiana law, which generally prohibits choice of law, forum selection, non-competition, and non-solicitation clauses, should govern this action. (Id. at 12.) In the alternative, Defendants argue that the forum selection clause is not enforceable under Pennsylvania law. (Id. at 14-15.)
Plaintiff counters that the choice of law provision contained within the Agreements is valid and that under Pennsylvania law the forum selection clause should be upheld. (Pl.'s Resp. 8.) We address the choice of law question first since it is a primary basis upon which the parties' arguments are based.
It is well established that "[a] federal court exercising diversity jurisdiction must apply the choice of law rules of the forum state." Kruzits v. Okuma Mach. Tool, Inc., 40 F.3d 52, 55 (3d Cir. 1994) (citing Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Elec. Mfg. Co., 313 U.S. 487, 497, 61 S.Ct. 1020, 85 L.Ed. 1477 (1941)). In Pennsylvania, courts will "generally honor the intent of the contracting parties and enforce choice of law provisions in contracts executed by them." Id. More specifically, Pennsylvania has adopted Section 187 of the Restatement, (Second) of Conflict of Laws, which provides that the law of the chosen state will be applied:
Id. (citing Schifano v. Schifano, 324 Pa.Super. 281, 471 A.2d 839, 843 n. 5 (1984)); Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 187 (1971).
Defendants assert that we should apply Louisiana law because Pennsylvania does not have a substantial relationship to the parties or the transaction. (Defs.' Mot. 11.) We disagree. It is well settled that when a corporation has a principal place of business within a state, that state bears a substantial relationship to the parties. Kruzits, 40 F.3d at 56; see also Perma-Liner Indus. Inc. v. U.S. Sewer & Drain, Inc., 630 F.Supp.2d 516, 522 (E.D.Pa.2008) (finding that the contractually chosen state had a substantial relationship to the parties since it was the location where the plaintiff maintained its principal place of business); Intermetro Indus. Corp. v. Kent, No. 07-0075, 2007 WL 518345, at *2 (E.D.Pa. Feb. 12, 2007) ("Pennsylvania does have a substantial relationship to this matter as it is where [the plaintiff] maintains its principal place of business ...."). In the instant case, Plaintiff maintains a principal place of business in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Therefore, we find that Pennsylvania bears a substantial relationship to the parties.
Section 187(2) (b) of the Restatement requires a two part inquiry. First, we must determine whether Louisiana has a materially greater interest in this case than Pennsylvania. Coface Collections N. Am. v. Newton, 430 Fed.Appx. 162, 167 (3d Cir.2011). If we determine that Louisiana has a materially greater interest, then we must decide whether application of Pennsylvania law would be contrary to a fundamental public policy of that state. Id.
Courts have differing views as to what is necessary to demonstrate a "materially greater interest." The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit have held that the state in which an individual lives and works has a materially greater interest in the determination of an issue than the state in which a corporate litigant conducts business. Barnes Grp., Inc. v. C & C Prods., Inc., 716 F.2d 1023, 1030 (4th Cir. 1983) (striking down a choice of law clause and finding that a state's interest in protecting its resident workers is greater than any generalized interest that a contractually chosen state has in applying its law to protect the interstate contracts of its domiciliary); DCS Sanitation Mgmt., Inc. v. Castillo, 435 F.3d 892, 896 (8th Cir.2006) (striking down a choice of law clause where the only connection to the chosen state was the plaintiff's headquarters and principal place of business).
Similarly, the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit have held that a party's incorporation within a state, standing alone, is an insufficient basis upon which to uphold a choice of law clause. For example, in Curtis 1000, Inc. v. Suess, the defendant was incorporated in the state of Delaware and headquartered in Georgia. 24 F.3d 941, 948-49 (7th Cir. 1994). The Seventh Circuit struck down the choice of law clause designating Delaware law because the defendant had no other connections to that state. Id. However, in dicta, the Court noted that a clause designating Georgia law would likely have been upheld since "Georgia has as much interest in regulating the out of state operations of `its firm' as [the plaintiff's state] does in protecting its citizens ...." Id. at 949; see, e.g., King v. PA Consulting Grp., Inc., 485 F.3d 577, 585-86 (10th Cir. 2007) (finding that the interest of the defendant's state of incorporation was "at most tangential" since the defendant was not even headquartered in that state).
Conversely, the Third Circuit has upheld choice of law provisions applying the law of the state in which a party is incorporated
Courts in the Third Circuit have also noted that a company's connection to a state is greater when it is headquartered there. In Synthes, Inc. v. Emerge Med., Inc., the plaintiff, a Pennsylvania corporation with employees located in multiple states, sought enforcement of a choice of law provision applying Pennsylvania law. No. 11-1566, 2012 WL 4205476, at *21 (E.D.Pa. Sept. 19, 2012). The defendant, a Colorado citizen employed by a Colorado business, argued for the application of Colorado law. Id. at *19, *21. The court upheld the choice of law provision and distinguished the Fourth Circuit's holding in King by noting that Pennsylvania served as the center of the plaintiff's corporate work. Id. at *21. Therefore, the plaintiff's interest in seeking to deal uniformly with its employees was furthered by the uniform application of Pennsylvania law. Id. at *21 n. 18; see also Select Med. Corp. v. Hardaway, No. 05-3341, 2006 WL 859741, at *2-3 (E.D.Pa. Mar. 24, 2006) (upholding a corporate litigant's choice of law and holding that "[r]egardless of [a state's] interest in the transaction of its citizens, Pennsylvania corporations have an interest in uniformity in dealings with their locations throughout the country.").
Similarly, in Britton v. Whittmanhart, Inc., a Delaware corporation headquartered in Illinois sought enforcement of a choice of law provision designating Illinois law. No. 09-1593, 2009 WL 2487410, at *1 (E.D.Pa. Aug. 13, 2009). The plaintiff, a Pennsylvania citizen, argued that Pennsylvania law should apply because it was the state in which the contract was executed, signed, and carried out. Id. at *1-2. The court, applying Pennsylvania's choice of law, rejected this argument and held that because the defendant conducted business in multiple states, it was reasonable to include a "`choice of law provision in its financial agreements to ensure that those agreements [were] governed by the laws of its principal place of business.'" Id. (quoting Kruzits, 40 F.3d at 56). Moreover, because the defendants "headquarters, payroll department, primary decision making and location of corporate officers and
Defendants have failed to establish that Louisiana's interest in this case is materially greater than Pennsylvania's. It is not enough to assert that Louisiana has a greater interest simply because application of Pennsylvania law runs contrary to a fundamental Louisiana policy. Moreover, the fact that Defendants may live in Louisiana, work in Louisiana, or signed their Agreements in Louisiana does not necessarily establish that Louisiana has a materially greater interest than Pennsylvania. In focusing upon Louisiana's prohibition on choice of law, forum selection, non-competition, and non-solicitation agreements, Defendants have failed to address the interest that Pennsylvania has in this case.
Pennsylvania has an interest in enforcing a voluntarily negotiated contract that explicitly designates the application of Pennsylvania law. This interest stems, at least in part, from the recognition that uniformity of contract serves a strong public policy. See Hopkins v. GNC Franchising, Inc., No. 05-1510, 2006 WL 2266253, at *4 (E.D.Pa. Jan. 13, 2006); see also Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 187 cmt. e (1971) ("Prime objectives of contract law are to protect the justified expectations of the parties and to make it possible for them to foretell with accuracy what will be their rights and liabilities under the contract.") Equally apparent is the fact that Pennsylvania has an interest in protecting companies that conduct business within its borders. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has recognized that non-competition agreements "have developed into important business tools to allow employers to prevent their employees and agents from learning trade secrets, befriending their customers and then moving into competition with them." Victaulic Co. v. Tieman, 499 F.3d 227, 237 (3d Cir.2007) (quoting Hess v. Gebhard & Co. Inc., 570 Pa. 148, 808 A.2d 912, 918 (2002)). Therefore, although non-competition agreements are generally disfavored, courts have recognized that the public has an interest in the enforcement of agreements that are "freely entered into by the parties." Coventry First, LLC v. Ingrassia, No. 05-2802, 2005 WL 1625042, at *12 (E.D.Pa. July 11, 2005).
We cannot say that Louisiana's interest in this case is materially greater than Pennsylvania's. This is not a case where both parties are citizens of Louisiana. Plaintiff is a national company with thousands of employees located in multiple states. Moreover, the choice of law clause at issue here designates the law of the state in which Plaintiff maintains a principle place of business. Indeed, Plaintiffs Lansdale, Pennsylvania office provides Machine Support with payroll services, human resources services, and legal services to its many employees. We are satisfied that Louisiana does not have a materially greater interest in this case than does Pennsylvania.
Having determined that Pennsylvania law governs this case, it is necessary to
Pennsylvania's long-arm statute allows a court to exercise jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant "to the fullest extent allowed under the Constitution of the United States and may be based upon the most minimum contact with this Commonwealth allowed under the Constitution of the United States." 42 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5322(b); see also Time Share Vacation Club v. Atl. Resorts, Ltd., 735 F.2d 61, 63 (3d Cir.1984). The due process clause of the United States Constitution requires a non-resident to have certain "minimum contacts" with the forum state in order for a court in that forum to properly exercise personal jurisdiction. Int'l Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 316, 66 S.Ct. 154, 90 L.Ed. 95 (1945).
Personal jurisdiction may be exercised under the theory of general jurisdiction or under the theory of specific jurisdiction. General jurisdiction may be exercised over a non-resident defendant when the defendant has "continuous and systematic" contacts with the forum state. Id. at 317, 66 S.Ct. 154; see also Reliance Steel Prods. Co. v. Watson, Ess, Marshall & Enggas, 675 F.2d 587, 588 (3d Cir.1982) ("If the claim pursued arises from non-forum related activity, the plaintiff must demonstrate that in other respects the defendant has maintained `continuous and substantial' forum affiliations."). This Court may assert general jurisdiction over a person when a defendant "is generally present in Pennsylvania, has consented to suit there, or systematically or continuously conducts business in that state ..." Fields v. Ramada Inn, Inc. 816 F.Supp. 1033, 1036 (E.D.Pa.1993).
Specific jurisdiction may be exercised over a non-resident defendant when the "claim is related to or arises out of the defendant's contacts with the forum." IMO Indus., Inc. v. Kiekert AG, 155 F.3d 254, 259 (3d Cir. 1998) (citing Helicopteros Nacionales de Colombia, S.A. v. Hall, 466 U.S. 408, 414 n. 8, 104 S.Ct. 1868, 80 L.Ed.2d 404 (1984)). For specific jurisdiction, the defendant must have minimum contacts with the forum state "such that the maintenance of the suit does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice." Int'l Shoe Co., 326 U.S. at 316, 66 S.Ct. 154. The plaintiff must show that: (1) there is a "substantial connection" between the defendant and the forum state, Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 475, 105 S.Ct. 2174, 85 L.Ed.2d 528 (1985);
Defendants assert that this Court lacks general jurisdiction because Plaintiffs Complaint fails to plead "continuous or systematic" contacts between Defendants and Pennsylvania. (Defs.' Mot. 17.) Further, Defendants argue that general jurisdiction is lacking because none of the Defendants "reside in Pennsylvania; work in Pennsylvania; have any bank accounts in Pennsylvania; own any property in Pennsylvania; or could be served with process in Pennsylvania." (Id.) Plaintiff counters that Defendants' focus on minimum contacts is misplaced given the fact that Defendants signed a valid forum selection clause. (Pl.'s Resp. 11-12.)
We have previously recognized that a defendant may consent to personal jurisdiction and venue through the execution of a valid forum selection clause. PNC Bank, Nat. Ass'n. v. Kanaan, No. 11-7770, 2012 WL 1835534, at *7 (E.D.Pa. May 21, 2012) (citing Provident Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Bickerstaff, 818 F.Supp. 116, 120 (E.D.Pa.1993)). In Kanaan, we noted that in order to establish personal jurisdiction, the plaintiff must generally "show that the defendant has sufficient minimum contacts with the forum state such that the assertion of personal jurisdiction over him comports with the notions of fair play and substantial justice ...." Id. (citations omitted). This analysis is inappropriate however, when the parties have entered into an agreement containing a forum selection clause. Id. In those cases, the question of whether a party has consented to in personam jurisdiction is dependent upon the validity and effect of the forum selection clause. Id.
Forum selection clauses are "prima facie valid" and should be enforced unless shown to be "unreasonable' under the circumstances." M/S Bremen, 407 U.S. at 9-10, 92 S.Ct. 1907; Foster v. Chesapeake Ins. Co., 933 F.2d 1207, 1219 (3d Cir.1991). A forum selection clause will be enforced:
Coastal Steel Corp. v. Tilghman Wheelabrator Ltd., 709 F.2d 190, 202 (3d Cir.1983) (citing M/S Bremen, 407 U.S. at 15, 16, 18, 92 S.Ct. 1907). The party opposing a forum selection clause bears the heavy burden of proving that the clause should not be enforced. Bickerstaff, 818 F.Supp. at 118. This burden requires more than a showing of inconvenience or additional expense. Id.; see also Cedarbrook Assocs. v. Equitec Sav. Bank, 678 F.Supp. 107, 108 (E.D.Pa.1987) (citations omitted).
Defendants do not assert that the forum selection clause was the result of fraud. Rather, Defendants argue that it was the result of overreaching because its sole purpose was the avoidance of unfavorable Louisiana law. (Defs.' Mot. 14-15.) Defendants contend that Plaintiff was aware of Louisiana's prohibition on forum selection, non-competition, and non-solicitation agreements and chose Pennsylvania law in an effort to circumvent this ban. (Id. at 15.) Defendants further assert that the Agreements were not freely negotiated because Defendants did not have an opportunity to consult with legal counsel prior to signing them. Id. Defendants' arguments are unpersuasive.
Defendants have failed to point to any evidence supporting their allegation that the forum selection clause was included in order to defeat unfavorable Louisiana law. Plaintiff, on the other hand, has offered a compelling reason for choosing Pennsylvania law. As discussed above, Plaintiff maintains a principal place of business in Pennsylvania. It is from this location that Plaintiff provides support to its employees who are located throughout the country. It is reasonable to conclude that Plaintiff selected Pennsylvania law in order to ensure the uniform treatment of its employees. Furthermore, by signing the Agreements, Defendants acknowledged that they knew that they "had the opportunity (whether exercised or not) to consult with legal counsel...." (Compl. ¶ 14 & Exs. A, B, C, D.) The failure of Defendants to recognize the existence of a forum selection clause does not give rise to an inference of fraud or overreaching. Campanini v. Studsvik, Inc., No. 08-5910, 2009 WL 926975, at *6 (E.D.Pa. Apr. 6, 2009); see e.g. Perry v. H & R Block E. Enters., Inc., No. 04-6108, 2007 WL 954129, at *11 (E.D.Pa. Mar. 27, 2007) (rejecting the defendant's argument that non-competition agreement was invalid because defendant did not read it) (citing Standard Venetian Blind Co. v. Am. Empire Ins. Co., 503 Pa. 300, 469 A.2d 563, 566 (1983)). Neither does the fact that Defendants failed to seek legal counsel before signing the Agreements. Campanini, 2009 WL 926975, at *6.
Defendants argue that enforcement of the forum selection clause would "greatly inconvenience defendants and third party witnesses in this case." (Defs.' Mot. 14.) Defendants assert that having to travel from Louisiana and/or Alabama to Pennsylvania would result in a personal and financial hardship. Id. Defendants also assert that litigation in Pennsylvania would require the transportation of third party witnesses and documentation, which are "believed to be located in Louisiana." Id.
Defendants' argument regarding financial hardship does not establish that the forum selection clause is unreasonable or that Defendants will be deprived of their day in court. Campanini, 2009 WL 926975, at *6 ("Although litigating in Tennessee may increase costs, [plaintiff] is far from deprived of his day in court."). Defendants
As we observed in Kanaan, the exercise of personal jurisdiction over a defendant, whether general or specific, must comport with "traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice," such that the parties can "reasonably anticipate being haled into court [in this forum]." 2012 WL 1835534, at *8 (citing Integral Nuclear Assocs., LLC v. Nair, No. 05-382, 2005 WL 2012036, at *4 (E.D.Pa. Aug. 19, 2005) (citing World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson, 444 U.S. 286, 297, 100 S.Ct. 559, 62 L.Ed.2d 490 (1980))). Pennsylvania law explicitly recognizes that general jurisdiction may be asserted when a defendant "has consented to suit" in Pennsylvania. 42 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5301(a)(1)(iii). Defendants have done so here by executing, and thereby agreeing to the terms of, the Agreements, which contain a valid and enforceable forum selection clause. By agreeing to be subject to this Court's jurisdiction, Defendants were on notice and could "reasonably anticipate being haled into court" in Pennsylvania. Defendants have not met their burden in establishing that the forum selection clause should not be enforced. Accordingly, we have personal jurisdiction over Defendants.
Defendants ask this Court to dismiss this action for improper venue, and/or transfer this action to the Eastern District of Louisiana for the convenience of the parties and witnesses. (Defs.' Mot. 19.)
Rule 12(b)(3) allows a party to dismiss an action for improper venue. Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(3). The movant bears the burden of establishing improper venue. Myers v. Am. Dental Ass'n., 695 F.2d 716, 724 (3d Cir.1982). The federal venue statute states, in relevant part, that:
28 U.S.C. § 1391(b). This venue statute does not require that a court determine the "best" forum, Cottman Transmission Sys., Inc. v. Martino, 36 F.3d 291, 294 (3d Cir.1994) (citation omitted), or "the forum with the most substantial events," Superior Precast, Inc. v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Am., 71 F.Supp.2d 438, 444 (E.D.Pa.1999). Indeed, venue may be proper in more than one district. Id.
Although venue may be proper in Louisiana as Defendants suggest, it is clear that venue is also proper in this District in light of the forum selection clause and our determination that Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction here. Quinn v. Worldwide Comm'ns, Inc., No. 10-1512, 2011 WL 673748, at *5 (E.D.Pa. Feb. 16, 2011) ("Although venue may be proper in ... Washington or Colorado as Defendants suggest, it is clear that venue is proper in this District where this Court has determined that Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction. Therefore, Plaintiff's Complaint will not be dismissed on the basis of improper venue."); Bickerstaff, 818 F.Supp. at 119 ("Where, however, a forum selection clause exists, its effect on the issue of the appropriateness of venue is essentially identical to its effect on the question of jurisdiction.") (citations omitted). Therefore, we will not dismiss this action on the basis of improper venue.
Even though venue is proper in this District, this action may nevertheless be transferred to another venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a), which provides that "[f]or the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a district court may transfer any civil action to any other district or division where it might have been brought." 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a); Lempke v. Gen. Elec., Co., Nos. 10-5380, 10-5426, 2011 WL 3739499, at *2 (E.D.Pa. Aug. 25, 2011) (citing Jumara v. State Farm Ins. Co., 55 F.3d 873, 878 (3d Cir.1995) (stating that "Section 1404(a) provides for the transfer of a case where both the original and the requested venue are proper")). An action may be transferred to another district if (1) venue is proper in the transferee district, and (2) the transferee district can exercise personal jurisdiction over the defendants. Shutte
The Third Circuit has compiled a list of factors that bear on motions to transfer venue. These factors fall into two categories: private interests and public interests. Jumara, 55 F.3d at 879. Private interests include: (1) both the plaintiff's and defendant's forum preferences; (2) whether the claim arose elsewhere; (3) the convenience of the parties "as indicated by their relative physical and financial condition"; (4) the convenience of the witnesses, but only to the extent that it bears on their availability for trial; and (5) the location of books and records. Id. (citations omitted). Public interests include:
Id. at 879-80 (citations omitted). Not all factors will apply in a given case, and the court may address other considerations if pertinent. The statute demands an "individualized, case-by-case consideration of convenience and fairness." Van Dusen v. Barrack, 376 U.S. 612, 622, 84 S.Ct. 805, 11 L.Ed.2d 945 (1964).
The United States Supreme Court recently clarified that the analysis for considering a section 1404(a) motion differs "when the parties' contract contains a valid forum-selection clause, which `represents the parties' agreement as to the most proper forum.'" Atl. Marine Constr. Co., Inc. v. U.S. Dist. Ct. W. Dist. of Tex., ___ U.S. ___, 134 S.Ct. 568, 581, 187 L.Ed.2d 487 (2013) (quoting Stewart Org., Inc. v. Ricoh Corp., 487 U.S. 22, 31, 108 S.Ct. 2239, 101 L.Ed.2d 22 (1988)). The Court noted that:
Id. at 582 (citations and internal quotations omitted). Here, Paragraph 11 of the Agreements states that "[a]ny disputes arising under this Agreement shall be tried in the courts sitting within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Employee
Defendants' Motion fails to address any of the public interest factors. Our review of the record fails to reveal any reason why it would be more difficult to enforce a judgment in this case in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania than it would be if the case were decided in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Furthermore, the trial judge's familiarity with the applicable state law weighs in favor of Plaintiff, since the Agreements include a choice of law provision applying Pennsylvania law. These factors favor denial of Defendants' motion to transfer venue. See De Lage Landen Fin. Servs., Inc., 2008 WL 3889996, at *8 (finding public factors to weigh against transfer since defendants did not show why it would be more difficult to enforce the judgment in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania than in the Eastern District of Missouri and since the contract included a choice of law provision applying Pennsylvania law). As discussed above, Defendants have made no showing that the forum selection clause was unreasonable or unjust, was obtained by fraud or overreaching, or otherwise violated Pennsylvania public policy. Accordingly, we will deny Defendants' Motion to transfer venue to the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) provides that a complaint can be dismissed for "failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). When evaluating a Rule 12(b)(6) motion "courts [must] accept all factual allegations as true, construe the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, and determine whether, under any reasonable reading of the complaint, the plaintiff may be entitled to relief." Fowler v. UPMC Shadyside, 578 F.3d 203, 210 (3d Cir.2009) (quoting Phillips v. Cnty. of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 233 (3d Cir.2008)).
In order to survive a motion to dismiss "a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, `to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'" Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007)). "A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Id. at 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937 (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556, 127 S.Ct. 1955). To satisfy the plausibility standard, a plaintiff's allegations must show that defendant's liability is more than "a sheer possibility." Id. "Where a complaint pleads facts that are `merely consistent with' a defendant's liability, it `stops short of the line between possibility and plausibility of `entitlement to relief.''" Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 557, 127 S.Ct. 1955). "The defendant bears the burden of showing that no claim has been presented." Hedges v. U.S., 404 F.3d 744, 750 (3d Cir.2005).
Defendants argue that Counts One, Two, and Three should be dismissed because the noncompetition and non-solicitation provisions of the Agreements are unenforceable under Pennsylvania law.
In order for a non-competition agreement to be enforced under Pennsylvania law it must "be supported by adequate consideration." Insulation Corp. of Am. v. Brobston, 446 Pa.Super. 520, 667 A.2d 729, 733 (1995). "When the restrictive covenant is contained in the initial contract of employment, consideration for the restrictive covenant is the job itself." Maint. Specialties, Inc. v. Gottus, 455 Pa. 327, 314 A.2d 279, 282-83 (1974). However, where a restrictive covenant is entered into subsequent to the commencement of employment, it must be supported by new consideration. Brobston, 667 A.2d at 733.
Defendants assert that they signed the Agreements after the commencement of their employment and did not receive any new consideration, change in benefits, or change in employment status. (Declarations, Defs.' Mot. Exs. A, B, C.) In making this argument, Defendants rely upon declarations attached to their Motion. However, we are not at a stage in the proceedings where such proofs may be considered. See Victaulic, 499 F.3d at 236. Since these documents are outside the pleadings,
Defendants contend that the Agreements are unreasonable because Plaintiff makes no allegation that Defendants received special skills or training from Plaintiff during their employment. (Defs.' Mot. 26.) Defendants also assert that the noncompetition and/or nonsolicitation provisions in the Agreement are unrelated to the protection of confidential or proprietary information because there are separate provisions in the Agreements directly addressing the disclosure of such information. (Id.) Finally, Defendants contend that the noncompetition and non-solicitation clauses are not necessary to protect Plaintiffs good will because Plaintiff is a large company, and "any good will that [Plaintiff] may have with its shipping and/or ship building customers would be de minimims." (Id. at 26-27.) We are not convinced.
Plaintiff's Complaint alleges that its business operates on intellectual property and trade secrets, "including but not limited to methods of doing business; proprietary products and equipment; valuation methods; computer programs and data bases; business ideas; billing procedures; pricing and commission data; customer lists; and any other customer data." (Compl. ¶ 29.) Among other things, Plaintiff uses these trade secrets to "retain and service customers, secure new customers... and to establish a competitive edge." (Id. at ¶ 32.) The Complaint also states that Defendants were required to sign the Agreements in order to protect the confidentiality of such information. (Id. at 31.)
Contrary to Defendants' argument, it is not necessary for an employee to receive specialized training or skills in order for a restrictive covenant to be enforced. Girard Inv. Co. v. Bello, 456 Pa. 220, 318 A.2d 718, 722 (1974) (quoting Hayes v. Altman, 424 Pa. 23, 225 A.2d 670, 672 (1967)). Rather, the enforceability of a restrictive covenant is determined by whether the covenant is "reasonably necessary for the protection of the employer's protectable business interests." Hess, 808 A.2d at 920. Protectable interests include, "trade secrets, confidential information, good will, and unique or extraordinary skills." Id. In fact, courts have extended protection to exactly the type of information listed in Plaintiff's Complaint. BIEC Inter., Inc. v. Global Steel Servs., Ltd., 791 F.Supp. 489 (E.D.Pa.1992) (noting that in addition to customer lists, protection has been extended to cost and pricing information of an employer's product or services, business plans, marketing strategies, and financial projections, and the terms of specific customer accounts). Such information qualifies as protected trade secrets where the degree of secrecy is "such that it would be difficult for others to obtain the information without using improper means." Nat. Risk Mgmt., Inc. v. Bramwell, 819 F.Supp. 417 (E.D.Pa.1993).
Plaintiff's Complaint asserts that it relies upon its trade secrets to "retain and service customers, secure new customers ... and establish a competitive edge." (Compl. ¶ 32.) The Complaint further asserts that Defendants, who were required to sign non-competition agreements in order to protect Plaintiff's trade secrets, are using this information to directly
Defendants assert that the Agreements are "unenforceable on their face" because they contain no geographic limitation. (Defs.' Mot. 26.) We disagree. In order to be enforceable, a covenant not to compete must be reasonably limited in geographic extent. Hess, 808 A.2d at 917. The party challenging the geographic restriction bears the burden of demonstrating unreasonableness. Nat. Bus. Servs., Inc. v. Wright, 2 F.Supp.2d 701, 708 (E.D.Pa.1998) (citing John G. Bryant Co. v. Sling Testing & Repair, Inc., 471 Pa. 1, 369 A.2d 1164, 1169 (1977)). This burden cannot be met simply by asserting that the Agreements are unenforceable for lack of a geographic term. See Victaulic, 499 F.3d at 237 (noting that a "per se rule against broad geographic restrictions would seem hopelessly antiquated"). Both Pennsylvania courts, and federal courts applying Pennsylvania law, have upheld broad geographic restrictions were they were consistent with the scope of the employee's duties. Id. (citing cases in which broad geographic restrictions were reasonable so long as they were "roughly consonant with the scope of the employee's duties"). Courts also uphold agreements lacking any geographic limits where "the employee's duties and customers were equally broad." PharMethod, Inc. v. Caserta, 382 Fed.Appx. 214, 220 (3d Cir.2010) (citing Quaker Chem. Corp. v. Varga, 509 F.Supp.2d 469, 476 (E.D.Pa.2007)). Moreover, even where an agreement has been found to be overbroad, it is within the power of the court to reform the agreement in order to make it reasonable. Bell Fuel Corp. v. Cattolico, 544 A.2d 450, 457 (1988) ("[A] court of equity may not only remove an offensive term, but may supply a new, limiting term and enforce the covenant as so modified.").
It is not possible, based solely upon the pleadings, to determine whether the geographic scope in this case is reasonable. Plaintiff's Complaint does not state, with any specificity, the states in which it conducts business, nor does it provide any indication as to the geographic scope of the Defendants' duties.
For the foregoing reasons, the Motion to Dismiss of Defendants Pieter Johannis Leendert Okkerse, Wayne Blanchard, Frank Powers, and Bobby Hampton will be denied.
An appropriate Order follows.
42 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. §§ 5322(a)(1)(i)-(v).
Here, the Agreements state that "[a]ny disputes arising under this Agreement shall be tried in the courts sitting within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ...." (Comp. ¶ 11 & Exs. A, B, C, D.) This language is sufficiently broad to embrace Plaintiff's tort claims in Counts II and III. Compare CentiMark, 2013 WL 169697, at *5 (applying choice of law clause to tort claims where it applied to actions ""relating to" or "arising out of the work to be performed" and not merely that the "agreement shall be governed by the laws of Pennsylvania.""), and PTI Servs., Inc. v. Quotron Sys., Inc., No. 94-2068, 1995 WL 241411, at *8 (E.D.Pa. Apr. 19, 1995) (applying choice of law clause to tort claims where language stated that the parties "consent and submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of New York ... with respect to the adjudication of any matter arising hereunder"), with Black Box Corp. v. Markham, 127 Fed.Appx. 22, 25 (3d Cir.2005) (finding that where agreement stated that it would be "governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance, with the law of Pennsylvania" the choice of law clause was narrowly tailored to encompass only the underlying agreement).
