Guillot v. Potlatch Corp.

204 F. App'x 642

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

Footnotes

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Washington’s choice-of-law rules require us to determine whether there is an actual conflict between the laws of the two jurisdictions and, if so, which jurisdiction has the most significant contacts with the case. Burnside v. Simpson Paper Co., 123 Wash.2d 93, 864 P.2d 937, 940-41 (1994). There is an actual conflict here, because Idaho, unlike Washington, requires that a plaintiff lodge a complaint with the state human rights commission before filing an employment discrimination suit. Compare Idaho Code Ann. § 67-5908(2), with Wash. Rev.Code §§ 49.60.020, 49.60.230. Idaho has the more significant contacts with this case: Plaintiff is domiciled in Idaho and most of the actions giving rise to the complaint took place there. Assuming that the relevant portion of the state appeals court opinion in Burnside v. Simpson Paper Co., 66 Wash.App. 510, 832 P.2d 537 (1992), remains good law, it does not require a contrary conclusion, because defendant in Burnside was incorporated in Washington, whereas defendant here is incorporated in Delaware. Id. at 544. Washington’s interest in Burnside was obviously greater than it is here.

AFFIRMED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.