- The Rules allow plaintiffs to combine any and all claims against a single defendant.
- Just because joinder is proper under Rules 18 or 20, doesn’t mean that joinder isn't going to raise problems with subject matter and (to a lesser extent) personal jurisdiction.
- For example, just because can join, may not be able to invoke supplemental jurisdiction unless everything arose from single case or controversy/transactions...
- In other words, FRCP joinder rarely the problem:
- Usually subject matter, supplemental, personal or even venue...
- See also Rule 13 and its requirement of "compulsory counterclaims" (for example, McDonalds v. Martino, in preclusion)
- Adding a counterclaim, not plaintiff bringing more than one claim.
Rules 18 and 20: Joinder
Rule 18 and Rule 20
