United States Sixth Circuit

The doctrine of federal sovereign immunity deprives a state court of jurisdiction to approve a transfer of structured-settlement payment rights where the U.S. nominally owns, but has no beneficial interest in, the annuity funding the payments.

Appellate Information

• Decided 06/05/2007
• Published 06/05/2007

Judges

• Before:  COOK and McKEAGUE, Circuit Judges;  and EDGAR, District Judge.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  Robert B. Weathersby, Andrews Kurth, Dallas, Texas, for Appellant.  William G. Cole, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Appellee.   ON BRIEF:  Robert B. Weathersby, Suzanne B. Campbell, Andrews Kurth, Dallas, Texas, Frank P. Doheny, Jr., Dinsmore & Shohl, Louisville, Kentucky, for Appellant.  William G. Cole, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Appellee.  Nathaniel R. Jones, Sharon J. Zealey, Blank Rome, Cincinnati, Ohio, for Amicus Curiae.