United States Federal Circuit

In a dispute between two clergymen, each believing himself to be the proper leader of The Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South Carolina, alleging Lanham Act violations and seeking declaratory and nondeclaratory relief, the district court's dismissal order is vacated where Colorado River Water Conservation District v. US, 424 U.S. 800 (1976), which permits a federal court to abstain only in "exceptional" circumstances, properly governs the abstention decision in this action.

Appellate Information

• Decided 04/17/2015
• Published 04/17/2015

Judges

• Motz

Court

• United States Federal Circuit

Counsel