Latin v. Perot Systems Corp.
Latin v. Perot Systems Corp.
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Hayes Latin (Latin) appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Perot Systems Corporation and Unum Life Insurance Company of America (Unum) on Latin’s ERISA claim. The district court applied the doctrine of judicial estoppel to bar Latin’s claim because Latin failed to include the ERISA claim in his bankruptcy petition.
“Judicial estoppel is an equitable doctrine that precludes a party from gaining an advantage by asserting one position, and then later seeking an advantage by taking a clearly inconsistent position.” Hamilton v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 270 F.3d 778, 782 (9th Cir. 2001) (citations omitted). On the facts of this case, the district court did not abuse its discretion in applying judicial estoppel because the equitable factors listed in Hamilton weigh in favor of applying judicial estoppel. See id. at 782-83. First, Latin’s later position— that he has a claim against Unum — is clearly inconsistent with the position asserted in his bankruptcy petition — that he had no outstanding claims. See id. at 784. Second, the bankruptcy court accepted Latin’s inconsistent position when it granted Latin a total discharge of his debts in reliance on the bankruptcy petition Latin filed. See id. Third, Latin would derive an unfair advantage if not estopped because he would have received a discharge of debts without giving his creditors the opportunity to challenge the effect of his claim against Unum. See id. at 785.
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.