Jinshu John Zhang v. Dentons U.S. LLP

I. INTRODUCTION

On May 23, 2021, Jinshu John Zhang (“Plaintiff”) sued the law firm Dentons U.S. LLP, Michael T. McNamara, and Reich J. Edward (collectively, “Defendants”) in Los Angeles Superior Court after they terminated his employment with Dentons. Plaintiff's complaint alleged claims for wrongful termination, racial discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and declaratory relief. Plaintiff amended his complaint three days later, (“FAC”), bringing the same claims. On June 8, Defendants removed the case to this Court seeking to invoke federal jurisdiction through the New York Convention and Chapter 2 of the Federal Arbitration Act. Upon review of Defendants’ Notice of Removal, the Court REMANDS the case to state court. Il. STATEMENT OF FACTS This case arises from an employment dispute. Dentons is one of the world’s largest law firms, and Plaintiff was a partner in Dentons’s Los Angeles office until his recent firing. As a partner, Plaintiff signed a partnership agreement with Dentons (the “Agreement”). The Agreement outlined procedures for resolving disputes between Dentons and its partners. Under its terms, “all disputes relating to . . . this…