International Association of MacHinists & Aerospace Workers v. Franklin W. Nix

GEWIN, Circuit Judge:

This appeal involves a crucial issue of federalism: under what circumstances

may a federal court enjoin a proceeding in a state court? Our analysis turns on the applicability to the suit before us of the pivotal law in this area, the Anti-Injunction Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2283:

A court of the United States may not grant an injunction to stay proceedings in a State court except as expressly authorized by Act of Congress, or where necessary in aid of its jurisdiction, or to protect or effectuate its judgments.

This court has reviewed various aspects of the dispute between Nix and…