Opinion ID: 2443365
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Appellant's Discovery Requests

Text: Appellant repeatedly requested discovery that might allow him to demonstrate that District of Columbia courts can exercise personal jurisdiction over appellee, and he appears to allege on appeal that the trial judge erred by not ordering such discovery. While this court has permitted reasonable discovery at the request of pro se plaintiffs whose claims face dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction, at a minimum the plaintiff must allege some facts that would justify the exercise of jurisdiction. See Wilson v. Wilson, 785 A.2d 647, 650 (D.C.2001) (granting relief where plaintiff's allegations demonstrate[d] a sufficient nexus between [the defendant] and the District of Columbia to justify discovery on whether personal jurisdiction over [the defendant] would comport with basic fairness). Here, other than saying he is a D.C. resident, appellant has not alleged a necessary fact  injury suffered in the District of Columbia  that is a prerequisite for the exercise of personal jurisdiction over appellee. Even though he asked for discovery, he did not in fact file interrogatories or request documents. Moreover, it is difficult to conceive why appellant would need discovery from appellee in order to put forth a prima facie case that appellant suffered injury in the District. We therefore find that the trial judge's failure to order discovery was not an abuse of discretion. See, e.g., Clampitt v. Am. Univ., 957 A.2d 23, 28 (D.C.2008).