Opinion ID: 2402029
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Anticipation of Litigation in Maine

Text: [¶ 16] To reasonably anticipate litigation in a particular jurisdiction, one must purposefully avail oneself of the privilege of conducting activities within the jurisdiction and benefit from the protection of its laws. Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 474-75, 105 S.Ct. 2174, 85 L.Ed.2d 528 (1985). [¶ 17] Dworman's contacts with the State of Maine were not merely fortuitous or incidental. She purposefully availed herself of the benefits and protections of Maine laws. Dworman benefited from state and municipal public services by purchasing residential property here, by granting a mortgage on the property, and by obtaining building and occupancy permits for it. She used her Maine real estate to support applications for loans, and Commerce Bank asserts that she attempted to conceal assets by attempting to encumber her Maine property with a mortgage to an offshore entity in the British Virgin Islands. Service of the suit was accomplished by delivery of the summons and complaint to Dworman's husband at the Ogunquit property in December 2003. Dworman also demonstrated that she anticipated litigation in Maine when she admitted that she was aware that her Ogunquit property could at some point be subject to an execution if a judgment is obtained against her in Massachusetts. The second condition for personal jurisdiction to attach is met.