Opinion ID: 585745
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dismissal of Claims Against Officers

Text: 9 Where damages are sought from a federal official in his individual capacity, personal service, and not service at the official's place of employment is required to obtain personal jurisdiction. Daley-Murphy v. Winston, 837 F.2d 348, 355 (9th Cir.1987). 10 Here, it is undisputed that the process for service on the officers was delivered to Peter Chin, District Chief of Special Procedures with the IRS Collection Division. The plaintiffs contend they established a prima facie showing of jurisdiction over the officers by service upon Chief Chin, because the declarations of the plaintiffs' counsel show a policy of the IRS to accept service on behalf of its employees. We reject this argument. Chief Chin was neither appointed by the officers nor authorized by law to accept personal service for them in their individual capacities. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(d)(1). 11 The plaintiffs further argue the officers waived any defect in personal jurisdiction by their participation in the case, which the plaintiffs contend constituted a general appearance. We disagree. The officers only provided written testimony for the government in their official capacities. Participation in a case as a witness for another party does not constitute an appearance in the action. Schuckman v. Rubenstein, 164 F.2d 952, 956 (6th Cir.1947), cert. denied, 333 U.S. 875 (1948).