Opinion ID: 1262405
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Applicability of Long-Arm Statute

Text: First, we consider whether Nottke is within the reach of Code § 8.01-328.1(A)(3), the long-arm statute. In doing so, we recognize that the function of our long-arm statute is to assert jurisdiction over nonresidents who engage in some purposeful activity in Virginia, to the extent permissible under the Due Process Clause of the Constitution of the United States. Nan Ya Plastics Corp. v. DeSantis, 237 Va. 255, 259, 377 S.E.2d 388, 391, cert. denied, 492 U.S. 921, 109 S.Ct. 3248, 106 L.Ed.2d 594 (1989). To resolve this issue, we first consider the elements of the asserted cause of action to determine the scope of the statute. The elements of a tortious interference with a contract are: (1) the existence of a valid contractual relationship or business expectancy; (2) knowledge of the relationship or expectancy on the part of the interferor; (3) intentional interference inducing or causing a breach or termination of the relationship or expectancy; and (4) resultant damage to the party whose relationship or expectancy has been disrupted. Chaves v. Johnson, 230 Va. 112, 120, 335 S.E.2d 97, 102 (1985). We are concerned with whether Nottke's activities in New York satisfied the third element of this tort. In support of his claim that he committed no act in Virginia that subjects him to Code § 8.01-328.1(A)(3), Nottke cites a number of cases in which fraudulent or defamatory statements were generated in a foreign state and transmitted by telephone or mail to the forum state. In those cases, the courts decided that such activities were not acts in the forum jurisdiction within the meaning of Code § 8.01-328.1(A)(3) or an identical statute of another jurisdiction. Davis v. Costa-Gavras, 580 F.Supp. 1082, 1087 (S.D.N.Y.1984); St. Clair v. Righter, 250 F.Supp. 148, 150-51 (W.D.Va.1966); Weller v. Cromwell Oil Co., 504 F.2d 927, 931 (6th Cir.1974); Margoles v. Johns, 483 F.2d 1212, 1221 (D.C.Cir.1973). In these cases, the nonresidents may have completed their tortious acts in the foreign jurisdictions, although the damage occurred in some other jurisdiction. We need not decide whether those courts correctly limited the applicable long-arm statutes because we are dealing with a communication that alone was not a tortious act; some further act was required in the forum state to complete Nottke's act of tortiously interfering with Krantz' prospective contract. Specifically, the entry of Nottke's message on his computer in New York was only the beginning of his plan to block Krantz' employment. To execute his plan, Nottke needed other persons to communicate his message to United, Krantz' prospective employer. He intended those persons to be fellow ALPA members, especially United pilots, who, at Nottke's request, would transmit negative comments about Krantz to United and thereby block Krantz' prospective employment. Without the use of ACCESS, a Virginia facility, Nottke could not have obtained those recruits, and there would have been no interference with Krantz' prospective contract, the third required element for a prima facie showing of this tort. Chaves, 230 Va. at 120, 335 S.E.2d at 102. Thus, Nottke's use of ACCESS in Virginia as a means of furthering his plan to block Krantz' employment was an act ... in this Commonwealth within the meaning of Code § 8.01-328.1(A)(3). This brings us to the question whether our construction of Code § 8.01-328.1(A)(3) would offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice. International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 316, 66 S.Ct. 154, 158, 90 L.Ed. 95 (1945) (quoting Milliken v. Meyer, 311 U.S. 457, 463, 61 S.Ct. 339, 343, 85 L.Ed. 278 (1940)). See Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 471-72, 105 S.Ct. 2174, 2181-82, 85 L.Ed.2d 528 (1985). In our opinion, the facts alleged indicate that Nottke has engaged in a purposeful activity in Virginia, and has had the minimum contact necessary for Krantz to maintain his action in the Commonwealth. See Keeton v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 465 U.S. 770, 779, 104 S.Ct. 1473, 1480-81, 79 L.Ed.2d 790 (1984) (transmitting libelous material into foreign state injuring nonresident plaintiff); Murphy v. Erwin-Wasey, Inc., 460 F.2d 661, 664 (1st Cir.1972) (telephoning and mailing intentionally deceptive material from foreign jurisdiction into forum state). Accordingly, we hold that subjecting Nottke to the personal jurisdiction of a Virginia court does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice. Therefore, we will reverse the trial court's dismissal of Nottke for lack of personal jurisdiction.