Opinion ID: 2435252
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Allegations of General Jurisdiction

Text: In this case, the plaintiffs assert that general jurisdiction over NISA is proper on the basis of systematic and continuous contacts between NISA and Texas Mining, the only member of NISA that is a resident of Texas. However, NISA argues, and the plaintiffs do not dispute, that its only contacts with Texas Mining have consisted of periodic mailing of letters and publications sent to its entire membership. The plaintiffs presented evidence of one other contact between NISA and Texasthe attendance of a meeting of the Silica Safety Association by a NISA official. General jurisdiction requires a showing of continuing and systematic activities in the forum such that jurisdiction is proper without a relationship between the defendant's particular act and the cause of action. Schlobohm v. Schapiro, 784 S.W.2d 355, 357 (Tex.1990). Mere association is not enough to establish general jurisdiction. See Calder v. Jones, 465 U.S. 783, 790, 104 S.Ct. 1482, 1487, 79 L.Ed.2d 804 (1984). NISA's tenuous contacts do not constitute systematic and continuous contacts with Texas necessary for general jurisdiction in conformity with the Due Process Clause. An organization that mails national newsletters and notices of acceptance of dues to a member company in Texas has not purposefully established minimum contacts such that it could reasonably foresee being sued in the courts of this state. See U-Anchor Advertising, Inc. v. Burt, 553 S.W.2d 760, 763 (Tex. 1977) (holding that Texas courts could not constitutionally assert general jurisdiction over a defendant which had mailed payments to the plaintiff in Texas under a contract to be performed outside the forum), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 1063, 98 S.Ct. 1235, 55 L.Ed.2d 763 (1978). The plaintiffs have not presented evidence of general jurisdiction.