Opinion ID: 2634764
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Requirements for Personal Jurisdiction

Text: A plaintiff seeking to invoke a Colorado court's jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant must comply with the requirements of our long-arm statute and constitutional due process. See Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1270. Because the General Assembly intended for our long-arm statute to confer the maximum jurisdiction permitted by the due process clauses of the United States and Colorado constitutions, we necessarily address the requirements of the long-arm statute when we engage in constitutional due process analysis. [4] Id.; see Mr. Steak, Inc. v. Dist. Ct., 194 Colo. 519, 521, 574 P.2d 95, 96 (1978). In regard to personal jurisdiction, due process analysis involves an ad hoc evaluation of the facts of each case and is generally considered more of an art than a science. Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1272. However, this does not mean that due process analysis is discretionary. Id. Due process requires that a defendant have certain minimum contacts with the forum state so that he may foresee being answerable in court there. See id. at 1270-71. The quantity and nature of the minimum contacts required depends on whether the plaintiff alleges specific or general jurisdiction. See id. at 1271. Because Archangel asserts specific and general jurisdiction, we discuss both concepts below.
Specific jurisdiction is properly exercised where the injuries triggering litigation arise out of and are related to activities that are significant and purposefully directed by the defendant at residents of the forum. Id. at 1271 (citing Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 472, 105 S.Ct. 2174, 85 L.Ed.2d 528 (1985)). As such, the minimum contacts inquiry in regard to specific jurisdiction is essentially a two part test assessing, (1) whether the defendant purposefully availed himself of the privilege of conducting business in the forum state, and (2), whether the litigation arises out of the defendant's forum-related contacts. See id. at 1270-71 (noting that due process analysis revolves around the defendant's conduct and connection with the forum state); OMI Holdings, 149 F.3d at 1091 (Within [the minimum contacts] inquiry we must determine whether the defendant purposefully directed its activities at residents of the forum, and whether the plaintiff's claim arises out of or results from actions . . . that create a substantial connection with the forum state.) (internal citations and quotations omitted); see also Cameco Corp., 375 F.3d at 1078 (applying this two-part minimum contacts inquiry where both contract and tort claims asserted). The purposeful availment requirement precludes personal jurisdiction resulting from random, fortuitous, or attenuated contacts. Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. v. Heliqwest Intern., Ltd., 385 F.3d 1291, 1296 (10th Cir.2004) (quoting Burger King, 471 U.S. at 475, 105 S.Ct. 2174); Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1271. Similarly, the actions of the defendant, and not those unilaterally taken by someone else, are significant in determining whether the defendant purposefully availed himself of the privilege of conducting business in the forum state. Burger King, 471 U.S. at 474-75, 105 S.Ct. 2174; Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1270; see also Asahi Metal Indus. Co. v.Super. Ct. of California, 480 U.S. 102, 109, 107 S.Ct. 1026, 94 L.Ed.2d 92 (1987); OMI Holdings, 149 F.3d at 1091. A defendant's deliberate creation of continuing obligations with the forum state has also been identified as a factor constituting purposeful availment. Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1271 (citing Burger King, 471 U.S. at 475-76, 105 S.Ct. 2174). As far as the arising out of prong of the specific jurisdiction test is concerned, the actions of the defendant giving rise to the litigation must have created a substantial connection with the forum state. Id.; see OMI Holdings, 149 F.3d at 1091.
Whereas specific jurisdiction requires that the cause of action arise out of the defendant's contacts with the forum, general jurisdiction permits a court to exercise jurisdiction over a defendant even where the litigation arises out of non-forum contacts. Waterval v. Dist. Ct., 620 P.2d 5, 9 (Colo.1980); see OMI Holdings, 149 F.3d at 1091. However, because general jurisdiction is not related to the events giving rise to the suit, courts impose a more stringent minimum contacts test, requiring the plaintiff to demonstrate the defendant's continuous and systematic general business contacts. OMI Holdings, 149 F.3d at 1091 (internal quotations omitted) (quoting Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Robertson-Ceco Corp., 84 F.3d 560, 567 (2d Cir.1996)).
Once a plaintiff has established that a defendant has the requisite minimum contacts under either specific or general jurisdiction, these contacts may be considered in light of other factors to determine whether the assertion of personal jurisdiction would comport with fair play and substantial justice. Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1271 (internal quotations omitted) (citing Burger King, 471 U.S. at 476, 105 S.Ct. 2174). This inquiry requires a determination of whether a district court's exercise of personal jurisdiction over a defendant with minimum contacts is `reasonable' in light of the circumstances surrounding the case. OMI Holdings, 149 F.3d at 1091 (citing Asahi, 480 U.S. at 109, 107 S.Ct. 1026); Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1271. A court may consider several factors in determining whether the exercise of jurisdiction is proper, including the burden on the defendant, the forum state's interest in resolving the controversy, and the plaintiff's interest in attaining effective and convenient relief. Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1271-72. Where a defendant's minimum contacts with Colorado are weak, the less a defendant need show in terms of unreasonableness to defeat jurisdiction. The reverse is equally true: an especially strong showing of reasonableness may serve to fortify a borderline showing of minimum contacts. OMI Holdings, 149 F.3d at 1092 (quoting Ticketmaster-New York, Inc. v. Alioto, 26 F.3d 201, 210 (1st Cir.1994)); Keefe, 40 P.3d at 1271-72.