Rhode Island Law Journal

May 23, 2007

Need a quick primer (or refresher) on minimum contacts and personal jurisdiction?  See Cassidy v. Lonquist Management Co., LLC.  But so much for judges deciding only the case before them:

Imagine, by way of example, a conductor employed by Amtrak. If that conductor passes through Rhode Island on the Boston to New York run each weekday morning collecting tickets en route and assisting passengers at the station stops and then returns to Boston on the New York to Boston run in the afternoon performing the same activities year in and year out, it would be my view that Rhode Island has general jurisdiction over that conductor.  The fact that the conductor’s employment relationship is the cause of his or her entering Rhode Island so frequently and conducting business here is irrelevant. Acts have consequences, and one of the consequences of the conductor’s accepting employment with a company such as Amtrak is the likelihood that he or she may be subject to the jurisdiction of more than one forum.

The quote (citation omitted) is from Justice Robinson’s concurrence, joined by Justice Flaherty.

This has to be the oddest CLE offered at this year’s RI Bar Association annual meeting in June:

A dramatic presentation featuring three important, historic Rhode Island legal figures starring, in order of appearance: Roger Williams, trained in law and theology, whose principles formed the underpinnings of much of Rhode Island’s legal system; the lawyer and judge William Ellery, who was one of the state’s signatories of the Declaration of Independence and also a Supreme Court Judge; and Thomas Dorr, a lawyer best known for his role in the rebellion that carries his name. Each of these historic figures highlights the role they played in Rhode Island jurisprudence and explains the effect, good and bad, they have bequeathed to the present legal system. The audience is invited to engage in conversation with each of these historic legal luminaries.

The presentation is by Ralph E. Stokes, Esq., and attendees receive 2 CLE credits.

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