No Jurisdiction

The Nevada Supreme Court has held that a Nevada client of a Texas-based law firm cannot assert specific jurisdiction over the firm on claims arising out of investments in a San Antonio real estate venture.

Based on the evidence presented to the district court, we conclude that [client] Verano failed to make a prima facie showing that petitioners are subject to general or specific personal jurisdiction. In particular, we conclude that an out-of-state law firm that is solicited by a Nevada client to represent the client on an out-of-state matter does not subject itself to personal jurisdiction in Nevada simply by virtue of agreeing to represent the client. Moreover, because Verano’s additional evidence of petitioners’ Nevada contacts have no clear connection to Verano’s causes of action against petitioners, we conclude that Verano failed to make a prima facie showing of personal jurisdiction.

The case is Fulbright & Jaworski v. Eighth Judicial District Court. (Mike Frisch)