Multistate Bar Examination Practice Question

Personal jurisdiction is established when the defendant has sufficient minimum contacts with the forum state, and when exercising jurisdiction aligns with traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice. Minimum contacts exist when a defendant purposefully directs its activities toward the state and the claim arises from those activities. In this case, the company advertised its services in a way that reached State B residents and contracted directly with the plaintiff in State B, constituting purposeful availment. Since the claim is directly tied to the company’s contacts with State B, we can conclude that specific jurisdiction is proper.

The incorrect answers falter in their application of jurisdiction principles. Answer B overemphasizes physical presence, which is not a requirement for personal jurisdiction. Answer C incorrectly shifts the focus to the volume of business, ignoring that even minor business activity may suffice if it involves purposeful availment. Answer D neglects to account for the nature and connection of the defendant’s actions with the state, which play a role in determining jurisdiction under the minimum contacts analysis.