Ellsworth William Jefferies III, et al. v. Harcros Chemicals Inc., et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Kansas granted Koninklijke Philips N.V.'s motion to dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2) for lack of personal jurisdiction. The court declined jurisdictional discovery, dismissed the amended complaint against Koninklijke Philips N.V., and did not reach the alternative Rule 12(b)(6) and statute-of-repose arguments.

Holdings

1. The court lacked personal jurisdiction over Koninklijke Philips N.V. because plaintiffs failed to make a prima facie showing of jurisdiction and did not allege facts establishing sufficient contacts with Kansas.
2. Plaintiffs were not entitled to jurisdictional discovery because they identified no disputed jurisdictional facts or specific discovery necessary to establish personal jurisdiction.
3. The court did not need to address the alternative Rule 12(b)(6) or Kansas statute-of-repose arguments after dismissing for lack of personal jurisdiction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court could exercise general or specific personal jurisdiction over Koninklijke Philips N.V. in Kansas.
2. Whether plaintiffs were entitled to jurisdictional discovery concerning Koninklijke's relationship with Philips North America.
3. Whether the court needed to decide the alternative Rule 12(b)(6) and Kansas statute-of-repose grounds after finding no personal jurisdiction.

Disposition

dismissed