Bob Stetson Quoted on Forum Selection and Jurisdiction by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Bernkopf litigation partner Bob Stetson was recently quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, discussing the Superior Court’s decision in Sport Pro Surfacing, LLC v. Flake et al. The Court upheld personal jurisdiction over an individual defendant based on a forum selection clause. Still, it declined to extend that jurisdiction to several related entities due to insufficient connections to Massachusetts.
Commenting on the ruling, Bob highlighted the decision’s implications for practitioners:
“That’s a strategic point for contract drafters and litigators. Don’t assume that personal jurisdiction over one entity automatically pulls in affiliates or related parties.”
He also raised concerns about how sharply courts can separate individuals from the entities they control when analyzing jurisdictional questions.
Read the full article by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly here.
Bob Stetson may be reached by email at rstetson@bernkopflegal.com or by phone at 617.790.3423.