VanFleteren Examines SCOTUS' Mallory Decision in The Florida Bar Newsletter

08.23.2023

Stinson LLP attorney Luke VanFleteren authored an article for State-to-State, "Supreme Court ruling opens door to suits in states where companies are registered."

VanFleteren expands upon a recent client alert and further examines how the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Mallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co. has the potential to expand the number of state courts that can exercise jurisdiction over corporate defendants. He also provides guidance for Florida-licensed attorneys handling matters for clients with multi-state operations.

VanFleteren says the Supreme Court's decision could result in "more defendants 'greeting the process server' in states that have no connection to the conduct complained of in the suit at hand."

"The Supreme Court's ruling creates uncertainty for businesses with multi-state operations and creates a pathway for corporations to be sued in many, or perhaps all, states in which they register regardless of where a particular suit arose," he writes. "As such, now is a great time for Out-of-State Division litigators to brush up on their home state's corporation registration and long-arm statutes to make sure they can advise clients appropriately."

VanFleteren is a business litigation attorney focusing his practice on labor and employment law. He represents and counsels clients in state and federal courts before administrative agencies and advises employers on employment, labor, and wage and hour issues. He also handles arbitration matters related to employee restrictive covenants. His practice serves clients in a variety of jurisdictions, including Alabama, Florida and Kansas.

Read the full article.