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holding that out-of-state attorneys' long-distance communications with their alleged Texas client, without evidence that the attorneys sought clients or otherwise affirmatively promoted their business in Texas, was insufficient level of purposeful contacts with Texas to support specific jurisdiction
Summary of this case from Weldon-Francke v. FisherOpinion
No. 04-98-00576-CV.
December 16, 1998.
Rehearing Overruled March 3, 1999.
Appeal from the 166th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas Trial Court No. 97-CI-09322, Honorable Michael Peden, Judge Presiding.
Thomas D. Cordell, Debra J. McComas, Kent Rutter, Haynes Boone, L.L.P., Houston, Stephen P. Allison, Haynes and Boone, L.L.P., San Antonio, for Appellant.
Jeffrey I. Kavy, George H. Spencer, Jr., Clemens Spencer, P.C., San Antonio, for Appellee.
Before PHIL HARDBERGER, Chief Justice, ALMA L. LÓPEZ, Justice, PAUL W. GREEN, Justice.
REVERSED AND DISMISSED
This is an accelerated appeal from the denial of the special appearances of Leslie K. Klenk, Jeffrey R. Zuckerman, and Gregory F. Taylor (collectively, "the attorneys"). See Tex. Civ. Prac. Rem. Code Ann. § 51.014(a)(7) (Vernon Supp. 1998). This appeal questions the propriety of personal jurisdiction over out-of-state corporate counsel who allegedly committed tortious acts while representing a corporate employee working and residing in Texas. Because the attorneys lack sufficient minimum contacts with Texas as a matter of law, we reverse the trial court's order and dismiss the case.
Background
Until he was terminated in 1997, Bustamante was a securities broker in the San Antonio office of Smith Barney, Inc. Upon his termination, Bustamante filed suit against Smith Barney and J. Steven Austin, manager of the San Antonio office. In his first amended petition, Bustamante added the attorneys, who were in-house counsel at Smith Barney's New York headquarters, as defendants. Once the trial court ordered the majority of Bustamante's claims to arbitration, the only remaining causes of action were for legal malpractice and deceptive trade practices, both associated with an alleged conflict of interest. In his second amended petition, Bustamante added a conversion claim against all defendants.
Against all defendants, Bustamante asserted claims of legal malpractice, negligent and intentional misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and deceptive trade practices.
Defendants Smith Barney and Austin filed the motion to compel arbitration. The trial court found Bustamante had signed an SEC form U-4, in which he agreed "to arbitrate any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or related to [his] job performance, employment and/or termination." Although the arbitration order does not specifically address the attorneys, arbitration of the same claims against them would be appropriate. See Fridl v. Cook, 908 S.W.2d 507, 514 (Tex.App.-El Paso 1995, writ dis'd w.o.j.); see also Nationwide of Bryan, Inc. v. Dyer, 969 S.W.2d 518, 520 (Tex.App.-Austin 1998, no pet.)
The core factual dispute in the case underlying this appeal is the existence of an attorney-client relationship between Bustamante and each of the three attorneys. Bustamante contends the attorneys represented him in their individual capacity in several matters associated with his employment at Smith Barney. In support of their special appearances, the attorneys submitted sworn affidavits contending they did not represent Bustamante in an individual capacity and that any legal services provided Bustamante were performed as employees of Smith Barney and on behalf of Smith Barney. Facts pertinent to each attorney are summarized below.
The Klenk Representation
Bustamante claims Klenk represented him in her individual capacity because she held herself out as his attorney and represented to him that he was her client. He contends the representation commenced with a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation of Bustamante and Smith Barney, which was conducted from the SEC's Fort Worth office. Bustamante further maintains Klenk neglected to inform him of any limitations on the scope of her representation in the SEC matter. Over long-distance telephone calls to San Antonio, Klenk provided legal advice and procured confidential information from Bustamante. She corresponded with both Bustamante in San Antonio and SEC attorneys in Fort Worth. Klenk also met with Bustamante in New York to review the SEC investigation.
Bustamante also produced the affidavit of Susana Reyes, Bustamante's former sales assistant, which stated that Klenk told Reyes she would be representing both Reyes and Bustamante in the SEC investigation. Klenk traveled to Texas to prepare Reyes for her testimony before the SEC, and Klenk reviewed Reyes's deposition with her.
To controvert these allegations, Klenk submitted an affidavit, stating she represented Bustamante only on behalf of Smith Barney. Notably, all evidence of Klenk's correspondence related to the SEC investigation is written on Smith Barney stationery with Klenk signing as vice president and general counsel. Klenk emphasized that, during the SEC investigation, all subpoenas and document requests were directed to Smith Barney. Finally, Klenk's conversations with Bustamante, whether by telephone or in person, occurred in New York.
The Zuckerman Representation
According to Bustamante, Zuckerman assigned Klenk to the SEC matter and supervised her work. Zuckerman also responded to Bustamante's concern over the potential conflict of interest in Klenk's representation of both Bustamante and Smith Barney, acknowledging Klenk had spent a great deal of time on Bustamante's case. Bustamante characterizes this response as proof that Klenk represented him.
By affidavit, Zuckerman conceded supervising Klenk but emphasized that all of his work regarding the SEC matter occurred in New York. Zuckerman stated he never personally advised Bustamante but met him only once in New York. Finally, Zuckerman informed Bustamante that Smith Barney could no longer represent him, which Zuckerman reiterated by correspondence on Smith Barney stationery.
The Taylor Representation
In 1995, Smith Barney's San Antonio office became aware that Manuel von Schulenburg, a former Smith Barney employee and co-worker of Bustamante, was inciting Smith Barney clients to complain about their investments. Bustamante alleges that this activity was directed at his clients and that Taylor was assigned to assist him in the von Schulenburg matter. Taylor admitted assisting von Schulenburg in the matter but maintained he did so on behalf of Smith Barney.
Guillermo Durand, a Smith Barney client, filed a complaint with Smith Barney about Bustamante after the 1994 Mexican peso devaluation. Bustamante claims Taylor represented him in the Durand matter, which culminated in a federal securities arbitration. Bustamante blamed the arbitration on Taylor's deficient representation. Taylor, on the other hand, claimed he acted pursuant to a legitimate strategy. Finally, all of Taylor's correspondence associated with these investigations was printed on Smith Barney stationery.
Standard and Scope of Review
A party filing a special appearance bears the burden of negating all bases of personal jurisdiction. See Siskind v. Villa Found. for Educ., Inc., 642 S.W.2d 434, 438 (Tex. 1982). On interlocutory appeal, we review the denial of a special appearance for an abuse of discretion. Magnolia Gas Co. v. Knight Equip. Mfg. Corp., No. 4-98-00156-CV, slip op. at 6, 1998 WL 652548, *3 (Tex.App. — San Antonio, Sept. 23, 1998, no pet.). Under this standard, we defer to the trial court's resolution of factual issues and uphold the court's decision absent a showing of arbitrariness or unreasonableness. See Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839-840 (Tex. 1992). In other words, the attorneys must establish the trial court could reasonably have reached only one conclusion. See id. at 841. However, we review the trial court's legal conclusions de novo. Id.
Because the record lacks findings of fact and conclusions of law, all questions of fact are presumed to support the judgment. See Zac Smith Co. v. Otis Elevator Co., 734 S.W.2d 662, 666 (Tex. 1987). These findings of fact are inconclusive, however, because the appellate record contains a reporter's record. Id.
Personal Jurisdiction
The exercise of jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant must comport with both (1) the Texas long-arm statute, and (2) state and federal constitutional due process guarantees. Guardian Royal Exch. Assurance, Ltd. v. English China Clays, P.L.C., 815 S.W.2d 223, 226 (Tex. 1991); Schlobohm v. Schapiro, 784 S.W.2d 355, 357 (Tex. 1990). Because the broad language of Texas's long-arm statute allows the statute to reach as far as the federal constitution permits, our decision in this case turns on a due process analysis. See Schlobohm, 784 S.W.2d at 357. This due process inquiry is two-fold: (1) the defendants must have purposely established minimum contacts with the forum state; and (2) the exercise of jurisdiction must comport with "fair play and substantial justice." See Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 476 (1985).
In deciding whether the attorneys established minimum contacts with Texas, we examine their intentional activities and expectations. To establish minimum contacts with the forum state, the attorneys must have purposefully availed themselves of the privilege of conducting activities within the forum state, thus enjoying the benefits and protections of its laws. See id. at 474-75, 105 S.Ct. 2174. The attorneys' activities must justify a conclusion that they reasonably anticipated being called into a Texas court. See id. at 475; World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson, 444 U.S. 286, 297 (1980). The focus of the minimum contacts analysis differs slightly between the two categories of personal jurisdiction — general and specific. See Schlobohm, 784 S.W.2d at 357. Bustamante contends the facts of this case implicate both types of jurisdiction. We disagree.
1. General Jurisdiction
General jurisdiction arises when a nonresident defendant engages in continuous and systematic contacts with the forum state. Guardian Royal Exch., 815 S.W.2d at 230. The events giving rise to the cause of action need not have occurred in the forum state. See CSR Ltd. v. Link, 925 S.W.2d 591, 594 (Tex. 1996). However, the defendant's activities within the forum state must be substantial. Schlobohm, 784 S.W.2d at 357.
Bustamante asserts general jurisdiction over the attorneys is proper because they performed legal services for Smith Barney's Texas office. To support his contention, Bustamante alleges the attorneys engaged in long-distance communication between New York and Texas, made trips to Texas, and represented Texans.
These activities were not substantial. Furthermore, only Klenk traveled to Texas for the purpose of preparing another Smith Barney employee for her SEC testimony. Additionally, the trip was made after Bustamante had been notified that any attorney-client relationship was ended. As a matter of law, these contacts are insufficient to support general jurisdiction. See Billingsley Parts Equip., Inc. v. Vose, 881 S.W.2d 165, 169 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, writ denied) (holding general jurisdiction improper despite non-resident's initiation of contact with Texas company, numerous phone calls to Texas, and cashing checks drawn on a Texas bank). Accordingly, we cannot sustain the trial court's ruling on this ground. We therefore turn to the question of specific jurisdiction.
2. Specific Jurisdiction
Specific jurisdiction requires that a defendant purposefully direct his activities toward residents of the forum state and that the cause of action arise out of or relate to those activities. Guardian Royal Exch., 815 S.W.2d at 230. In the case of nonresident-defendant lawyers, the "mere existence of an attorney-client relationship, unaccompanied by other sufficient contacts with the forum, does not confer personal jurisdiction over the non-resident in the forum state; more is required." Sawtelle v. Farrell, 70 F.3d 1381, 1392 (1st Cir. 1995). Accord Trinity Indus., Inc. v. Myers Assocs., Ltd., 41 F.3d 229, 230 (5th Cir. 1995). For example, the non-resident attorney must take affirmative action to promote business within the forum state. See, e.g., Sher v. Johnson, 911 F.2d 1357, 1363 (9th Cir. 1990); Sinatra v. National Enquirer, Inc., 854 F.2d 1191, 1195 (9th Cir. 1988). See also Rowland Rowland, P.C. v. Texas Employers Indem. Co., 973 S.W.2d 432, 435-36 (Tex.App.-Austin 1998, no pet.). Telephone calls and correspondence as activities directed at the forum state are generally insufficient. See Sawtelle, 70 F.3d at 1391; Sher, 911 F.2d at 1362-63; Austad Co. v. Pennie Edmonds, 823 F.2d 223, 226 (8th Cir. 1987); Mayes v. Leipziger, 674 F.2d 178, 184-85 (2d Cir. 1982). Not even isolated trips to the forum state during the representation, when coupled with the long-distance communication, amount to activities directed at the forum state. See Sher, 911 F.2d at 1363; Austad, 823 F.2d at 224-25.
Bustamante argues the attorneys purposefully directed activities at Texans by assuming an attorney-client relationship with him, engaging him in long-distance communication, communicating with regulatory agencies on his behalf, and traveling, in one instance, to Texas to prepare another client for a deposition. Furthermore, Bustamante claims these activities gave rise to his causes of action because the attorneys' out-of-state conduct caused injury to him in Texas.
Assuming the trial court found credible all the facts submitted by Bustamante, the assertion of personal jurisdiction over the attorneys is improper as a matter of law. The evidence shows, at most, the attorneys engaged in long-distance communication with Bustamante and on his behalf. No evidence indicates the attorneys sought clients or otherwise affirmatively promoted personal business within Texas. This level of contact with Texas is insufficient to support purposeful availment for purposes of specific jurisdiction. Accordingly, we hold that personal jurisdiction over the attorneys is improper.
Bustamante also claims he was injured in Texas, but this argument is erroneous. See generally Jobe v. ATR Mkting., Inc., 87 F.3d 751 (5th Cir. 1996) (finding no jurisdiction where tort committed out of state with only economic effects felt in forum state).
Conclusion
In light of our holding that the attorneys lack sufficient minimum contacts with Texas, we need not address whether jurisdiction in this case would comport with fair play and substantial justice. Because we hold the assertion of personal jurisdiction over the attorneys is improper, we reverse the trial court's order and dismiss the case against the attorneys.