Calif. Courts Have Personal Jurisdiction Over Bristol-Myers in Plavix Actions, State High Court Rules

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court has ruled 4-3 that California courts have personal jurisdiction over Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. in eight Plavix actions pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 410.10, which extends jurisdiction to the maximum extent permissible under the U.S. Constitution.

On Aug. 29, a panel majority reasoned that although BMS’ business contacts in California are insufficient to invoke general jurisdiction, the company‘s California activities are sufficiently related to the nonresident plaintiffs’ lawsuits to support the invocation of specific jurisdiction, under which personal jurisdiction is limited to specific litigation related to the defendant’s state contacts.

In March …