N.C. Court Recommends Denial of Personal Jurisdiction Challenges from Brenntag in Asbestos Talc Case

GREENSBORO, N.C. –– A North Carolina court has rejected jurisdiction challenges brought by Brenntag Specialties Inc. in an asbestos-containing talcum powder case, finding the plaintiffs had made a prima facie showing that the company was subject to personal jurisdiction based on its role as a successor to Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and based on its own conduct.

In the Jan. 15 recommendation, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina did acknowledge that some of the issues raised by the parties are inextricably intertwined with the “ultimate factual determinations in this case,” and can be considered fully …