El Paso Energy Backs Motion to Dismiss, Maintains Jurisdiction is Lacking

NEW ORLEANS -- A benzene defendant had backed its motion to dismiss a benzene complaint for lack of jurisdiction, arguing that jurisdiction is not automatically conferred because the defendant has appeared in prior cases pending in the district. Washington, et al. v. Baker Petrolite Corp., et al., No. 09-07926 (E.D. La.).

"Personal jurisdiction over Trustee in this lawsuit cannot be established based on the Trustee's prior consent to personal jurisdiction in prior law suits," the May 25 reply brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana states.

In March, El Paso Energy E.S.T. Co. …