Arkansas Has Jurisdiction Over Virginia Resident
The Arkansas Court of Appeals reversed dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction in Roberts v. Bendos, No. 07-903 (6/4/08).
Bendos lives in Virginia; she hired Roberts to pursue a wrongful death action on behalf of her sister's estate in Saline County. After Roberts procured a favorable result, Bendos refused to pay him. After Roberts filed suit, the trial court dismissed the case for lack of personal jurisdiction.
The court of appeals easily reversed. Not only had Bendos traveled to Arkansas on numerous occasions, the lawsuit was the only significant asset of her sister's estate. Bendos cannot avail herself of the laws of Arkansas to obtain an asset and then claim no personal jurisdiction.
