Jurisdiction

Listen to this article

WI Court of Appeals – District IV

Case Name: The Segregated Account of Ambac Assurance Corporation, et al v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.

Case No.: 2015AP1492

Officials: Lundsten, Higginbotham, and Blanchard, JJ.

Focus: Jurisdiction

The Segregated Account of Ambac Assurance Corporation (the Segregated Account) and Ambac Assurance Corporation (collectively, “the insurers”) appeal an order dismissing for lack of personal jurisdiction the insurers’ action for fraudulent inducement against Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., a New York corporation. The insurers contend that there are three independent bases for personal jurisdiction over Countrywide in this action. However, we address only one of these arguments, because we conclude that it is dispositive in favor of the insurers. The insurers contend that Countrywide consented to general personal jurisdiction by following the requirement in WIS. STAT. § 180.1507 (2013-14)1 that, as a “foreign corporation,” Countrywide maintain in Wisconsin “a registered office and registered agent.” Based on Wisconsin Supreme Court precedent that we conclude is controlling, we agree with the insurers and accordingly we reverse.

Full Text

Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.