ExxonMobil Defeats Personal Jurisdiction Challenges

Cantey Hanger client, ExxonMobil, filed a petition in state court for pre-suit discovery from several California municipalities, including the cities of San Francisco and Oakland, as well as from their representatives, to determine whether they violated ExxonMobil’s First Amendment rights by filing pretextual lawsuits against ExxonMobil and several other energy companies.

Each of the respondents filed special appearances, challenging the court’s personal jurisdiction over them.

After extensive briefing, Cantey Hanger partner, Ralph Duggins, and Paul Weiss counsel, Justin Anderson, jointly presented oral argument for ExxonMobil. District Judge R.H. Wallace Jr. later issued an order denying the special appearances.

Duggins was assisted by Philip Vickers and Derek Carson.