Epstein v. Gray Television, Inc.
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
474 F. Supp. 2d 835 (W.D. Tex. 2007)
Benn (defendant), a Georgia reporter for Gray Television, investigated and reported on malpractice lawsuits against Epstein (plaintiff) who had since moved to Texas; although Benn conducted most of her investigation in Georgia and South Carolina, she interviewed Epstein by phone in Texas, researched Texas law, contacted the Texas Medical Board, and sent her report to a Texas affiliate station and to Epstein's Texas employer. Epstein sued for libel in Texas federal court, and Benn moved to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction.
Whether a state court may exercise specific personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant for allegedly tortious conduct expressly aimed at the state if the brunt of the effects are felt there.