Snowney v. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
California Supreme Court
112 P.3d 28 (2005)
California resident Snowney (plaintiff) booked a room at a Nevada Harrah's (defendant) property and was charged an undisclosed energy surcharge at checkout; although Harrah's had no hotels, employees, or bank accounts in California, it heavily advertised there through billboards, print and radio ads, and a website quoting rates, taking reservations, and highlighting the hotels' proximity to California with driving directions. Snowney sued in California state court, and Harrah's moved to quash for lack of personal jurisdiction, which the trial court granted but the Court of Appeal reversed.
Whether the minimum-contacts test for specific personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant requires purposeful availment of forum benefits, a controversy arising from the defendant's forum contacts, and consistency with fair play and substantial justice.