Ex Parte Clay Merches. (in Re Cora Brantley v. Dwight Bassett)

Summary

The court held that Alabama lacked specific personal jurisdiction over Merches because his limited telephone contacts with Alabama were uninitiated, random, fortuitous, and attenuated, and did not constitute purposeful availment. It therefore granted mandamus and directed the trial court to vacate its order denying Merches's motion to dismiss and dismiss the claims against him. Justice Murdock, concurring in the result, agreed that Merches was not personally subject to jurisdiction but disagreed that the contacts should be characterized as random, fortuitous, and attenuated.