Mayer partner Scott Novak secured a significant appellate victory limiting Texas jurisdiction over a foreign company in a cross-border transportation dispute.

The case arose from a bus collision in Mexico involving Texas plaintiffs and a related U.S.-based transportation company. The plaintiffs sought to bring claims in Texas against the Mexican entity based on its relationship with affiliated companies operating on the U.S. side of the border.

Mayer challenged that effort through a special appearance, arguing that the Mexican company operated exclusively in Mexico, maintained separate operations from its U.S. counterpart, and lacked the contacts required to establish jurisdiction in Texas. After the trial court denied the challenge, Mayer pursued an interlocutory appeal.

The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the plaintiffs failed to establish either general or specific jurisdiction. The court found no evidence that the Mexican company was “at home” in Texas and rejected arguments that the companies operated as alter egos. It also concluded there was no substantial connection between the company’s Texas-related contacts and the claims arising from the collision in Mexico.

This decision underscores the importance of a well-developed jurisdictional strategy in cross-border disputes. By focusing on the structure of the companies’ operations and the location of the underlying conduct, Mayer successfully limited the case to the appropriate forum and avoided litigation against its client in Texas.