If I am an authorized dealer for a company headquartered in another state and need to sue them, can I do it with a lawyer admitted in my state or where the company is?
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If I am an authorized dealer for a company headquartered in another state and need to sue them, can I do it with a lawyer admitted in my state or where the company is?
Asked on December 11, 2014 under Business Law, Minnesota
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
For a definitive answer, you need to review the details of the prospective cause of action with an attorney, because jurisdication (having the authority to sue someone) and venue (where it is appropriate to sue) depend on the specific facts of the legal action. However, that said, if the suit grows out of your representation of the other company, you can generally sue in your state (there are enough "contacts" with that state, and that state has a sufficient interest in the case, because one of its citizens is an authorized representative) to justify jurisdiction and venue. The exception would be if the agreement you have with the company states that any lawsuits must be in a given state; if so, then you'll have to sue where the agreement says you'd have to sue, since jurisdiction and venue provisions in contracts are enforceable.
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