Rivelli v. Hemm

DANNER, J.

Santa Clara County Superior Court No. 18CV326785 Hon. Peter H. Kirwan Trial Judge

Counsel for Plaintiffs/Appellants Patrick J. Rivelli and Pinecroft Ventures, LLC: Robert A. Goodin Keith E. Johnson Goodin, MacBride, Squeri & Day, LLP

Counsel for Defendants/Respondents Frank Hemm and Institut Straumann AG: René Pierre Tatro Juliet A. Markowitz Tatro Tekosky Sadwick, LLP

DANNER, J.

In this appeal, we decide whether a Swiss company and its executive vice president, a Swiss citizen and resident, are subject to suit in California court for claims related to the purchase by the Swiss company of shares of a privately-held California corporation. The trial court granted the Swiss defendants' motions to quash service of summons for lack of personal jurisdiction. For the reasons explained below, we affirm the order.

I. Facts and procedural background