{
  "id": 9187765,
  "name": "ADAMS, KLEEMEIER, HAGAN, HANNAH & FOUTS, PLLC, Plaintiff v. ROBERT JACOBS and ELLIOT JACOBS and DAVID QUELLER and IRA BORN, Defendants",
  "name_abbreviation": "Adams, Kleemeier, Hagan, Hannah & Fouts, PLLC v. Jacobs",
  "decision_date": "2003-06-17",
  "docket_number": "No. COA02-789",
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          "page": "159",
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          "page": "444",
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    {
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      "cite": "253 S.E.2d 37",
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      "year": 1979,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "41",
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          "page": "365",
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          "page": "194"
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    {
      "cite": "281 N.C. 697",
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      "reporter": "N.C.",
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        {
          "page": "506",
          "parenthetical": "quoting Page v. Sloan, 281 N.C. 697, 705, 190 S.E.2d 189, 194 (1972)"
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      "cite": "93 L. Ed. 2d 381",
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      "year": 1986,
      "opinion_index": 0
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    {
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          "page": "253"
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          "page": "1298"
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        {
          "page": "253"
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          "page": "1298"
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    {
      "cite": "783 F.2d 1124",
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        11337359
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      "year": 1984,
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          "page": "797"
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        6205101
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      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "475",
          "parenthetical": "quoting Keeton v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 465 U.S. 770, 774, 79 L. Ed. 2d 790, 797 (1984), and Helicopteros, 466 U.S. at 417, 80 L. Ed. 2d at 413"
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          "page": "542",
          "parenthetical": "quoting Keeton v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 465 U.S. 770, 774, 79 L. Ed. 2d 790, 797 (1984), and Helicopteros, 466 U.S. at 417, 80 L. Ed. 2d at 413"
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      "cite": "521 S.E.2d 735",
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      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "736",
          "parenthetical": "citing International Shoe, 326 U.S. at 319, 90 L. Ed. at 103"
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      "cite": "135 N.C. App. 594",
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      "year": 1999,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "650"
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      "cite": "134 N.C. App. 110",
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      "reporter": "N.C. App.",
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    {
      "cite": "181 F. Supp. 2d 644",
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    {
      "cite": "311 U.S. 457",
      "category": "reporters:federal",
      "reporter": "U.S.",
      "case_ids": [
        6141572
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      "year": 1940,
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        {
          "page": "316",
          "parenthetical": "quoting Milliken v. Meyer, 311 U.S. 457, 463, 85 L. Ed. 278, 283 (1940)"
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    "parties": [
      "ADAMS, KLEEMEIER, HAGAN, HANNAH & FOUTS, PLLC, Plaintiff v. ROBERT JACOBS and ELLIOT JACOBS and DAVID QUELLER and IRA BORN, Defendants"
    ],
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      {
        "text": "LEVINSON, Judge.\nPlaintiff (law firm of Adams, Kleemeier, Hagan, Hannah & Fouts, hereafter \u2018Adams, Kleemeier\u2019) appeals from an order granting a motion by defendants (David Queller and Ira Born) to dismiss plaintiff\u2019s suit for lack of personal jurisdiction. We affirm.\nThe pertinent facts are summarized as follows: Born and Queller, both residents of Florida, are two of eleven defendants named in New Horizon of NY, LLC v. Robert Jacobs, et al., 5:97-CV-126-BR(2) (EDNC). During the course of litigation, the New Horizon defendants hired the law firm of Patton Boggs, LLP, which at that time had offices in Washington, D.C.; Dallas, Texas; and Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina. Patton Boggs attorneys Read McCaffrey of the Washington office, and Steven Hedges of the Greensboro office, participated in the New Horizon trial, conducted in Raleigh, North Carolina. In mid July, 1999, judgment was returned against the New Horizon defendants in federal district court in the amount of $21,000,000.00. A week after the verdict, Patton Boggs closed its North Carolina offices. McCaffrey remained with the Patton Boggs office in Washington, D.C., while Hedges joined Greensboro law firm Adams, Kleemeier, plaintiff herein.\nThe contract between Patton Boggs and the New Horizon defendants did not include representation on appeal. Following the trial, Patton Boggs remained counsel of record for the New Horizon defendants until November, 1999. On 29 July 1999, McCaffrey wrote defendant Bom and informed him that Hedges had left Patton Boggs and was working for a different law firm. Between July and October 1999, Hedges sent defendants Bom and Queller several unanswered letters on behalf of Adams, Kleemeier, proposing that defendants hire plaintiff to provide appellate representation and suggesting various terms and payment arrangements. However, the record indicates that on appeal to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, defendants were represented by attorneys from three other law firms: Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin, L.L.P., Washington, D.C. (\u2018Miller, Cassidy\u2019); Smith, Helms, Mullis & Moore, Raleigh, N.C. (\u2018Smith, Helms\u2019); and Blanchard, Jenkins & Miller, P.A., Raleigh, N.C. See New Horizon of NY LLC v. Jacobs, 231 F.3d 143 (4th Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 532 U.S. 1052, 149 L. Ed. 2d 1024 (2001).\nOn 25 September 2001, plaintiff filed suit against defendants and co-defendants Robert and Elliott Jacobs; the present appeal concerns only defendants Born and Queller. Plaintiff alleged that it had been hired to represent defendants on appeal and had performed legal services for defendants for which it had not been paid. Plaintiff asserted claims for breach of contract and damages in quantum meruit, and sought damages of $33,020.19 from Queller, and $18,527.75 from Born, as well as costs and attorney\u2019s fees. On 5 February 2002, defendants filed a motion to dismiss plaintiff\u2019s complaint under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(2), for lack of personal jurisdiction. Defendants submitted accompanying affidavits and copies of the letters that plaintiff had sent them. On 5 March 2002, Hedges executed an affidavit in support of plaintiff\u2019s opposition to the dismissal motion, accompanied by copies of letters sent to defendants. On 20 March 2002, the trial court entered an order dismissing plaintiff\u2019s claim against defendants for lack of personal jurisdiction. From this order plaintiff appeals.\nPlaintiff argues that by dismissing its complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction, the trial court committed reversible error. We disagree.\n\u201cJurisdiction has been defined as \u2018the power to hear and to determine a legal controversy; to inquire into the facts, apply the law, and to render and enforce a judgment[.]\u2019 \u201d High v. Pearce, 220 N.C. 266, 271, 17 S.E.2d 108, 112 (1941) (quoting McIntosh, Practice and Procedure, sec. 5) (citations omitted). \u201cPersonal jurisdiction refers to the Court\u2019s ability to assert judicial power over the parties and bind them by its adjudication.\u201d Japan Gas Lighter Asso. v. Ronson Corp., 257 F. Supp. 219, 224 (D.N.J. 1966). A trial court ruling on the defendant\u2019s challenge to the exercise of personal jurisdiction may either (1) decide the matter based on affidavits, or (2) conduct an evidentiary hearing with witness testimony or depositions. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 43(e) (2001). Either way, \u201c[t]he burden is on the plaintiff to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that grounds exist for the exercise of personal jurisdiction over a defendant.\u201d Filmar Racing, Inc. v. Stewart, 141 N.C. App. 668, 671, 541 S.E.2d 733, 736 (2001); Murphy v. Glafenhein, 110 N.C. App. 830, 431 S.E.2d 241, disc. review denied, 335 N.C. 176, 436 S.E.2d 382 (1993). Moreover, \u201cwhen the defendant supplements its motion [for dismissal] with affidavits or other supporting evidence, the allegations of the plaintiffs complaint \u2018can no longer be taken as true or controlling and plaintiff[] cannot rest on the allegations of the complaint,\u2019 but must respond \u2018by affidavit or otherwise . . . setting forth specific facts showing that the court has jurisdiction.\u2019 \u201d Wyatt v. Walt Disney World Co., 151 N.C. App. 158, 163, 565 S.E.2d 705, 708 (2002) (quoting Bruggeman v. Meditrust Acquisition Co., 138 N.C. App. 612, 615-16, 532 S.E.2d 215, 218, disc. review denied, 353 N.C. 261, 546 S.E.2d 90 (2000)) (citation omitted).\nThe trial court\u2019s determination regarding the existence of grounds for personal jurisdiction is a question of fact. Hiwassee Stables, Inc. v. Cunningham, 135 N.C. App. 24, 519 S.E.2d 317 (1999). \u201c \u2018The standard of [appellate] review of an order determining personal jurisdiction is whether the findings of fact by the trial court are supported by competent evidence in the record; if so, this Court must affirm the order of the trial court.\u2019 \u201d Wyatt, 151 N.C. App. at 163, 565 S.E.2d at 708 (quoting Replacements, Ltd. v. Midwesterling, 133 N.C. App. 139, 140-41, 515 S.E.2d 46, 48 (1999)). \u201cWhere no findings are made, proper findings are presumed, and our role on appeal is to review the record for competent evidence to support these presumed findings.\u201d Bruggeman, 138 N.C. App. at 615, 532 S.E.2d at 217-18 (citing Sherwood v. Sherwood, 29 N.C. App. 112, 223 S.E.2d 509 (1976)).\nIn its determination regarding the existence of personal jurisdiction, the trial court undertakes a two part analysis.\nFirst, the North Carolina long-arm statute must permit the exercise of personal jurisdiction. Second, the exercise of personal jurisdiction must comport with the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. \u2018However, when personal jurisdiction is alleged to exist pursuant to the long-arm statute, the question of statutory authority collapses into one inquiry \u2014 whether defendant has the minimum contacts necessary to meet the requirements of due process.\u2019\nFilmar Racing, 141 N.C. App. at 671, 541 S.E.2d at 736 (quoting Hiwassee Stables, 135 N.C. App. at 27, 519 S.E.2d at 320) (citations omitted).\nN.C.G.S. \u00a7 1-75.4 (2001), North Carolina\u2019s \u201clong-arm statute,\u201d confers jurisdiction over non-residents. In the instant case, plaintiff did not reference G.S. \u00a7 1-75.4 in its complaint. However, \u201c[t]he failure to plead the particulars of jurisdiction is not fatal to the claim so long as the facts alleged permit the inference of jurisdiction under the statute.\u201d Williams v. Institute for Computational Studies, 85 N.C. App. 421, 428, 355 S.E.2d 177, 182 (1987). On appeal, plaintiff argues that statutory authority for the assertion of personal jurisdiction exists under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1-75.4(5), which, in pertinent part, confers jurisdiction on actions:\na. Arising] out of a promise, made anywhere to the plaintiff or to some third party for the plaintiffs benefit, by the defendant to perform services within this State or to pay for services to be performed in this State by the plaintiff; or\nb. Arisfing] out of services . .. actually performed for the defendant by the plaintiff within this State if such performance within this State was authorized or ratified by the defendant^] . . .\nN.C.G.S. \u00a7 1-75.4(5)(a) and (b) (2001). Plaintiff alleges that it performed legal services for defendants, and that defendants either authorized or promised to pay for these services. We conclude plaintiff has asserted sufficient facts to support a statutory basis for the exercise of personal jurisdiction over defendants. We next consider whether minimum contacts consistent with constitutional principles exist.\n\u201cThe Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment operates to limit the power of a state to assert in personam jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant.\u201d Hiwassee Stables, 135 N.C. App. at 28, 519 S.E.2d at 320 (citing Helicopteros Nacionales de Columbia v. Hall, 466 U.S. 408, 413, 80 L. Ed. 2d 404, 410 (1984)). The pivotal inquiry for a court\u2019s determination of whether the exercise of personal jurisdiction comports with due process is whether the defendant has \u201ccertain minimum contacts with [the forum state] such that the maintenance of the suit does not offend \u2018traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.\u2019 \u201d International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 316, 90 L. Ed. 95, 102 (1945) (quoting Milliken v. Meyer, 311 U.S. 457, 463, 85 L. Ed. 278, 283 (1940)) (citation omitted).\n\u201cIn addition, \u2018[t]he United States Supreme Court has noted two types of long-arm jurisdiction: \u2018specific jurisdiction,\u2019 where the controversy arises out of the defendant\u2019s contacts with the forum state, and \u2018general jurisdiction,\u2019 where the controversy is unrelated to the defendant\u2019s activities within the forum, but there are \u2018sufficient contacts\u2019 between the forum and the defendant.\u2019 \u201d Wyatt, 151 N.C. App. at 165, 565 S.E.2d at 709 (quoting Helicopteros, 466 U.S. at 414, 80 L. Ed. 2d at 411). \u201cGeneral jurisdiction exists where the defendant has continuous and systematic contacts with the forum state [.]\u201d Wyatt, 151 N.C. App. at 165, 565 S.E.2d at 710 (citing Frisella v. Transoceanic Cable Ship Co., 181 F. Supp. 2d 644, 647 (E.D. La. 2002)). In the instant case, plaintiff does not assert the presence of general jurisdiction, and we find no basis for its existence. We turn, therefore, to the question of whether grounds exist for the exercise of specific jurisdiction.\n\u201cNorth Carolina exercises specific jurisdiction over a party when it exercises personal jurisdiction in a suit arising out of that party\u2019s contacts within the state.\u201d Fran\u2019s Pecans, Inc. v. Greene, 134 N.C. App. 110, 114, 516 S.E.2d 647, 650 (1999). \u201cTo effectuate minimum contacts, a defendant must have acted to purposefully avail itself of the privileges of conducting activities within this State, thus invoking the benefits and protection of our laws.\u201d Bates v. Jarrett, 135 N.C. App. 594, 597, 521 S.E.2d 735, 736 (1999) (citing International Shoe, 326 U.S. at 319, 90 L. Ed. at 103).\nThe \u2018purposeful availment\u2019 requirement ensures that a defendant -will not be haled into a jurisdiction solely as a result of \u2018random,\u2019 \u2018fortuitous,\u2019 or . . . \u2018unilateral activity of another party or a third person[.]\u2019 Jurisdiction is proper, however, where the contacts proximately result from actions by the defendant himself that create a \u2018substantial connection\u2019 with the forum State.\nBurger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 475, 85 L. Ed. 2d 528, 542 (1985) (quoting Keeton v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 465 U.S. 770, 774, 79 L. Ed. 2d 790, 797 (1984), and Helicopteros, 466 U.S. at 417, 80 L. Ed. 2d at 413). Therefore, \u201c[t]he significant contacts considered are those actually generated by the defendant. It is firmly established that \u2018the unilateral activity of those who claim some relationship with a nonresident defendant cannot satisfy the requirement of contact with the forum State.\u2019 . . . Jurisdiction may not be manufactured by the conduct of others.\u201d Chung v. NANA Development Corp., 783 F.2d 1124, 1127 (4th Cir.) (quoting Hanson v. Denckla, 357 U.S. 235, 253, 2 L. Ed. 2d 1283, 1298 (1958)), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 948, 93 L. Ed. 2d 381 (1986).\nPreliminarily, we note that plaintiff argues in its brief that personal jurisdiction is proper in part because \u201cQueller made a partial payment to [plaintiffs] in North Carolina.\u201d However, plaintiff has since submitted an exhibit to this Court, retracting this argument and stating this earlier allegation was \u201can inadvertent misstatement.\u201d Accordingly, we have disregarded plaintiff\u2019s earlier statements on this matter, and our holding in this case is not based in any respect on the assertion in plaintiffs brief that Queller had made a partial payment to plaintiff for appellate legal services.\nPlaintiff argues on appeal that co-defendant Robert Jacobs \u201cauthorized and directed [plaintiff], on behalf of himself and [defendants], to perfect the appeal, preserve all appellate rights and handle a wide range of post-judgment motions and other matters.\u201d However, both defendants flatly contradicted this assertion in their affidavits, each of which stated that:\nRobert Jacobs is not now and never has been my agent for any purpose associated with the New Horizon case. Robert Jacobs is not now and never has been authorized to deal with Adams Kleemeier or Mr. Hedges as my agent or to retain Adams Kleemeier or Mr. Hedges to represent me.\nPlaintiff offers no documentary or other evidentiary support of its claim that Robert Jacobs was authorized to contract on behalf of defendants. Nor does Hedges\u2019 affidavit include any reference to Robert Jacobs\u2019 acting on behalf of defendants. Instead, plaintiff relies solely upon assertions in its verified complaint, which plaintiff contends must be treated as an affidavit. On this basis, plaintiff argues that defendants\u2019 affidavits \u201cdo[] nothing more than create a factual dispute, which must be resolved in [plaintiff\u2019s] favor for purposes of [defendants\u2019] [m]otion to [d]ismiss.\u201d Plaintiff misapprehends the law in this regard.\nIt is true that a \u201c \u2018verified complaint may be treated as an affidavit if it (1) is made on personal knowledge, (2) sets forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and (3) shows affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein.\u2019 \u201d Spinks v. Taylor and Richardson v. Taylor Co., 303 N.C. 256, 264, 278 S.E.2d 501, 506 (1981) (quoting Page v. Sloan, 281 N.C. 697, 705, 190 S.E.2d 189, 194 (1972)). However, the allegations in plaintiff\u2019s complaint regarding Robert Jacob\u2019s authority to act on behalf of defendants \u201cmeet[] neither the first nor the third requirements of the rule for affidavits and therefore may not be considered.\u201d Page, 281 N.C. at 705, 690 S.E.2d at 194; see also Talbert v. Choplin, 40 N.C. App. 360, 365, 253 S.E.2d 37, 41 (1979) (verified affidavit that failed to establish that plaintiff was competent to testify to matter asserted had \u201cfailed to meet the requirements for an affidavit to be considered under Rule 56(e)\u201d and thus could not be considered by the trial court). Because plaintiff failed to offer any evidence, by affidavit or otherwise, that Robert Jacobs entered into a contract on behalf of defendants, this allegation is disregarded in our determination of whether grounds exist for the exercise of personal jurisdiction over defendants.\nPlaintiff bases its argument that defendants were subject to personal jurisdiction primarily upon evidence that Hedges \u201csent Defendants approximately 20 letters on Adams Kleemeier letterhead regarding their case.\u201d Plaintiff acknowledges that when the New Horizon trial ended, defendants \u201chad not made or conveyed to trial counsel any decisions about appellate representation^]\u201d and also concedes that defendants \u201ccontinually and entirely ignored\u201d plaintiffs \u201crepeated and frequent attempts to propose, negotiate and execute a formal written engagement with Defendants for post-trial and appellate services[.]\u201d However, plaintiff argues on appeal that defendants\u2019 passive receipt of these letters constitutes the required \u201cminimum contact\u201d between defendants and North Carolina. We disagree.\nIt is settled law that personal jurisdiction is not created by the unilateral acts of plaintiff. \u201c \u2018The unilateral activity of those who claim some relationship with a nonresident defendant cannot satisfy the requirement of contact with the forum State[.]\u2019 \u201d Miller v. Kite, 313 N.C. 474, 477, 329 S.E.2d 663, 665 (1985) (quoting Hanson, 357 U.S. at 253, 2 L. Ed. 2d at 1298); see, e.g., Allegiant Physicians Services v. Sturdy Mem. Hosp., 926 F. Supp. 1106, 1115 (N.D. Ga. 1996) (personal jurisdiction not proper where defendant \u201creceived several unsolicited promotional brochures\u201d from plaintiff before \u201cfinally responding] to one of Plaintiff\u2019s inquiries\u201d); Covenant Bank for Sav. v. Cohen, 806 F. Supp. 52, 55 (D.N.J. 1992) (where record contains \u201cno allegation that defendants solicited or initiated the contact with [plaintiff],\u201d Court finds exercise of personal jurisdiction improper, noting that \u201cplaintiff\u2019s unilateral acts, directed to a nonresident defendant, do not create sufficient minimum contacts between the nonresident defendant and the forum\u201d). In the present case, it is uncontroverted that plaintiff\u2019s letters to defendants were unsolicited. It is equally undisputed that defendants did not respond to plaintiff\u2019s solicitations to provide appellate legal services. We conclude that the mailing by plaintiff of letters to defendants in Florida was not an action by defendants directed towards North Carolina, and do not constitute a contact that defendants made with this State.\nPlaintiff also asserts the existence of personal jurisdiction based on the contents of the letters it sent to defendants. Plaintiff contends that its letters either established an implied contract for appellate representation, or at least gave rise to an obligation on defendants\u2019 part to respond. Our examination of the letters reveals no basis for this assertion.\nPlaintiff directs our attention to self-serving excerpts from these letters. For example, plaintiff\u2019s letter of 3 August 1999 to defendant Born states that \u201c[y]ou have accepted that I, and [Adams, Kleemeier] will perform the bulk of the work on the New Horizon appeal[.]\u201d There is no evidence in the record supporting this statement, or suggesting that defendant ever accepted plaintiff\u2019s proposed terms of engagement. Indeed, the letter also states the following:\nIt is critically important that we have your financial commitment to this appeal. . . . [M]y firm simply will not make an appearance in this appeal without a dependable commitment to the payment of the considerable fees and expenses. . . . You must bring your account current with Patton Boggs as of July 31, 1999. I will require a substantial retainer for Adams, Kleemeier. . . .\nI understand that you experienced some sticker shock at the $900,000 figure demanded by Read.. .. The history of slow pay to prior lawyers has hurt you and will continue to hurt you. Adams, Kleemeier will not make the considerable commitment of resources to obtain a reversal on appeal if you will not give us the financial fuel to do our best on your behalf.\n(emphasis added). Plaintiff\u2019s letter, which unequivocally warns that it \u201cwill not make an appearance in this appeal\u201d absent payment of a \u201csubstantial retainer,\u201d is properly construed as an offer to provide appellate representation only upon receipt of \u201ca dependable commitment to the payment of the considerable fees[.]\u201d Similar language appears in the other letters included in the record. The 29 July 1999 letter from McCaffrey to defendant Born states, in relevant part, that:\n[Plaintiff] will not allow [this] matter to come in the door without a retainer. . . . [T]o keep [Hedges] involved ... we need $900,000.00. . . . This is as low as we can go and still receive permission from firm management to go forward.\n(emphasis added). This was followed by plaintiffs letter of 3 August 1999, discussed above. Plaintiff subsequently wrote to both defendants on 1 September 1999, that\nit is necessary that we establish an agreement to the terms of representation. . . . The retainer I request to go forward with the appeal is $150,000.00. . . . Other terms of our engagement are set forth on the enclosed term sheet. We require that you acknowledge acceptance of and agreement to [these] terms by signing the enclosed copy of this letter and returning same to me . . . along with your contribution [and] the required retainer.\u201d\n(emphasis added). This letter makes clear that as of 1 September 1999, no agreement had been reached regarding plaintiffs retention as appellate counsel. On 16 September 1999, plaintiff again wrote to defendants:\n[P]lease execute my engagement letter forwarded to you on September 1, 1999 and return it to me with the requested retainer. We must establish an engagement with my new firm in order for me to continue to be involved in your representation.\n(emphasis added). This was followed on 4 October 1999 by letters from plaintiff to defendants stating in pertinent part \u201cI have not heard from you concerning my proposed terms of engagement for handling the appeal on your behalf.\u201d (emphasis added). These unsolicited letters to defendants expressly condition plaintiffs representation of defendants upon defendants\u2019 agreement to plaintiffs financial terms, and their payment of a \u201csubstantial retainer.\u201d Defendants were entitled to rely upon plaintiffs clear statements that it would not \u201creceive permission from firm management to go forward\u201d without payment of a retainer, and would \u201cnot make an appearance in this appeal without a dependable commitment\u201d to payment of fees. See Spartan Leasing v. Pollard, 101 N.C. App. 450, 455, 400 S.E.2d 476, 479 (1991) (\u201cOne to whom a definite representation has been made is entitled to rely on that representation if the representation is of a character to induce action by a person of ordinary prudence and is reasonably relied upon.\u201d) (citing Fox v. Southern Appliances, 264 N.C. 267, 141 S.E.2d 522 (1965)). It is undisputed that defendants neither responded to these letters, nor sent plaintiff any money. We conclude that plaintiffs letters to defendants do not establish the existence of an implied contract for legal representation.\nPlaintiff also argues that personal jurisdiction is properly exercised over defendants because they owe plaintiff in quantum meruit for legal services rendered on their behalf. Plaintiff contends that defendants\u2019 implied promise to pay for legal services provided by plaintiff is demonstrated by the fact that defendants \u201cnever told [plaintiff] to stop representing their interests[.]\u201d However, the record is devoid of evidence that defendants had ever granted plaintiff permission to represent them in the first place. Plaintiff essentially argues that its unsolicited letters to defendants established a contractual arrangement, making it defendants\u2019 responsibility to amend or terminate their \u201crepresentation.\u201d The letters provide no factual basis for this position. As discussed above, each of the letters makes clear that legal representation was contingent upon the parties reaching an agreement. We conclude that plaintiffs letters to defendants in no way justified plaintiff in assuming that defendants had chosen to hire the firm on appeal. We further conclude that in the absence of any evidence of an express or implied contract between plaintiff and defendants, plaintiff has no right to recovery in quantum meruit. See Twiford v. Waterfield, 240 N.C. 582, 585, 83 S.E.2d 548, 551 (1954) (to recover in quantum meruit \u201cplaintiff must show by the greater weight of the evidence that both parties, at the time the labor was done or the services were rendered, contemplated and intended that pecuniary recompense should be made for the same\u201d); Thomas v. Thomas, 102 N.C. App. 124, 125, 401 S.E.2d 396, 397 (1991) (\u201cRecovery on quantum meruit must rest upon implied contract.\u201d).\nIndeed, absent permission, plaintiff had no authority or right to represent defendants. Dunkley v. Shoemate, 350 N.C. 573, 577, 515 S.E.2d 442, 444 (1999) (\u201c \u2018no person has the right to appear as another\u2019s attorney without the authority to do so, granted by the party for which he [or she] is appearing\u2019 \u201d) (quoting Johnson v. Amethyst Corp., 120 N.C. App. 529, 532, 463 S.E.2d 397, 400 (1995)); Stamm v. Salomon, 144 N.C. App. 672, 682, 551 S.E.2d 152, 159 (2001) (where \u201c[n]othing in the record suggests that [defendant] gave his former attorneys permission to further represent him . . . his former counsel was without authority to make motions on his behalf\u2019), disc. review denied, 355 N.C. 216, 560 S.E.2d 139 (2002). We conclude that plaintiff\u2019s assertion of a right to recover in quantum meruit does not advance its contention that defendants were subject to personal jurisdiction in North Carolina.\nPlaintiff further contends that defendants \u201cauthorized and ratified [plaintiff\u2019s] work[.]\u201d To support this assertion, plaintiff points out that defendants forwarded federal bankruptcy exemption forms to Hedges when requested to do so by Patton Boggs. The record shows that the bankruptcy forms were prepared by, and provided to, defendants by Patton Boggs attorneys. A Patton Boggs attorney mailed the forms to defendants, accompanied by a letter on Patton Boggs stationary, directing defendants to sign the forms and to forward them in the enclosed stamped and pre-addressed envelope. We conclude that the forwarding of these forms does not constitute \u201cauthorization\u201d for plaintiff law firm to provide appellate representation, particularly as the bankruptcy exemption forms did not pertain to their appeal from the jury verdict.\nWe also reject plaintiff\u2019s argument that Forman & Zuckerman v. Schupak, 31 N.C. App. 62, 228 S.E.2d 503 (1976), \u201cinvolv[es] almost identical facts\u201d and thus \u201cis controlling in this case.\u201d Although both cases address the issue of personal jurisdiction, the evidence in Schupak showed that \u201cdefendants sought out plaintiff to assist them in performance of professional services[;] . . . defendants supervised the work product of plaintiff;... [and] otherwise directly participated in the legal services being performed[.]\u201d Schupak, 31 N.C. App. at 66, 228 S.E.2d at 506. Because pertinent facts in Schupak regarding the exercise of personal jurisdiction are entirely different from those presented on the record before us, the case has little or no bearing on the decision herein.\nIn sum, we conclude that \u201cthe bulk of [plaintiff\u2019s] allegations consist merely of a recitation of unilateral activity on its part, which is insufficient to establish minimum contacts.\u201d Time Share Vacation Club v. Atlantic Resorts, Ltd., 735 F.2d 61, 65 (3d Cir. 1984). As expressed by the South Carolina Supreme Court:\nEvery communication between the parties was initiated by [plaintiff.] ... If the \u2018minimum contacts inquiry can be manipulated to create personal jurisdiction where an in-state resident manufactures contacts between its home forum and a nonresident entity by means of its own extraterritorial inducements, then very little legal predictability remains to enable potential defendants to structure their primary conduct with some minimum assurance as to where that conduct will subject them to suit.\u2019\nAviation Associates v. Jet Time, Inc., 303 S.C. 502, 508-09, 402 S.E.2d 177, 180 (1991) (quoting Wells American Corp. v. Sunshine Electronics, 717 F. Supp. 1121, 1125, n.3 (D.S.C. 1989)).\nWe conclude that the record supports the presumed finding of fact made by the trial court in its order dismissing this case for lack of personal jurisdiction over defendants. \u201cAlthough we are cognizant of the liberal trend toward exercising personal jurisdiction over nonresident defendants, the minimum contacts which are \u2018absolutely necessary\u2019 between the defendant and our [S]tate for North Carolina to invoke jurisdiction are missing here.\u201d Filmar Racing, 141 N.C. App. at 673, 541 S.E.2d at 737-38 (quoting Tutterrow v. Leach, 107 N.C. App. 703, 708, 421 S.E.2d 816, 819 (1992)).\nThe trial court did not err by dismissing plaintiff\u2019s action for lack of personal jurisdiction. Accordingly, the trial court\u2019s order dismissing plaintiff\u2019s action is\nAffirmed.\nJudge WYNN dissents.\nJudge TIMMONS-GOODSON concurs in result.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "LEVINSON, Judge."
      },
      {
        "text": "WYNN, Judge\ndissenting.\nBecause I disagree with the majority\u2019s holding that in this case, the \u201cminimum contacts which are absolutely necessary between the defendant and our state for North Carolina to invoke jurisdiction are missing,\u201d I respectfully dissent.\nThe majority correctly states the two-part analysis required for determining the existence of personal jurisdiction:\nFirst, the North Carolina long-arm statute must permit the exercise of personal jurisdiction. Second, the exercise of personal jurisdiction must comport with the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.\nI agree with the majority\u2019s conclusion that the requirements of the North Carolina long-arm statute have been met. However, I disagree with the majority\u2019s resolution of the due process analysis.\nIn a lengthy analysis, the majority narrowly focuses its personal jurisdiction due process inquiry to the defendants\u2019 relationship with the plaintiff excluding all of defendants\u2019 other related contacts with our State. Indeed, \u201cthere is no requirement that the cause of action, pursuant to which the jurisdictional claim is raised, be related to the activities of the defendant which give rise to the in personam jurisdiction.\u201d Hankins v. Somers, 39 N.C. App. 617, 621, 251 S.E.2d 640, 643 (1979) (quoting Munchak Corp. v. Riko Enterprises, Inc., 368 F. Supp. 1366, 1372 (M.D.N.C. 1973)); see also, ETR Corporation v. Wilson Welding Service, Inc., 96 N.C. App. 666, 386 S.E.2d 766 (1990) (where this Court considered activities related and unrelated to the legal action in that case to determine whether a basis for in per-sonam jurisdiction existed).\n\u201cIn determining whether the exercise of personal jurisdiction comports with due process, the crucial inquiry is whether the defendant has certain minimum contacts with the forum state such that the maintenance of the suit does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice. To generate minimum contacts, the defendant must have acted in such a way so as to purposefully avail itself of the privilege of conducting activities within the forum state, thus invoking the benefits and protections of the laws of North Carolina. Moreover, the relationship between the defendant and the state must be such that the defendant should reasonably anticipate being haled into a North Carolina court.\u201d Filmar Racing, Inc. v. Stewart, 141 N.C. App. 668, 671-72, 541 S.E.2d 733, 736-37 (2001). \u201cThe existence of minimum contacts cannot be ascertained by mechanical rules, but rather by consideration of the facts of each case in light of traditional notions of fair play and justice. The factors to be considered are (1) quantity of contacts, (2) nature and quality of the contacts, (3) the source and connection of the cause of action to the contacts, (4) the interest of the forum state, and (5) convenience to the parties.\u201d Marion v. Long, 72 N.C. App. 585, 587, 325 S.E.2d 300, 302 (1985).\nIn this case, the defendants had several contacts with North Carolina such that it would not be unreasonable for them to anticipate being haled into the courts of this State. Significantly, the defendants hired two other North Carolina law firms to represent them in North Carolina courts. The defendants hired Patton Boggs L.L.P., a law firm with offices in Greensboro and Raleigh, to represent them in the Eastern District of North Carolina. During this trial, the federal district court denied defendants\u2019 motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction and the trial resulted in a $21,000,000 verdict against defendants. Steven Hedges, one of the trial attorneys, joined the plaintiff law firm after the trial in the Eastern District of North Carolina and in his sworn statement, Mr. Hedges alleges he handled several matters in defendants\u2019 appeal. Defendants contend they did not hire Mr. Hedges or the plaintiff law firm to handle any appellate matters. Rather, they hired another North Carolina law firm, the Raleigh office of Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore to prosecute their appeal. The plaintiff alleges it assisted in the prosecution of defendants\u2019 appeal by handling several matters including filing a motion and preparing and filing the docketing statement.\nI would hold that the requirements of due process are satisfied in this case. By their business activities including retaining two law firms in this State to represent them on the underlying matters giving rise to this action, defendants have \u201cpurposefully [availed themselves] of the privilege of conducting activities within [North Carolina], thus invoking the benefits and protections of its laws.\u201d Hanson v. Denckla, 357 U.S. 235, 253 (1958), see also, ETR Corporation v. Wilson Welding Service, Inc., 96 N.C. App. 666, 386 S.E.2d 766 (1990).",
        "type": "dissent",
        "author": "WYNN, Judge"
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Adams, Kleemeier, Hagan, Hannah & Fonts, by J. Alexander S. Barrett, for plaintiff-appellant.",
      "Davis & Harwell, P.A., by Fred R. Harwell, Jr., and Caleigh H. Evans, for defendants-appellees David Queller and Ira Bom."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "ADAMS, KLEEMEIER, HAGAN, HANNAH & FOUTS, PLLC, Plaintiff v. ROBERT JACOBS and ELLIOT JACOBS and DAVID QUELLER and IRA BORN, Defendants\nNo. COA02-789\n(Filed 17 June 2003)\nJurisdiction\u2014 personal \u2014 minimum contacts \u2014 legal representation\nThe trial court did not err by dismissing, based on lack of personal jurisdiction, plaintiff law firm\u2019s breach of contract and quantum meruit action arising out of nonresident defendants\u2019 alleged failure to pay plaintiff for legal services performed for defendants on appeal, because: (1) plaintiff\u2019s unsolicited letters to defendants that expressly conditioned representation upon defendant\u2019s agreement to plaintiff\u2019s financial terms do not establish the existence of an implied contract for legal representation when defendants neither responded to these letters nor sent plaintiff any money; (2) in the absence of any evidence of an express or implied contract between plaintiff and defendants, plaintiff has no right to recovery in quantum meruit; and (3) the bulk of plaintiff\u2019s allegations consist of a recitation of unilateral activity on its part which are insufficient to establish minimum contacts.\nJudge Wynn dissenting.\nAppeal by plaintiff-appellant from order entered 20 March 2002 by Judge L. Todd Burke in Guilford County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 19 February 2003.\nAdams, Kleemeier, Hagan, Hannah & Fonts, by J. Alexander S. Barrett, for plaintiff-appellant.\nDavis & Harwell, P.A., by Fred R. Harwell, Jr., and Caleigh H. Evans, for defendants-appellees David Queller and Ira Bom."
  },
  "file_name": "0376-01",
  "first_page_order": 406,
  "last_page_order": 420
}
