Croat v. Mission Fine Wine, Inc., 2020 U.S. Dist. Lexis 70145 (D.N.J. Apr. 21, 2020)

New Jersey lacks general or specific jurisdiction over a foreign corporation even when the employee lives in New Jersey and works one day a week from her home office.

The defendant corporation was organized under the laws of New York and had its principal place of business in Staten Island. After the plaintiff became pregnant, she was allowed to work one day a week from her home in New Jersey as an accommodation so that she could attend her pregnancy-related doctors appointments. After the plaintiff was terminated, she filed a claim in New Jersey state court and under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, although the action was later removed to federal court. The defendant successfully moved to have the complaint dismissed based upon a finding of a lack of specific or general jurisdiction in New Jersey and due to the court’s conclusion that the plaintiff’s residence and temporary limited work from home was insufficient to establish contacts.

 

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