How is "personal jurisdiction" primarily established?

Personal jurisdiction is primarily established through substantial connections to the forum state. This concept is rooted in the principle that a court must have a legitimate reason to assert authority over a party. Substantial connections can include various factors, such as the defendant's residency, their activities within the state, or the nature of the relationship between the defendant and the state. For instance, if a defendant conducts business, owns property, or has engaged in significant transactions within the forum state, a court in that state may justify exercising personal jurisdiction.

Other choices focus on aspects that do not directly establish personal jurisdiction. The defendant's geographical location at trial may be relevant to venue but does not inherently confer jurisdiction. Awareness of court rules by the defendant does not affect jurisdiction; instead, it relates to procedural knowledge and compliance. Similarly, the nature of the legal claim might influence other aspects of a case but does not inherently affect whether a court can assert personal jurisdiction over a defendant.