Under what circumstances does specific jurisdiction apply?

Specific jurisdiction applies when a defendant's actions in the forum state give rise to the plaintiff's claims. This means that the court may exercise jurisdiction over an out-of-state defendant if the legal action is directly connected to the defendant's activities within the state. For instance, if a defendant conducts business, sells products, or commits a tort in the forum state, and these actions result in the plaintiff's injury or claims, the court can assert specific jurisdiction over the defendant.

This principle ensures that litigants can hold defendants accountable in jurisdictions where their actions have had a significant impact. The connection between the defendant’s conduct in the forum state and the legal claim is critical to establishing this type of jurisdiction, as opposed to jurisdiction based solely on the residency of the plaintiff or general contacts that do not relate specifically to the claim at hand.