What does the "national contacts" theory propose regarding personal jurisdiction?

The "national contacts" theory proposes that courts may consider a defendant's nationwide contacts when determining personal jurisdiction. This theory expands the traditional view that jurisdiction is limited to the locality where the defendant resides or where the tortious conduct occurred. Instead, it recognizes that in today's interconnected society, a defendant's activities might have implications across state boundaries.

Under this approach, if a defendant engages in substantial and continuous activities that connect them to different states, a court in any of those states may have jurisdiction. This theory is particularly significant for cases involving businesses that operate on a national scale, where their actions in one state can affect residents or entities in multiple other states.

Thus, by considering nationwide contacts, courts can ensure that defendants can be held accountable for their actions in a way that reflects the reality of their business practices and interactions within the broader national marketplace.