What does the term "essentially at home" refer to in terms of general jurisdiction?

The term "essentially at home" in the context of general jurisdiction indicates that a corporation can be subject to the personal jurisdiction of a state if it has established systematic and continuous affiliations with that state. This concept is pivotal in determining where a corporation can be sued for actions that occur outside the state, emphasizing the importance of the extent and nature of a corporation's connections to a location.

General jurisdiction allows a court to hear any case against a defendant, regardless of where the underlying events occurred, as long as the defendant is "at home" in the forum state. For corporations, this generally means being incorporated in the state or having its principal place of business there. Systematic and continuous affiliations capture this idea of being integrated significantly into the state’s economy or community. Such connections could include having a substantial number of employees, participating in local business operations, or maintaining a physical presence that fosters strong ties to the state.

Other choices, while they may touch on aspects of jurisdiction, do not encapsulate the comprehensive nature of "essentially at home." Simply having a permanent office or the main business located in the state might not fully represent the breadth of connections required for general jurisdiction. Similarly, focusing on the personal relationships of corporate executives might miss the more substantive