Stauffacher v. Lone Star Mud, Inc.

David Stauffacher appeals from the trial court’s denial of his special appearance. Lone Star Mud, Inc., sued Stauffacher and six other defendants, alleging that they failed to pay for services and materials that Lone Star provided for the drilling and operating of an oil well in Fannin County. Stauffacher, a Wisconsin resident, filed a special appearance along with an answer and special exceptions to Lone Star’s petition, both of which he made subject to his special appearance.

Stauffacher alleged that the trial court did not have jurisdiction over him because (1) he is not and has never been a Texas resident; (2) Lone Star’s suit did not arise out of his business in Texas; (3) he does not individually conduct business in Texas, and does not have an agent in Texas authorized to conduct business on his behalf; (4) he does not individually own property in Texas; (5) he had no personal involvement or individual interest in the subject matter of Lone Star’s suit; (6) he did not make any representation to Lone Star either in an individual or representative capacity, he did not negotiate or enter into any contract with Lone Star, he does not have an account with Lone Star, and he did not travel to Texas for any purpose related to Lone Star’s claim; and (7) he has not undertaken any act or transaction constituting minimum contacts with Texas, or otherwise acted in a way that would make the assumption of jurisdiction over him by the Texas court comport with the requirements of federal due process. In support of his special appearance, Stauffacher attached his affidavit, which detailed the extent of his contacts with Texas.