Wading Through the Stream of Commerce: When Can Foreign Manufacturers Expect to be Subject to Specific Jurisdiction in United States Courts?

Alan Schwartz is co-chair of the Product Liability practice group at Wiggin and Dana. He has particular experience in the area of pharmaceutical defense. Mr. Schwartz has been on the national defense teams in litigations involving several wellknown prescription drugs. He has also served as Connecticut and regional defense counsel for pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies. In addition to pharmaceutical and medical device matters, Mr. Schwartz’ practice includes cases involving beer kegs, seatbacks, welding rods, hair dyes, benzene exposure, contaminated IV solutions, and grinding wheels. He is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Defense Research Institute. Kevin Smith is a partner at Wiggin and Dana and co-chairs the Product Liability practice group with Mr. Schwartz. He focuses on aviation, product liability, and business litigation. Mr. Smith has counseled and defended product designers, manufacturers, sellers, owners, operators, and insurers in the aviation, pharmaceutical, and other industries. Mr. Smith also has represented business clients in commercial disputes and consumer class actions involving unfair and deceptive trade practices, antitrust, and other business tort claims. The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of Wiggin and Dana associate Adam Farbiarz and summer clerk Christina Colon Williams to the preparation of this article.