Practical systems for studying, writing, careers, and law-school life.
General jurisdiction is all-purpose power. For individuals it ordinarily follows domicile; for corporations it is usually limited to incorporation and the principal place of business.
Specific jurisdiction is case-linked power. The defendant must create forum contacts, the claim must connect to those contacts, and exercising jurisdiction must be reasonable.
Purposeful availment changes shape across recurring fact patterns. Contracts emphasize continuing obligations, torts emphasize forum targeting, and internet cases emphasize actual audience and commercial conduct.
Section 1331 opens federal court when the plaintiff's properly pleaded claim arises under federal law. A federal defense, counterclaim, or background issue ordinarily does not do the job.
A small category of state-law claims can arise under federal law when a federal issue is necessary, disputed, substantial to the federal system, and compatible with the federal-state balance.