Rule 4(k)

This lesson explores the various ways that a federal court can acquire personal jurisdiction over defendants, both with and without the use of a state long-arm statute.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the significance of state long-arm statutes to federal courts.
2. List the occasions in which federal courts do not need to rely on state law to acquire personal jurisdiction.
3. Explain the ways in which the constitution constrains federal courts' assertions of personal jurisdiction differently than state courts.