Singer v. Bell
Plaintiffs Steven and Dulce Singer, New York residents, sued multiple New Jersey residents, including Sheldon Liebowitz and his law firm, Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Clark, Esqs. The action stemmed from a New Jersey matrimonial litigation where Steven Singer failed to pay child support to his ex-wife, Emily Singer Bell. An arrest warrant was issued for Singer for $48,031 in arrearages. Plaintiffs alleged that other defendants lured Steven Singer to New Jersey, where he was arrested and detained, violating his constitutional rights (Fourth, Fifth, Fourteenth Amendments) and civil rights (42 U.S.C. §§ 1983, 1985). The specific defendants (Liebowitz and his firm) moved to dismiss the action against them, arguing lack of personal jurisdiction in New York as they do no business there and did not participate in the alleged luring scheme. Plaintiffs claimed jurisdiction under New York Civ.Prac.Law § 302(a)(2) or (3), asserting the defendants conspired with others who committed acts in New York. The court found that plaintiffs failed to make a prima facie showing of conspiracy and presented only speculation and conjecture without evidentiary facts. Therefore, the court granted the motion to dismiss the action against Liebowitz and his firm for lack of personal jurisdiction.