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BNSF Ry. Co. v. Tyrrell Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: A railroad company with significant operations in Montana was sued there for injuries occurring elsewhere. The Supreme Court held that Montana lacked general personal jurisdiction because the railroad, while doing business in the state, was not “at home” there.
Legal Significance: The case reinforces the restrictive “at home” standard for general personal jurisdiction established in Daimler, clarifying that substantial, continuous business activity alone is insufficient. It also holds that the Federal Employers’ Liability Act’s (FELA) venue provision does not create a special jurisdictional rule for railroads.
BNSF Ry. Co. v. Tyrrell Law School Study Guide
Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.
Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
Two railroad employees sued BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) in Montana state court under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) for injuries sustained on the job. Neither plaintiff resided in Montana, nor did their injuries arise from or relate to any work performed in Montana. BNSF, a large interstate railroad, was incorporated in Delaware and had its principal place of business in Texas. While BNSF conducted significant business in Montana—maintaining over 2,000 miles of track and employing more than 2,000 workers there—these operations constituted a relatively small percentage of its nationwide activities (e.g., about 6% of its total track mileage and less than 5% of its workforce). BNSF moved to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. The Montana Supreme Court, consolidating the cases, found that it could exercise general personal jurisdiction. It reasoned that FELA’s venue provision, 45 U.S.C. § 56, authorized jurisdiction wherever a railroad was “doing business.” Alternatively, it held that BNSF was “found within” Montana under state law and that the due process limits of Daimler AG v. Bauman did not apply to FELA claims against railroads.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does the Federal Employers’ Liability Act’s venue provision confer personal jurisdiction over a railroad in any state where it does business, and if not, does the Due Process Clause permit a state to exercise general personal jurisdiction over a corporation that has substantial in-state operations but is not incorporated or headquartered there?
No. The Court reversed the Montana Supreme Court, holding that FELA § Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse c
IRAC Legal Analysis
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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.
Legal Issue
Does the Federal Employers’ Liability Act’s venue provision confer personal jurisdiction over a railroad in any state where it does business, and if not, does the Due Process Clause permit a state to exercise general personal jurisdiction over a corporation that has substantial in-state operations but is not incorporated or headquartered there?
Conclusion
This decision solidifies the narrow scope of general personal jurisdiction post-*Daimler*, making Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ulla
Legal Rule
The Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA), 45 U.S.C. § 56, addresses federal Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetu
Legal Analysis
The Court's analysis proceeded in two parts. First, it addressed the statutory Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in volupta
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- FELA § 56 is a federal venue and subject-matter jurisdiction statute;