LEWIN v. FOUR SEASONS SOLAR PRODUCTS CORP (1999)

In an action to enforce a judgment entered in the United States District Court, District of South Carolina, dated June 18, 1997, in an action entitled Lewin v. Southerland, Case Number 2:96-3713-23, upon the default of the defendants in that action in appearing or answering, the defendant appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, Suffolk County (Floyd, J.), dated May 5, 1998, which granted the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment in lieu of a complaint.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with costs.

 The plaintiffs seek to enforce a judgment entered in the United States District Court, District of South Carolina, dated June 18, 1997, in an action entitled Lewin v. Southerland, Case Number 2:96-3713-21, upon the default of the defendants in that action in appearing or answering.   This court must afford full faith and credit to Federal judgments (see, Union Commerce Leasing Corp. v. Kanbar, 155 A.D.2d 396, 548 N.Y.S.2d 22;  Keeton v. Hustler Magazine (2nd Cir.), 815 F.2d 857;  cf., 28 USC § 1738).   Contrary to the defendant's contention, the District Court properly found that it had sufficient “minimum contacts” (International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 316, 66 S.Ct. 154, 90 L.Ed. 95), with the State of South Carolina to authorize the exercise of personal jurisdiction over it (see, ESAB Group v. Centricut (4th Cir.), 126 F.3d 617, cert. denied 523 U.S. 1048, 118 S.Ct. 1364, 140 L.Ed.2d 513;  Stover v. O'Connell Assocs. (4th Cir.), 84 F.3d 132, 135-136, cert. denied 519 U.S. 983, 117 S.Ct. 437, 136 L.Ed.2d 334).   The defendant maintains franchises in South Carolina, advertises in South Carolina, and maintains contact with and solicits business from residents of South Carolina (see, Hardy v. Pioneer Parachute Co. (4th Cir.), 531 F.2d 193).  Thus, the District Court properly asserted personal jurisdiction over the defendant, and the judgment of the District Court was validly rendered.

MEMORANDUM BY THE COURT.