United States Sixth Circuit

State law, as opposed to federal law, controls the interpretation of a forum selection clause when the clause is raised as the sole basis for personal jurisdiction over the defendant. In an action brought to enforce a rental agreement between plaintiff's assignor and defendants, dismissal of the claim for lack of jurisdiction is affirmed on the grounds that a forum selection clause in the contract violates the public policy of Ohio and is unenforceable.

Appellate Information

• Decided 05/29/2007
• Published 05/29/2007

Judges

• Before:  MERRITT and MARTIN, Circuit Judges;  FORESTER, District Judge.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  Tamara A. O'Brien, Roderick Linton LLP, Akron, Ohio, for Appellant.  Holly Marie Wilson, Reminger & Reminger Co., L.P.A., Cleveland, Ohio, for Appellee.   ON BRIEF:  Tamara A. O'Brien, Roderick Linton LLP, Akron, Ohio, for Appellant.  Holly Marie Wilson, Reminger & Reminger Co., L.P.A., Cleveland, Ohio, for Appellee.