889 F. Supp. 2d 912
S.D. Tex.2012Background
- Plaintiff Weisskopf, a Wisconsin resident, sues in EDTX under ATS and TVPA for alleged Israeli family-law abuses.
- Defendants: UJA-Federation of NY (nonprofit), El Paso E&P Co., L.P., and Kinder Morgan; plaintiff claims they funded or facilitated abuses.
- Court transferred the case from EDTX to SDTX in 2011; Defendants moved to dismiss under 12(b)(1), 12(b)(2), 12(b)(6).
- Plaintiff is not an alien, and the complaint alleges claims of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity and torture; corporate liability under ATS is contested.
- Court grants dismissal for lack of subject-matter and personal jurisdiction over UJA-Federation, and for failure to state ATS/TVPA claims; amendment denied.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal jurisdiction over UJA-Federation? | Weisskopf argues UJA-Federation has Texas contacts through investments and activities. | UJA-Federation lacks purposeful Texas contacts; no agency or veil-piercing basis. | No personal jurisdiction over UJA-Federation. |
| Subject-matter jurisdiction under the ATS? | Plaintiff asserts ATS jurisdiction despite alien status. | Plaintiff is not an alien; ATS requires alien plaintiffs. | ATS jurisdiction lacking; suit dismissed. |
| ATS corporate-liability and standard of pleading? | Plaintiff contends corporate liability under ATS may apply. | Kiobel and Sosa limit corporate liability; no adequate pleading of purposeful conduct. | ATS claims dismissed; Kiobel not necessary to decide but supports dismissal. |
| TVPA claims viability? | TVPA claims potentially applicable; plaintiff seeks relief for torture. | Mohamad bars corporate liability; aiding-and-abetting not recognized; no torture adequately pleaded. | TVPA claims dismissed. |
| Proposed amendment would be futile? | Amendment would cure defects and add parties. | Amendment would not cure standing/Jurisdiction or failure to state claims. | Amendment denied; futile. |
Key Cases Cited
- Beanal v. Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., 197 F.3d 161 (5th Cir.1999) (ATS standing—aliens required for jurisdiction)
- Sosa v. Alvarez-Machain, 542 U.S. 692 (U.S. 2004) (requires a norm of international character with specific scope)
- Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., 621 F.3d 111 (2d Cir.2010) (corporate liability under ATS not recognized (in 2d Cir.))
- Mohamad v. Palestinian Authority, 132 S. Ct. 1702 (U.S. 2012) (corporations cannot be liable under TVPA; only individuals)
- Abecassis v. Wyatt, 704 F. Supp. 2d 623 (S.D. Tex.2010) (dismissing ATS for lack of purposeful conduct)
- Revell v. Lidov, 317 F.3d 467 (5th Cir.2002) (website contacts insufficient for general jurisdiction)