North Carolina Business Court Sides with Phelps’ Client in Dispute

Phelps secured the dismissal of various claims against a firm client, a Wyoming lawyer, in a complex business suit.

The North Carolina Business Court dismissed the case on November 7, 2025, citing a lack of specific jurisdiction.   

In this case, the estate of a former client sued our client and other persons and business entities for breach of fiduciary duties and various tort claims related to the establishment of trusts and tax shelters. 

The court found our client’s ties to North Carolina too weak to support jurisdiction. Our client did not solicit business in the state, and most legal and trustee services occurred elsewhere. The court emphasized that incidental contact with North Carolina residents does not establish jurisdiction. It ruled that plaintiffs failed to show our client purposefully engaged with the state in a way that connected to their claims.

The Phelps team included Raleigh partner Jonathan Hall and associate Tyler Radtke.