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Goldman v. Simpson (Cal. Ct. App. - Feb. 20, 2008)

By Shaun Martin

Yes, that Goldman. And that Simpson.

But don't think that this is some sexy, media-friendly opinion. It's not. It's about personal jurisdiction over the renewal of money judgments. Which is admittedly exciting for civil procedure types like myself. But for most (regular) people, not so much.

Justice Willhite writes a nice, short, well-written, and entirely correct opinion. I couldn't have authored a better -- or even equal -- one myself. It's exceptionally good. I also liked that he made no reference at all to the high-profile nature of either the case or the participants. As far as you could tell from the opinion, this is a run-of-the-mill case that just so happens to involve one of the many anonymous people in this world called Orenthal James Simpson.

Anyway, on the merits, Justice Willhite is clearly and unambiguously right that California has personal jurisdiction to renew a money judgment as an extension of the original jurisdiction over the tort. And all the other things that Justice Willhite says are entirely correct as well. So Simpson loses. And accordingly doesn't get to hawk autographs and the like -- or at least benefit financially therefrom -- for another 10 years.

Which is totally fine in my book.

Full post as published by California Appellate Report on February 20, 2008 (boomark / email).