Atchison v. IPC Industries, Inc.
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McNeese Title, LLC, a Florida limited liability company owned and operated by Richard McNeese, and Richard McNeese and Peggy Owens petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to direct the circuit court to vacate its order denying their motions to dismiss the action filed against them by James Atchison, and to enter an order dismissing the action for lack of in personam jurisdiction. This dispute arose out of Atchison's purchase of two residential lots in the Villa Lago subdivision, which was originally a 14-acre tract of land in the Golf and Beach Resort of Sandestin, Florida. According to Atchison, purchase agreements were sent to him by the "developers," who, he says, "developed, marketed and sold the lots" in the subdivision. Mr. Atchison signed a "compliance agreement limited power of attorney," designating Richard McNeese or Ms. Owens as Atchison's "attorney in fact for [his] use and benefit, ... for the purpose of ... signing or initialing on [his] behalf, any and all documents affecting the closing or refinance of the [lots]." The closing was held in 2005, however, many of the other lots in the subdivision had not closed, contrary to the purchase agreements. Eventually, Atchison sued a number of individuals and entities, including C-D Jones, 331 Partners, McNeese, and Owens, alleging that he had suffered damage as a result of activities conducted by C-D Jones and 331 Partners after the closing. McNeese and Owens unsuccessfully moved to dismiss the action for lack of personal jurisdiction. Upon review, the Supreme Court concluded that the circuit court lacked jurisdiction over the McNeeses and Ms. Owens. Accordingly, the Court granted their petition and issued the writ.
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