Rice Growers Assn. v. First National Bank

This is an appeal from the trial court’s orders granting motions to quash service of process for lack of personal jurisdiction and/or for improper venue.

The litigation at hand revolves around the construction of an allegedly defective ocean-going vessel built elsewhere, but primarily used in California. Plaintiff, Rice Growers Association of California (hereafter RGA or appellant), is a California agricultural cooperative corporation with its principal place of business in West Sacramento, California. RGA, which is comprised of approximately 2,000 rice growers throughout California, deals in the milling, processing and marketing of California rice in both domestic and foreign commerce. Defendants to the action are several California and out-of-state corporations. The California defendants are: DeLaval Turbine, Inc. (DeLaval); Bulk Food Carriers, Inc. (BFC); Intercoastal Bulk Carriers, Inc. (IBC); Security Pacific Leasing Corporation (Security Pacific); and Crocker National Bank (Crocker). The nonresident defendants are: First National Bank of Minneapolis (FNB); Connecticut Bank and Trust Company (CBT); Breit Engineering, Inc. (Breit); Southern Shipbuilding Corporation…