Szynalski

INTRODUCTION

Contending that the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction over him, defendant Alexander “Alex” Szynalski, pursuant to the writ of mandate procedure in Code of Civil Procedure section 418.10, subdivision (a)(1), challenges the trial court’s order denying his motion to quash service of a summons and complaint. Szynalski contested personal jurisdiction over him in another California case—a class action—but that issue was not decided because the case settled. As part of the court-approved settlement agreement in that case, a court-appointed administrator of the settlement was retained by the parties. Szynalski and his companies agreed to pay the expenses of the administrator and agreed that the California trial court would have continuing jurisdiction over the terms of the settlement agreement, including a dispute relating to the “administrator’s ability and need to perform its duties.” Respondent Los Angeles County Superior Court (respondent court), in approving the settlement, expressly retained jurisdiction “as to all matters relating [to] the administration ... of the Settlement Agreement.” The administrator has now brought an action against Szynalski for…