American Telephone & Telegraph Co. v. Compagnie Bruxelles Lambert

AT&T appeals the dismissal of its CERC-LA claim against Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, S.A. (“GBL”), the former parent corporation of a company whose operations caused environmental contamination at a site near Bakersfield, California. AT&T contends the district court erred by finding GBL was not *588 subject to personal jurisdiction. 1 We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and affirm.

I.

This appeal stems from CERCLA litigation regarding a metal reclamation facility operated by defendant Keystone Resources, Inc. (“Keystone”). Keystone’s Bakersfield facility, which treated and disposed of metal for AT&T, operated on land leased from plaintiff John Chrisman. Defendant GBL, a Belgian holding company, indirectly owned 80 percent of Keystone’s stock. AT&T contends this ownership interest, coupled with GBL’s alleged “total control” over Keystone, establishes personal jurisdiction over GBL.

GBL has its principal place of business in Brussels, conducts no business in the United States and had no direct involvement in operating the Bakersfield reclamation facility. GBL’s wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, the Lambert Brussels Group (“LBC”), bought 80 percent of Keystone’s stock in…