International Shoe Co. v. Washington

Facts

International Shoe Co. was sued in Washington state for recovery of unpaid unemployment contributions to the state unemployment compensation fund, based on provisions of the state’s Unemployment Compensation Act. Personal service was made on a company salesman employed by International Shoe Co. in Washington state, and by mailing a copy of the notice to the company’s principal place of business, in Missouri. International Shoe Co. objected to service upon it, claiming that jurisdiction over it was lacking because its activities in Washington were not sufficient to constitute its presence in the state. International Shoe had no office in Washington, made no contracts there, had no inventory there, and did not deliver goods in intrastate commerce. International Shoe did employ 11 to 13 salesman who lived and worked in Washington state. The administrative authority (state office of unemployment) upheld jurisdiction; the lower state court and the Supreme Court of Washington affirmed. International Shoe appealed, claiming that its due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and the commerce clause were infringed.