James H. Obrien v. Lanpar Company

The question is whether an Illinois court had jurisdiction over a defaulting Texas corporation when it rendered an in personam judgment against the nonresident Texas corporation. Plaintiff James H. OBrien, an Illinois attorney, sued defendant Lanpar Company in Illinois and obtained a judgment for $2,848.25 and costs. Lanpar is a Texas corporation and was served with process in Texas. Plaintiff then brought suit in Texas upon that judgment and the trial court sustained defendants motion for summary judgment, holding that the Illinois judgment was not entitled to full faith and credit in Texas. The Court of Civil Appeals affirmed the judgment of the trial court. 391 S.W.2d 483. We reverse the judgments below.