Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated v. Costa Lecopulos, A/K/A Constantinos Lecopulos

FEINBERG, Circuit Judge:

In this appeal we consider whether a foreign defendant’s commercial involvement with a New York plaintiff obliges the foreign party to defend a claim against him in New York. Plaintiff is Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Merrill Lynch), a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business in New York. Defendant is Costa Lecopulos, a Greek citizen and resident. Judge John M. Cannella of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed Merrill Lynch’s complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction over Lecopulos. We…