Margaret Watherston, Inc. v. Forman

On this motion to dismiss the question is whether the activities of the nonresident defendants constituted the transaction of any business in New York (CCA, § 404, subd. [a], par. 1; CPLR 302, .subd. [a], par. 1). It is a familiar question but presented in an apparently novel or at least undetermined setting.

Defendants are from Chicago and the owners of a valuable painting which they shipped to plaintiff in New York for restoration. Defendants’ only other contacts with New York were certain phone calls and letters initiating and during the course of the work. Defendants are now refusing to…