Two years ago, the Nevada Supreme Court in an en band decision held that a state district court may exercise jurisdiction over the nonresident officers and directors of a Nevada corporation with its principal place of business in Spain. Consipio Holding, BV v. Carlberg, 282 P.3d 751 (Nev. 2012). The Supreme Court reasoned
When officers or directors directly harm a Nevada corporation, they are harming a Nevada citizen. By purposefully directing harm towards a Nevada citizen, officers and directors establish contacts with Nevada and “affirmatively direct [] conduct” toward Nevada.
At the time, Nevada, unlike Delaware, had no implied consent statute. Thus, the Nevada Supreme Court’s holding was based on Nevada’s long-arm statute, NRS 14.065(1).
In the ensuing session, the Nevada legislature decided to address the issue as well by enacting an implied consent statute:
Every nonresident of this State who, on or after October 1, 2013, accepts election or appointment, including reelection or reappointment, as a management person of an entity, or who, on or after October 1, 2014, serves in such capacity, and every resident of this State who accepts election or appointment or serves in such capacity and thereafter removes residence from this State shall be deemed, by the acceptance or by the service, to have consented to the appointment of the registered agent of the entity as an agent upon whom service of process may be made in all civil actions or proceedings brought in this State by, on behalf of or against the entity in which the management person is a necessary or proper party, or in any action or proceeding against the management person for a violation of a duty in such capacity, whether or not the person continues to serve as the management person at the time the action or proceeding is commenced. The acceptance or the service by the management person shall be deemed to be signification of the consent of the management person that any process so served has the same legal force and validity as if served upon the management person within this State.
NRS 75.160(1). Under the statute, an “entity” means a corporation, whether or not for profit; limited-liability company; limited partnership; or a business trust. NRS 78.160(10)(b). A “management person” means a director, officer, manager, managing member, general partner or trustee of an entity. NRS 75.160(10)(c).
Apparently, the Nevada legislature did not consult with Professor Eric Chiappinelli who last year published an article arguing that Delaware’s implied consent statute was unconstitutional. The Myth of Director Consent: After Shaffer, Beyond Nicastro, 37 Del. J. Corp. L. 783 (2013).
Why does the statute refer to October 1? Pursuant to NRS 218D.330(1), each law and joint resolution passed by the Legislature becomes effective on October 1 following its passage, unless the law or joint resolution specifically prescribes a different effective date.
