{"argument_date":"2017-04-25T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2017-04-25T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","paragraphs":["Andrew Tulumello argued the Montana Supreme Court found general jurisdiction based on continuous business activity.","Saharsky argued the Court must determine if Section 56 or Montana law makes the defendant amenable to service.","Ms. Murray argued injured rail workers have sued negligent employers in any state where railroads do business for over a century."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 52-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 26-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 26-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 36-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 42-44"}]}],"caption":"BNSF R. Co. v. Tyrrell","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:21.575264Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"BNSF Railway seeks to limit where injured workers can sue. Workers argue Montana courts hold general jurisdiction over the company.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 52-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-6"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2017-04-25T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2016","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/16-405.html","primary_docket":"16-405","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T18:36:49.995941Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["BNSF Railway faces a lawsuit in Montana. The company argues Montana courts lack general jurisdiction. Workers claim the company's continuous business activity creates jurisdiction."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 52-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-6"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 25, 2017."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["BNSF wants the Court to reverse the lower court's jurisdiction finding.","Tyrrell wants the Court to affirm the lower court's jurisdiction finding."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 52-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-6"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["BNSF argues Montana law does not make the company amenable to service of process.","Tyrrell argues the company's continuous business activity in Montana creates general jurisdiction."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 52-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-6"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan asked if service-of-process language is an absolute necessity.","Justice Alito asked how the company responds to claims that its position creates industry chaos."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 26-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 26-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 36-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 42-44"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines where companies face general jurisdiction. It determines if continuous business activity alone grants courts power over unrelated claims. The outcome shapes the geographic reach of state court authority over large corporations."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 52-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-6"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 8-12","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 8-12"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 26-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 26-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 36-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 10-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 10-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 40-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 40-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 4-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 42-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 42-44"}]}],"slug":"2016-16-405-bnsf-r-co-v-tyrrell","term":"2016","title":"Does a railroad's continuous business activity in a state grant courts there general jurisdiction over unrelated claims?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 52-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 52-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2016/16-405_9olb.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-6"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}