In Rogers v. Law, the United States Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a state court had jurisdiction over a case involving two citizens of different states. The plaintiff, an Ohio citizen, brought suit against the defendant in Virginia for breach of contract. The defendant argued that since he and the plaintiff were from different states, only federal courts could hear such cases under Article III of the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court held that state courts did have jurisdiction over such matters as long as they followed certain procedural rules set out by Congress in 1875's Judiciary Act. This ruling established precedent for future cases involving diversity jurisdiction between citizens of different states and allowed state courts to continue hearing these types of disputes without having to refer them exclusively to federal courts.

In Rogers v. Law, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a state court had jurisdiction over a case involving an alleged breach of contract between two citizens of different states. The majority opinion held that it did not have such jurisdiction and dismissed the case. Justice Nelson dissented from this decision, arguing that under Article III of the Constitution, Congress has granted federal courts exclusive original jurisdiction in cases where citizens of different states are involved in controversies regarding contracts or other matters arising out of those contracts. He argued further that if Congress had intended for state courts to exercise concurrent jurisdiction with federal courts on these matters then they would have explicitly stated so in their legislation granting power to the lower federal courts. In conclusion, he maintained that since no such language exists within any congressional act pertaining to this matter then it is clear that only federal district and circuit courts can hear cases concerning disputes between citizens from different states which involve contractual obligations or rights derived therefrom.