Court of Appeals of North Carolina February 18, 2003, COA02-429 (Harold Lang Jewelers, Inc. v. Johnson)

HUDSON, Judge.

Appellant Harold Lang Jewelers, Inc. (“Lang”), a Florida corporation, filed suit against the appellees (“Johnson”). As one of its affirmative defenses, Johnson argued that Lang could not sue in a North Carolina court because Lang was transacting business in the state without a certificate of authority to do so. The trial court agreed and dismissed the suit prior to trial.