Ranger Construction Industries, Inc. v. Allied World National Assurance Company
Filing
216
ORDER denying 185 Defendant's Motion to Disqualify Plaintiff's Counsel. Signed by Magistrate Judge William Matthewman on 2/4/2019. See attached document for full details. (kza)
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t t ha n ns anc om ny
t e s bl ntc pa e ii ton n
or ert a s r a c ai ofa t e c i ntpr vie
d o se t l m
tom y- le
i l ge. To t ext ntM ii z m ay have r le u n
he e
lnaz o
e i d po
Bank r l s.Co.f r t tpur t d hol ng,a t t e e Pl ntf Ra
es n
o ha
pore
di
nd o he xt nt ai i f ngerr i s on Bank r
ele
es
l .Co.t ur s hah di fom t sCoul,s hrla ei rj ce
ns
o ge uc ol ng r hi
' uc einc s ee td.
t
W ha t s r ,t o- ge Banke s I .Co.opi on s a e i as f low s
t he ho t w pa
r ns
ni t t s s o l :
How e r w e REVERSE t t i c t fndi t t a a t ne c i nt
ve ,
he ral our ' i ng ha n tor y- le
s
p i l ge a t c st c m uni a i be w e n t a l nta Geor K .Del no
r vie ta he o om
c tons t e he ppela nd
ge
a
wih r pec t t i tga i of t D e r m e ' e pl . The e de e
t es t o he nves i ton
he pa t nts m oyee
vi nc
dem ons r es t D el s
t at hat ano erves as t appelants s et y and gener counsel
he
l ' ecr ar
al
,
butt appelantpresent onl ar ent and no evi
he
l
ed y gum ,
dence,t he undert t
hat
ook he
i
nvestgaton of t D epart ents em pl
i i
he
m
'
oyee i hi prof onal capaciy as
n s
essi
t
general counsel or that he undert
,
ook t i
he nvestgat on i ant ci i of
i i n
i pat on
ltgaton i w hi t appelantw oul be a par y. .
ii i n
ch he
l
d
t ..
6
f a 729 ( a.Dit Ct App.2000)(
#. t -30 Fl s. .
emphassa d) l a ar t tt i ' i t bol
i dde . t ppe s ha he t ' n he d
or
s nt nc a
e e e bove hasbe n overooke by s e c t a by Pl i i f C l ry, he S ' l ngua
e
l d
om our s nd
a ntf . ea l t t ' a
or
ge
i Banke s I . Co. m ea t t a c por t i ur nce c pa c n cl m t ator y- le
n
r ns
ns ha
or a e ns a
om ny a ai he t ne c i nt
prvie i co elwas r t i or t ke w ih pr di a opi on i hi or he pr e s onal
i l ge f uns
e a ned
as d t ovi ng n ni n s
r of s i
c pac t as a a t ne pt i c
a iy
n tor y
f ouns ls i ve tg t o w a unde t ke i a i i ton of ltg ton.
e ' n si a i n s
ra n n ntc pa i
ii a i
..
Pl ntf ' ar entef ectvel changest (or't an kand' i Bankers I Co. som et ng t
ai if s gum
f i y
he û ' o
' 'n
ns. ,
hi he
Cour rj cs
t ee t.
M or
eover,i appear t t s Courtt t cours i t lne of cas f l ng M ii
t
s o hi
hat he
t n he i
es olowi
lnazzo
a Bank r I .Co.m a ha s e tm i i e pr t d t 1 w or c l t a w or pr uc
nd
e s ns
y ve om wha s nt r e e he a
onf a ed
k- od t
anal i w ih an ator clentprviegeanal s i t i ur
ys s t
t ney- i
i l
ysi n he ns ance com pany cont and over at
ext
st ed
t s gnii a e oft a i pa i ofltga i i s i r gar t a i ur nc c pa sc ai of
he i t c nc
he ntci ton ii ton s ue n e d o n ns a e om ny' l m
a t y- le prviege l f t a cl e r a ng ofM ii z o s
tonw c i nt i l . n ac , os e di
lna z hows t ti w asprm a iy a w or
ha t
i rl
k
pr
oductcas and onl s
e
y penta f paragr
ew
aphs di
scussng t abiiy of an i ance com pany t
i he lt
nsur
o
c a m a t ne cle plvie
l i tor y- i nt i l ge. 1 a 696- The Cour not t t M ii az o pr vi a
d. t
97.
t es ha
ln z
o des n
excelent w el- eas
l ,
lr oned f am ew or t anal t work- oduct prviege i an i ur
r
k o
yze he
pr
i l
n
ns ance
com pany cont and t s Cour has pr ousy r i upon M ii
ext,
hi
t
evi l eled
lnazzo' excelent and w els
l
l
r as d w or pr
e one
k oduc a ys s i de i ng ca es i vi cl i s ofw or pr
t nal i n c di
s nvol ng a m
k oduc by i ur nc
t ns a e
com pani See,e. ,Sun Ca t Part s,I v.Twi Cï.y Fie I Co. N o.12- l397- V ,
es.
g.
pial
ner nc.
n / r ns. ,
8
CI
201 W L 925701 a * ( D. a Dec 1 201 .Embr dmecom,I v Tr l sPrp.Cas
5
9, t 4 S. Fl. . 8, 5)
,
oi .
nc. . aveer o
.
Co.o q ,No.1 81 CI 201 W L 1
fvm.
2- 250- V, 3
209463 a *3 ( D.Fl Se .9,201 . Howe r
7, t S. a. pt
3)
ve,
t Courtsi pl cannot folow M ii
he
m y
l
lnazzo t t ext i r res t an i ance com pany
o he ent t equi hat
nsur
antci e ltga i i orderf t ator clentpri l t atach.
i pat ii ton n
or he t ney- i
viege o t
To cor ecty anal t s i ue,w e m us fr t go t t Fl i St ut on ator clent
r l
yze hi ss
t is
o he orda at e
t ney- i
7
pr vie e. Thi i be us s a e l pr de t r e ofde i i i di s t a tons s a t s
i lg
s s ca e t t aw ovi s he ul
c s on n ver iy c i , uch s hi
one, w her a part ass t t atorney- i pri l
e
y
ers he t
clent viege. See, e g. 1150 Bri l Assoc. 253
,
ckel
,
.
F. D .a 699,Fed.R .Evi 501 U nde t Fl i St t es a S i ' c n be a c po a i n.
R. t
.
d. .
r he or da a ut , i ent' a
cl
or r to
Fl Stt j90. l( . Thesaut dei ngator y-le prviegeas sae t taS int
a. a. 502( )b)
tt e tni t ne cint i l lo tts ha ç e
cl
ha a prvieg t r f e t di c os a t pr ve a ot r pe s f om di c os ng, he c e s
s i l e o e us o s l e, nd o e nt ny he r on r
s l i t ont nt
of c i n i lc m uni to w he s h ot pe s l a ne of t c m uni a i bec us
onfde t a om
ca i ns
n uc her r on e r d
he om
c ton a e
t yweema i t rndiinofl lsr c t t cle .' Fl St . 90. 2) Thesaut
he r de n he e to ega e vies o he int' a. atj 502( .
tt e
doesnotr quie t t a cor a i n- s h a an i ur nce c pany
e r ha
por to
uc s
ns a
om
--es a i h t ti a i i e
t bls ha t ntc pat d
ltga i n a t tm e i r t ne c
ii to t he i t e ai d ouns lorr c ve l gala ce i or r t i
e
e ei d e
dvi n de o nvoke t a t e
he tom yclentprviege.
i
i l
H owe r Fl i a f r ca e 1 ha s ewha ale e t a t ne c i ntprvie
ve , orda nd ede al s aw s om
t t r d he tor y- le
i l ge
a ys s f c por tons a ha he d t tcl i s ofa t ne cle prviege by c por tons a e
nal i or or a i
nd s l ha a m
tor y- i nt i l
or a i
r
s be tok eg tn ds r tn . Co rsh v d tr ne t th prpe i q iyf rac r o ain
u j c t l i he e cui y' u t a e ee mi d ha t e o r n ur o o p rto
h
'
i whehe ( thec
s t r a) û ommuni tonwoul notha be ma butf t c e ai ofl l
t
cai
d
ve en de
or he ontmplton ega
sr i s' a ( whehert S ontntoft communiai rlt t t lgals r c beng
e vce , nd b) t he k e
'
c
he
c ton eaes o he e evies i
rnderd..' ArenHous E.Condo.As n,I .v QBE l .( o )Lt ,No.07- 1 C1
e e ..' l
e
s' nc .
ns Eur pe d.
23 99- V,
2008 W L 11
333859,a * ( D.Fl Aug.27,2008 (ii Sout r BelTelphone and
t 4 S. a.
) ctng
he n l e
Tee a Co.v De on,63 So.d 1 7,1 ( a.1 ) M orover 'l heeal e i
lgrph
. as
2 2 37 383 F1 994).
e ,swl r awy r s
engaged t advi a per on as t busi
o
se
s
o
ness m ate as oppos t l
trs
ed o egal m ater or w hen he i
t s,
s
e pl d t ac s m pl as a age t pe f m s m e non-ega a tviy f a c i nt ..t r i n
m oye o t i y
n nt o r or o
l l c i t or le . he e s o
prviege.' Cut al Cirus Jui s USA,I v.Zuri Am eri l G r
i l '
r e t
ce
nc.
ch
can ns. oup,Cas N o.5: cve
03-
420- - 0GRJ 2004W' 5 91,*3( . Fl.Se 1 200 .
Oc 1
,
L 251
M D. a pt 0, 4)
The Courtagr w ih t sbody ofcase 1 w hi r r Shei ened scr i 'when a
ees t hi
aw
ch equi es i ght
utny'
8
c r r ton c a m s a t e clen prvieg But t s hei e d s r tny doe notm ea t ta
o po a i l i tom y- i t i l e.
hi
ght ne c u i
s
n ha
c por to d ng bus ne s a a i ur e c pan m us a i pa e ltga i i or rt be a e
or a i n oi
i s s n ns anc om y
t ntci t ii ton n de o
bl
t cl i or a s r t a t y- le prvie
o am
s e t he tonw c i nt i l ge. The Cour beleve t tr uii an i ur nc
t i s ha eq rng
ns a e
c pa t a i i t ltga i i or f i t a s r a a t r y- le pr de w o d notonl
om ny o ntc pa e ii ton n der or t o s e t n to ne c i nt ovi
ul
y
c tt eamira ngoft a iabl Fl.Stt j90.02 a ca elw,i woul as pa tal
onsiut
se di
he pplc e a a.
5 nd s a t
d lo rily,
and i propery,evi at t ator clentpr viege f i tr
m
l
scer e he t ney- i
i l
or nslance com pani w ho r ai l
es
et n egal
couns f l advi w hen lt gaton i notyetantci ed.
el or egal ce
ii i s
i pat
M or ove ,i i cl a t , n t i ur nc co e , s pr vie a t che when an a t r y
e r t s e r hat i he ns a e nt xt çno i l ge ta s
to ne
pefr i si tvewor i t c pa iyofa i urncecai aduse ,ahe t nasalwye ,
roms nve tgai
k n he a ct n ns a l ms j tr rt r ha
a r
g t smpl bec us (he at ne s sgne dute we e i si tve i nau e'doe not
bu) i y a e t tor y'lasi d is r nve tgai n tr ' s
pr ude an as i oft atonwy-clentprviege. Arl House E.Condo.Ass',Inc. 2008
ecl
serton
he t
i
i l
en
n
,
W L 11
333859,a *5;Cur e 2004W L 5251 ,a * Theef e,ûlj r e ntquesi i not
t
tal,
91 t 3. r or ûthe elva
ton s
whehe ghe at ne was rti t c
t r t tor yl
eaned o onduct a i si ton,but rt r whehe t s
n nve tgai
ahe, t r hi
i
nvestgaton was r at t t r ton of l
i i
el ed o he endii
egal servi
ces. I i w as .. t prviege i not
ft
. he i l
s
w a ve ' 1 The Cour ag e s w ih t Ar e H ous a ys s
i d. d.
'
t r e t he l n
e nal i .
W hie i m a s ns t t t a t ne c i ntpr vie ca o y be c a m e by c por t
l t kes e e ha he tor y- le
i l ge n nl
li d
or a e
i ur r - a c por tons i ge a w he t i c
ns e s nd or a i
n ner l
n he r ouns l i a t ly r
e s c ua l ende i l gals r i s
rng e
e v ce ,
a notwoki i a hers paat c pa iys h a acamsa j t ,i i wholyil c lt t
nd
r ng n not e r e a ct uc s li dusor t s
l logia ha
t ator clent prviege woul not appl i t i ance com pany cont unl t
he t ney- i
i l
d
y n he nsur
ext ess he
i ur nc c pa a i i es ltga i a t tm e co eli r t ne or t l gals r c a e
ns a e om ny ntc pat ii ton t he i
uns s e ai d
he e
e vi es r
r
ender
ed. Ator
t neys ofen per or l
t
f m egalservi and r
ces
ender l
egaladvi f cor at i er
ce or por e nsur s
bef e t cor at i ur r
or he por e ns er easonabl antci es ltgaton. To say t s l
y i pat ii i
hat uch egaladvi and
ce
l alopi ons a e notco r d by t a t ne cle prvie w oul be nons ns c l a w o d
eg
ni
r
ve e
he tor y- i nt i l ge
d
e i a nd ul
9
unf r y r ove ator clentpr ecton f cor at i er i such ci cum s ances.
ail em
t ney- i
ot i or por e nsur s n
r
t
I s e s t ts e co t m i htha pos i y confa e t a t ne c i prvie a
t e m ha om
ur s g
ve sbl
l t d he tor y- lent i l ge nd
w o k pr
r oduc doc r ne. l f c , s ve a vos - ii z c es ha s m i y a
t ti
n a t e r l t M lnaz o as
ve ee ngl bandone t
d he
d ntc pa i of lt g ton' r quie e w ih r r t t a i ton of t a t ne cle
k i i ton
a
ii a i ' e r m nt t ega d o he pplca i
he tor y- i nt
prvie f r c por tons Se ,eg. I r D e u e Cr am Pr L i Lii ,N o.09i l ge o or a i . e . , n e nt r
e
od. ab. tg.
2051 M D ,
-
201 W L 50578 a * ( D.Fl Oc.1 201 .M o sv GEI I m.Co.No.5:02
44, t 6 S. a. t 8, 2) s . CO nde
,
,
1 CV1 OC- 0TBS,201 W L 1
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623923,a *3( . Fl M a 9, 2)ltgai Abb v. ge,
t M D. a. y 201 ii ton; y Pai No.
1 23589- V,2011W L 1
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3223681 a * ( D. a.
, t 3 S. Fl Nov.30, 1 . TheCou ta e a fnds
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r gres nd i
t ta co por ton doi bus ne s a a i ur nc c pa s ul notbe e t
ha
r ai
ng i s s n ns a e om ny ho d
s oppe f om cl i i
d r
a m ng
a a t ne c i tprvie m e el bec us t ti u a e c pa di notr a ona y a i i t
n tor y- len i l ge r y a e ha ns r nc om ny d
e s bl ntc pa e
ltg ton a t tm e c
ii a i t he i ouns lw a r t i d ora t tm e t l ls r i esw e e r nde e To r e
e s e a ne
t he i he ega e v c
r e r d.
ul
ot r i e w oul be an a ur t
he w s
d
bs diy.
The r a t tf whe he t a t e clen prviege a t c i t c e ofco por t
e l es or
t r he tom y- i t i l
t a hes n he ont xt
r ae
i s rr i wh t rh atr e f n to e a ameec n utcamsa j so o cam iv siao ,
n u es s ehe te to n y u ci n d s r o d i, li d u t r r li n e tg t r
or r t r w he her t a t ne f nctoned i t a t e s pr es i
a he ,
t he tor y u i
n he tonz y' of s onalca ciy i di pe i
pa t n s nsng
l ga ad c Bank s l .Co. 755 So. a 729. Cl r y, he prvieg s d n0tatac whe
e l vi e.
er ns
,
2d t
ea l t
i l e houl
t h
n
t eatme i wo kn f rt ec r rt is rrs ll a ac n ut camsa j so o a mee
h to y s r ig o h opo ae n u e oey s o d i, li du tr r
r
cl m i tgat r her t as an ator r
ai nves i or at
han
t ney enderng l
i egal advi or l
ce
egal ser ces. But t
vi
he
a t ney- i tprvie s d a t c w he t l w ye i r
tor clen i l ge houl ta h
n he a r s ende i l gala c or l ls r c
rng e
dvi e ega e vi es
t a c por t i u er e n i no ltga i i r as bl a i pa e by t i ur a t tm e
o or a e ns r ve f
ii ton s e ona y ntci t d
he ns er t he i
c
ouns i r t i or a t tm e t l l a ce or l al s r c a e r nde ed. Pl i if s
el s e a ned
t he i he ega dvi
eg e vi e r e r
a ntf '
ar ent t Def
gum
hat
endant si pl cal ot cl m ator clent pri l as t s
m y m
ai t ney- i
viege
o even of t 10
he
doc e s a i s be us D e enda di no a i i t ltga i a t tm e Fow l r W hie w a
um nt t s ue ca e f
nt d t ntc pa e ii ton t he i
e
t s
10
r t i d ora t tm e Fow l rW hie pr vi d l ga a ce orl ls vi est D e e nti ta l
e a ne
t he i
e
t o de e l dvi
ega er c o f nda s l ty
rj ce . Peh p i c ran fcua cru tn e ted t ta t ec r o aeis rrr a o a l
ee td r a s n eti a t l ic msa c s h ae h t h o p rt n u e e s n by
a i i t d ltg ton m i be cons de e as one pot i l r e ntf t i a a ys s of a
ntc pa e ii a i
ght
i rd
entaly el va ac or n n nal i
n
i ur
ns ance com pany' cl m of ator clent prviege; however such a f or shoul not be
s ai
t ney- i
i l
,
act
d
de e m i tve norde m e t be apr r qui ie t aco por t i ur r' a lt t c ai t al ne
t r na i
e do
e e st o
r a e ns e s biiy o l m he tor yclent pr viege. I t s cas Fow l W hie w as not i hous counsel but r her w as out de
i
i l
n hi
e,
er
t
ne
,
at
si
c r ge cou e f D e e n . Fow l W hie w asnota tng a a c
ove a
ns l or f nda t
er
t
c i s ondui,cl i s i tga or
t a m nvesi t ,
or c ai s ha e . Fow l r W hie w a pr di l ga ad c a l ga s r c s t De e nti
lm
ndl r
e
t s ovi ng e l vi e nd e l e vi e o f nda n
isc pac t a ou s de c r e c
t a iy s t i ove ag ouns , nd i m a t r notwhe he Def ndanta t c pa e ltg ton
el a t te s
t r e
n i i t d ii a i
a t tm e Fow l r W hie w a r t ne or a t tm e Fow l r W hie r nde ed is l ga ad c or
t he i
e
t
s e ai d
t he i
e
t e r t e l vi e
l
egals ces.
ervi
l t i t n ca e t Cour hasc e u l r vi w e t 1 doc e s a i s i c e a
n he ns a t s , he
t
ar f ly e e d he 0 um nt t s ue n am r
a tnds t t t y a e pr e t d by t a t ne cle prviege Fo l r W hie w a cl a l
nd i
ha he r ot c e
he tor y- i nt i l . w e
t
s e ry
r ai by D ef
et ned
endant i t cont pl i of l
n he
em aton
egal s ces. M or
ervi
eover t cont of t
, he
ent
he
doc e s s fci nty es a i hest tFow l rW hie w asr nderng l ls rv c a wasa i
um nt uf i e l t bls ha
e
t
e
i ega e i es nd
ctng
i t c pa t ofl alc ela no asacai i tgao ,camsadusor monior o mee
n he a ciy eg ouns nd t
l m nvesi tr li j t , t , r r
con t D ef nda t s c ai ofa t ne clen prvie o r s ve oft 1 do e si pr r
dui.
e n' l m
tor y- i t i l ge ve e n he 0 cum nt s ope
a i lgalya f t l j tfed.
nd s e l nd acualy usii
The o he t e docum e s w e e i e na doc e s of D ef nt whi h r cied l gal
t r hr e
nt
r nt r l um nt
enda
c e t e
a ceoropi onsr nde e by D e e nt sc r ntl ga c
dvi
ni e r d
f nda ' ur e e l ouns li t sf der lc e. Thos tle
e n hi e a as
e lr e
docum ent ar cl l pr ect by t ator clentpri l
s e eary ot ed
he t ney- i
viege.
I .
V
Iss Tw o:W het D ef
ue
her endantM et1t Burden ofEs i nc t ItD i N ot
s
tablshi hat
d
W ai It C l m ofA t ornev- lentPri l as t t 10 D ocum ent
ve s ai
t
ci
vieue o he
s
Upon c r ulr e o al t e de e a t tm ony s it on t s i s ,a upon
a ef evi w f 1 he vi nc nd es i
ubm ted
hi s ue nd
ls e ng t t t s i o a obs r ng t de ea ofRi r W e dy, q. t Cour fndst t
it ni o he e tm ny nd e vi he m nor
cha d l Es , he
t i ha
D e e ntha m e is bur n ofesabls ng t ti di notw a ve t a t ne clen prvie a
f nda
s tt
de
t i hi ha t d
i he tor y- i t i l ge s
t t 1 doc nt . Fis , f ntdi notwavet prviegeby f ii t i l t orgi
o he 0 ume s rt De enda d
i he i l
alng o ncude he i nal
s ve Fow l rW hie doc ent o a prvie l asDef nda di i f c , nc ude t doc e s
e n
e
t
um s n
i l ge og
e nt d, n a t i l he um nt
on t o pr vi usprvie l - al i w ih dif r ntB a e num be st n t y ha whe pr
w
e o
i l ge ogs be t t f e e
ts
r ha he d
n oduce
d
on Decem ber 20,2018,w hi w as due t a St ng enor.' A ddii l due t t tm i of
ch
o taggi
'
tonaly,
o he i ng
t r pr
hei oducton, D ef
i
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um nt nt r o f
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t deal e
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3 ( )I d e t n Dico u e W h nma e i afd r l r c e ig o t afdea o fc o a e c , h d s l s r
b na v re t s l s r . e d n e e a p o e dn r o e r l fie r g n y t e ico u e
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rt s
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( t holeroft prvie orpr e i t r s ese t pr ntdicl ur a
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v l r c d r 6 b ( )B)
Fe R.Evi 5
d.
d. 02.
4If r inPrd c d I ifr t npo u e i dso eyi s be toacam o p iie eo o poe t na
no mat o u e . fno mai rd c d n ic v r s u jc t li f rvlg r f rtci s
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t i - e a i m a era ,t e pa t maki g t cl m m a notf any pary t tr ei t i or ton oft cl m
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andt ba i f i. Aferbei notfe aparym us pr
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nf ma i nd
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r a onabl s e t r t i t i or i i t pary dicl e i bef e bei g notfe and may pr
es
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ii d;
ompty pr e
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t i or a i t t c l unde s lf a de e m i ton oft cl m .The pr
he nf m ton o he ou'
t
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oduci p t mus pr s ve t e
ng ary
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nf ma i
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F d. Ci. 2 ( )5( .
e R. v P. 6 b ( )B)
mit ke , ndDe enda ' c elma onehe eby i dve tntypr ucngt e 1 doc l e s
sa s a
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r
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ve , he t xt t n
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ton
um nt
ce r
8 i ht or he
Chr s m a holda Pl i i f s c
i t s i y. a ntf ouns ls ntD e e nts co e l ngt c r ponde e a 4:
e e
f nda ' uns l e hy or es
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p. .on Frda D e m be 28 201 r gh be or t N e Y ea ' holda s a i i pa t a a
m
i y, ce r , 8, i t f e he w
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t ver end of t l t t D ef
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he eter, hat endant had pr
oduced s e corr pondence i vi Fow l
om
es
nvol ng
er
W hi whc ma h v be n s be tt a tr e -le tp iie e Dee d n ' c t e ' ofc
t ih y a e e u j c o to n y cin rv lg . fn a ts o ms ls fie
e
w a c os d f t holda untlJ nua y 2,201 whi h w ascl a l r s bl The D e e be
s l e or he i ys i a r
9, c
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cm r
28,201 co r ponde e,f om And ea De e d,Es ,a Pl n i f s 1 w fr d d no s iy t
8 r es
nc r
r
Fi l
q. t ai tf a im i t pec f he
Ba es n be s of t s ve do e s co a ne w ihi t a oxi a e 1 pa of Fow l r
t um r
he e n cum nt nt i d t n he ppr m t 00 ges
e
W hie doc en s butt Cour not t ts w asi1w ih t tu ove t holda a uli a e y
t
um t ,
he
t es ha he
l t he l
r he i ys nd tm t l
hos t i w hi cert nl account f any aleged detci
pialzed, ch
ai y
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l
i ency i t l t
n he eter.
Pl i if sc
a ntf ouns l D a d Cos e l Es , le D e e nts c
e , vi
t lo, q.ca l d f nda ' ouns l Ri ha d W el Es ,
e, c r
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i t m or ng on J nua y 2,201 a t y uli a e y pa tci t d i a t l phone c e e e t t
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ni
a r
9, nd he tm t l ri pa e n e e
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t r n e r ng s ove y.
.
dy nd . t lo pec fc l s us ed he
e
W hie docum ent at i ue,and M r W el t d M r Coselo t a Fowl W hie docum ent
t
s ss
.
dy ol
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er
t
s
c a ni l ga a c or opi ons w hi h ha bee i
ont i ng e l dvi e
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c
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n nadve t l di c os d t Pl i tf by
renty s l e o a n if
D e e nts d be s gr t d,r t ned t D ef nta des r d by Pl i if M r Cos elo
f nda houl
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o
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. tl
r quese t Ba e num ber oft docu e s a i s fom M r W e dy,a M r W e dy w a e
e
t d he t s
s he
m nt t s ue r
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nt d
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hose s eBat num bersf M r. t l butneihercouns appar l knew t f cert n
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rom
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s eques i w rtng,buthe f l t do so untlJanual
t n ii
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7, 9, trt de ii ofDee ts30( ( rprs nttvewheet is cn t ahea
201 afe he poston
fndan ' b)6) e e e ai
r he sue me o
d.
M r W e dy, ts d be not s f r f om t fu fom J nua y 4 t J nua y 8, 9, c w as
. l i houl
ed, uf e ed r he l r
a r o a r 201 whi h
c ranl par oft ca eoft deay a a detc e i si hi r pons
e ti y t he us
he l nd ny i i nc e n s es e.
Under t f t of t s c e Def nda ' c
he ac s
hi as , e nt s ouns l s di c os e of t 1 a t ne c i nt
e ' s l ur
he 0 tor y- le
prvie d doc en s w a c ea l i dve t nt The hol r of t prviege D e e nt a is
i l ge
um t
s l ry na r e .
de
he i l , f nda nd t
counsel t r onabl s epst pr
, ook eas
e t o eventdi cl e. Def
s osur
endant scouns utlzed t ser cesof
'
el ii he vi
aj no a s cae snira s cae n a e ds o ey v n o t sR tr u h t vou n u
u ir so it, e o so it,a d n - ic v r e d r o i h o g he lmio s
doc nt rs i t Plitf' dico r r quess a us afw docume sweei r pel
ume s e ponsve o anifs s vey e t, ndj t e
nt r mp o ry
m i - a ed by m i t ke. A ddii ly,Def nda ' couns t ok r as bl seps t r c iy t
s t gg
sa
tona l
e nt s
el o e ona e t
o e tf he
e a e tbls d a
nor s sa ihe bove. Rul 26( ( ( doe notrquiet tt hol roft prvie
e b)5)B) s
e r ha he de
he i lge
i m e a el pr vi Ba es num be s f t prvie d doc e s a t
m di t y o de t
r or he i l ge
um nt , lhough t tw oul s e y be
ha
d ur l
t bes pr c i e i t B a es num be s wer known a t tm e. M r W e d di pr pty notf
he t a tc f he t
r
e
t he i
. l y d om l
iy
M r.Coselo of D ef
tl
endant s cl m of ator clent prviege as t t Fow l W hie ator
' ai
t ney- i
i l
o he
er
t t ney-
cle prvie d docum e s a de a
i nt i l ge
nt nd m nded r t n oft d um e s Tha w a c e r y s fc e
e ur
he oc nt .
t s l a l uf i i nt
undert applcabl rul
he
i e es.
The doc e sw e e i ve t nty pr uc d, nd no w a veroft a t ney- le prvie
um nt r nad re l od e a
i
he tor c i nt i l ge
OCCUI d.5
TC
V.
l
ssue Three: W hether Def
endant M et 1t B urden of Es i n: t
s
tablshi
hat
Pl ntf ' Couns lFaie t Compl wih Rul 26( ( ( and Fl i Bar
ai ifs
e
ld o
v t
e b)5)B)
orda
R ul 4- 4
e 4.
Upon car revi ofa1 oft evi
eful ew
l he dence subm il ast t s i ue and upon ls eni t
ted o hi ss
i t ng o
t t tm ony a obs vi t de e norofW alerAndr w s Es , he Cour fndst tD e enda t
he es i
nd er ng he m a
t
e , q. t
t i ha f
n
di not m eet is bur
d
t
den of es abls ng t Pl ntf s couns f l t com pl w ih Rul
t i hi hat ai i f'
el aied o
y t
e
5 Ast t on documentBa essampe AW NA C0205 , De enda hasagr ed t r c t doc e asdi c s d
o he e
t t
d
0 f nt
e o eda t he um nt
s us e
i open c ta pr de ar dac ed ve son oft documentt Pl ntf . Tha s l be done f t w ih.
n
our nd ovi
e t
ri
he
o ai if
t ha l
or h t
14
26( ()B)a Rul 4- 4 oft RulsRegultngt Fl i Ba 6upo l mi ofPl ntf s
b)5( nd e 4. he e
ai he orda r n ea ng
ai if
r c ptofprvie d docum e s l ot rw or ,t e denc es a ihest tPl i if s c uns
e ei
i l ge
nt . n he
ds he vi e t bls
ha a ntf ' o el
m e is ba i oblga i unde t r l - alhough Pl ntf scouns ls c
t t s c i tons
r he u es t
ai i f
e ' onduc w a no pe f c .
t s t re t
Pl ntf ' c
ai i f s ouns l sDec m be 28, 8 c r pondenc di r s t i s ofD ef nts
e'
e r 201 or es
e d ai e he s ue
enda '
pr ducton ofdoc e s i vi Fo l rW hie e t
o i
um nt nvol ng w e
t , ven hough t c r ponde di nots ciy
he or es
nce d
pe f
t Ba e num be s f t doc e s i que t o and s a e t t Pl i if s c
he t s
r or he
um nt n
si n
t t d ha a ntf ' ouns l w o d
e
ul
d su 'awave o a ycam b Dee d n o at r e - l n p iie e Th Co r rj csa y
d s me' i r f n li y f n a t f to n y ci t rv lg . e u tee t n
a
e
s lass pton' of w ai by a recei ng couns of pot i l pr vieged docum ent as t
uch k um i '
ver
vi
el
entaly i l
s he
applcabl r es do not per i an atonw y t tass e' w ai . How ever t tm i of t
i e ul
mt
t
o l um ' ver
, he i ng
he
pr uc i a ound t holdays t r he r vi w t t f l e ove t holda ,t f c t t
od ton r
he i , he us d e e ha olow d
r he i ys he a t ha
A ndr D eFi d,Esq. w as hos t i w ih an il
ea
el
,
pialzed t
lness,and t f t W aler A ndr s,Es ,
he act hat
t
ew
q.
w a s he ed t a t nd hi o n da er s w e ng and r a e f m iy e nt ,a 1a f c e a
s c dul o te
s w
ught ' ddi
el t d a l ve s 1 f e t d nd
m ii t d Pl i ifs c
tga e a ntf ouns ls i per e tc
e ' m f c onduc i t sca e.
t n hi s
M or ove ,t e de e s s t t onc Pl ntf s couns lr e ve t B a e num be s
e r he vi nc how ha , e ai if
e ec i d he t s
r
f t doc e sw hi D e e nt s c
or he um nt
ch f nda ' ouns lcl i e wer a t ne c i n prvie d,Pl ntf '
e am d
e tor y- le t i l ge
ai i f s
counseldi r
d easonabl pr pty s egat r ur and des r t docum ent Addii l onl
y om l egr e, et n
t oy he
s.
tonaly, y
t e oft 1 doc e s w e e a t m pt d t be us d i any m a m e by Pl i if s couns ,a
hr e
he 0
um nt r te e o
e n
l r
a ntf '
el nd
onl a a de ii n w he e Pl i if s couns lt s i i d t the w as m e e y tyi t e t bls t
y t
post o
r a ntf '
e e tfe ha
r l r ng o s a i h he
b ss fr De e d n ' cam o atr y cin p iie e Fial,a y p tnil p eu iil
a i o fn a ts li f t ne -le t rv lg . n l n o e tal rj dca
o
y
y
s bs a i a w e s t t lm ied ques i by Pl ntf ' co el a t t de ii w e e not
u t ntve ns r o he i t
tons
ai if s uns t ha pos ton r
6 A l wye who r ei a doc en ore e t oni l sor i or a i r a i t t r pr s nt ton oft
a r
ec ves
um t l c r caly t ed nf m ton el tng o he e e e a i
he
lwyer sc i a knowsorr as abl s d know t tt documen orel toni aly s or i or a i w a
a
' lent nd
e on y houl
ha he
t
ec r c l t ed nf m ton s
ia v re t sn mu t r mpl n tf tesnd r Fl. rRul 44.()
n d etnl e t s p o ty oiy h e e. a Ba e - 4b .
y
prvi dbyDef nts30( ( wines, rt rweeobecedt byDef ntsco el
o de
enda ' b)6) t s but ahe r j t o
enda ' uns who
i t c e t w ine snott a w e t ques i .
nsnl t d he t s
o ns r he
tons
V l.
Iss Four:W het D ef
ue
her endantM etIt Burden ofEst i ng t There Is
s
ablshi hat
a Pos biiv t Pl nt f C ounsel H as R ecei an Unf r Inf atonal
si lt hat ai i rs
ved
ai
orm i
A dvant
ace
Upon consi aton ofa1 t r evantevi
der i
l he el
dence,t tm ony and argum ent t Cour tnds
es i
s, he
ti
t D ef
hat endant has not m et is burden of est i ng t t e i a possi lt t Pl ntf s
t
ablshi hat her s
biiy hat ai if'
counsel has r ved an unf r i or atonal advant
ecei
ai nf m i
age. The atorney- i pri l
t
clent vieged
docum ent have not been used i an am ended com pl nt or ot pl ng. The onl r
s
n
ai
her eadi
y eal
atem pt us oft ee oft 10 docum ent w as ata deposton asdi sed above,and t e i no
t
ed e hr
he
s
ii
scus
her s
p siiiyo p eu ieb s du o t o eq e t ns wh c wee f r h mos p s, b e tdt a d
o sb l f rj d c a e p n h s u si , ih r, o t e t a t o j ce o n
t
o
no a w e ed. A ddii ly,l w ye s opi ons a t punii da a a s r e sbonds a e
t ns r
tona l a r ' ni
so
tve m ges nd upe s dea
r
no r l va a t Cour i r s
t e e nt s he
t s e ponsbl f i e pr tng a c r t l e r t ton ofa i ur nc
i e or nt r e i
ontac . nt p e a i
n ns a e
contacti a l i ue t be m ade by t Courtby l ng att cont l
r s egal ss o
he
ooki
he
ract anguage. Thi f her
s urt
miiae a ans t ep s iii o a yp eu iewh to v rt Dee da t
l t s g i t h o sblt f n rj dc as e e o fn n .
t
y
?
V1I.
Di
squalfcat on i N otProper or A ppropri e
ii i s
at
l sum ,Pl ntf counsels d notbe diqualf ed. l addii t t anal sabove,
n
ai ips
houl
s ii
n
ton o he
ysi
t Co t de es t M oton f t f l i r a ons Fis , di qualf c ton i a e r e
he ur ni he
i or he olow ng e s . r t s ii a i s n xtem
s ncinwhihi no j tfedi t sca e Sec t sc e a fc-nt i c s ha bee
a to
c s t usii n hi s . ond,hi omplx nd a ti ensve a e s n
pe ng f s etm e a ha r a hed t tnals a s ofdi c r Re r ng Pl i tf t r t i
ndi or om i nd s e c
he i
t ge
s ove y. qui i
a n if o e a n
1 l i rs o s t t Moint Diq aiyg 1 0,p. ) Plitf atmpst ma eteag me th tDee d n
s
f
n t ep n e o he to o su l DE 9 8, anif te t o k h r u n ta fn a t
a di c u s l iltdRuel i fln temo int ds aiyPlitf' c ne. Ho v r teCouteet
n t o n e voae l 1 n i g h to o iqu lf anifs ou sl we e,h
s
i
r rjcs
t sa g e . Afe ca ef l r ewi al oft e de a t tm ony i r a i t t m o i t di qua iy,i
hi r um nt
t r r uly evi ng I he vi nce nd es i
n elton o he ton o s lf t
i cl rt t Cour t Def nda and isc s di notfl t m oton t diqualf f an i pr pu pos nor
s ea o he
t hat e nt
t oun el d
ie he i o s iy or m oper r es
di t y a nce a gum e s whi h wer fi ousorha no evi i y s
d he dva
r
nt
c
e rvol
d
dentar uppor.
t
16
ne c ms la ge t m up t s d t s l t i t ltga i woul be undul e nsve a
w ot e nd t he
o pee hi a e n he ii ton
d
y xpe i nd
budens
r ome. Diquaiiai ofPl ntf sc elwo d s r y prj c Pli ifa i
s lfc ton
ai if ouns
ul eveel eudie antf nd s
w holy umz sar undert f soft scase. Thid, Def
l
eces y
he act
hi
r
endantcr ed t spr em i t frs
eat hi obl n he i t
plc by i dve tnty pr
ae
na re l oduci prvie d doc e s Bo h sde s r t blm e f wha
ng i l ge
um nt. t i s ha e he a
or
t
o u r d i t s c s a t s m iia e ag ns di qualf c ton. Fourh, m a Fow l r W hie
cc r e n hi a e nd hi lt t s ai t s i i a i
t
ny
e
t
doc nt no s j c t acli ofat ne cle prvie weepr e byDefnda i Apll
ume s t ub e t o am tor y- int i lge r oduc d
e nt n i
201 a D e e be 201 t , tw a di fc t i noti pos i e, orPl i if scouns t qui kl
8 nd c m r 8; hus i s fi ul, f
m s bl f
a ntf
el o c y
deemi whi doc nt wee i dve tnty dicl ed a s j c t t atr y-le
tr ne ch ume s r na re l s os nd ub e t o he tone cint
prvie a w hi h w e e not Fit Pl i ifsc
i l ge nd c
r
. fh, a ntf ouns lno i i d Def nda ' c
e t fe
e nt s ouns ofapos i e
el
s bl
a t ne c i ntprvie pr e i m edi t l Si h,Pl i if s couns lw a m adl s r m blng
tor y- le
i l ge obl m m
a e y. xt a ntf '
e s
y ca i
t r vi w 1 500 doc e sove t holda a w a gi n no i ta gui e f om Def nda '
o e e 4,
um nt
r he i ys nd s ve
nii l danc r
e nt s
counselabout w hi docum ent w er alegedl pri l
ch
s e l
y vieged. Sevent Pl ntf s counselcannot
h, ai if'
r ca lwha t prviege docu e se n di c s
e l
t he i l d
m nt ve s us ed. Ei ht t Co tc n c e t pr e w ih
g h, he ur a ur he obl m t
l sdr s i m e ns by i pos ng pr phyl c i m e ur , s m a i d be ow .
es a tc a
m
i
o
a tc as es as um rze l
Ba e on t f egoi a a s a e i ope c ton J nuar 29,201 i i he e
sd
he or ng, nd s t t d n
n our
a
y
9, t s r by
O R D ERED asf l s:
olow
Dee ntsMotont DiquaiyPli ifsCot e ( 1 i DENI
fnda ' i o s lf antf' ms l DE 851 s
ED.
Pl i if i no pe m it d t u ii e a of t 10 a t ne c i nt prvie d
a ntf s t r te o t lz ny
he
tor y- le
i l ge
docum ent ati
s ssue,orany oft s f c i onnaton di ecty and excl i y
he pecii nf
i
r l
usvel
obt ne f om t 1 doc e s i t s c e or i a o he ca e i vol ng
ai d r
he 0
um nt , n hi as
n ny t r s n vi
D ef
endant Pl ntf s counsel and Pl ntf shal ens e t t
. ai i f'
ai if
l
ur hat hey have
des r
t oyed al copi oft 10 docum ent and s lr f r and certf t t
l
es he
s
hal eaf i m
iy o he
Cour a opposngc elt tt yha dones wihi sve ( da oft
t nd
i ouns ha he ve
o t n e n 7) ys he
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