Ceglia v. Zuckerberg et al

Filing 573

MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 553 MOTION for Discovery filed by Paul D. Ceglia. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Certificate of Service)(Boland, Dean)

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10/18/12 Gibson Dunn Used “Legal Thuggery,” Say Montana Supremes ‑ Law Blog ‑ WSJ News, Quotes, Companies, Videos U.S. EDITION  Home World Thursday, October 18, 2012 As of 11:00 AM EDT U.S. New York Business Tech Subscribe Markets Market Data Opinion 1 of 12 TOP STORIES IN Business BP Nears Deal on TNK-BP Stake SEARCH Life & Culture Real Estate Log In Careers 2 of 12 3 of 12 Amazon Struggles to Crack Publishing Asian Scion's Trades Draw Scrutiny For Bof Hits Keep WSJ BLOGS Law Blog Search Law Blog SEARCH WSJ on the cases, trends and personalities of interest to the business community. March 13, 2007, 1:44 PM Gibson Dunn Used “Legal Thuggery,” Say Montana Supremes Article LAW BLOG HOME PAGE » By Paul Davies It’s probably not the best day to be a senior partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. The Montana Supreme Court earlier today upheld a $9.9 million punitive damage award against the firm, finding that Gibson Dunn acted with “actual malice” in suing an art expert who declared a painting with the signature of C.M. Russell was done by Olaf C. Seltzer, thus greatly reducing its value. Here’s the 105­page opinion. The court found that the firm, which employs about 800 lawyers, acted with a “high level of misconduct” and is using the courts as a “tool” in an attempt to intimidate Steve Seltzer, a Montana painter and Olaf’s grandson, who is an expert in his grandfather’s work. Gibson Dunn’s “use of the judicial system amounts to legal thuggery,” the state Supreme Court said. The legal dispute was the subject of a page­one story in The Wall Street Journal last March. The initial $21.4 million verdict in actual and punitive damages for Seltzer was one of the largest in the country in 2005. The judge overseeing the case reduced the punitive damages to $9.9 million, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limits how much punitive damages can exceed compensatory damages. The jury also awarded $1.1 million in compensatory damages. Both the law firm and Seltzer appealed the ruling. Gibson Dunn contended the damages were excessive, and that the trial judge improperly instructed jurors, excluded key defense testimony and allowed prejudicial plaintiff evidence. Seltzer wanted the $21.4 million verdict reinstated in part because the firm had insurance for the full amount. I’m disappointed in the ruling, said Seltzer’s attorney, Alexander Blewett III of Great Falls, Mont. Gibson Dunn, which does legal work for Dow Jones & Co., the owner of the The Wall Street Journal, issued the following statement: This ruling grossly mischaracterizes the facts, violates constitutional limits on punitive damage awards, and contradicts recent decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and many other courts from around the country striking down arbitrary and excessive damage awards,” Pearl Piatt, a spokeswoman for the firm, said in a statement. “We plan to seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court. Don't Miss Removing Earwax Isn't Good For You, Experts Say  Powered by Taboola Debate Moderator Comes Under Fire After Interrupting Romney 00:41 05:16 Mitt Romney Makes A Joke about Bill Clinton Before Giving Speech at C… 01:08 About Law Blog The Law Blog is an online publication that covers hot cases, emerging trends and big personalities in law. It’s brought to you by lead writer Joe Palazzolo, with contributions from The Wall Street Journal’s legal reporters (below) and other staff. Joe, who also writes for the paper, has spent five years covering lawyers, the U.S. Department of Justice, anticorruption enforcement, and the federal courts. He learned early on that the best stories either start in the courtroom or end up there. Follow @Joe_Palazzolo blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/03/13/gibson‑dunn‑used‑legal‑thuggery‑say‑montana‑supremes/ 1,711 followers 1/3 10/18/12 Gibson Dunn Used “Legal Thuggery,” Say Montana Supremes ‑ Law Blog ‑ WSJ Gibson Dunn sued Seltzer of behalf of collector Steve Morton who owned the painting, titled “Lassoing a Longhorn.” Morton purchased the painting for $38,000 in 1972, which has “C.M. Russell 1913″ scrawled on the lower left corner. Russell, who died in 1926, was a well­known painter of scenes from the American West. Comment or tip? Write to joe.palazzolo@wsj.com or lawblog@wsj.com Joanna Chung Bureau Chief Jennifer Smith Reporter Chad Bray Reporter Sam Favate Contributor Morton planned to sell the painting an auction. But a partner at the auction house questioned whether the painting was done by Russell. He contacted Seltzer and another expert to authenticate the painting. After Seltzer determined the painting was done by his grandfather and not Russell reducing the value to $50,000 from as much as $800,000 Morton had a retired partner at Gibson Dunn send a letter threatening to sue if Seltzer if he didn’t recant his opinion. Ashby Jones Reporter Reed Albergotti Reporter After Seltzer refused, Gibson Dunn filed a lawsuit on behalf of Morton in federal court in July 2002 accusing Seltzer of fraud, malice and bad faith. Seltzer then produced affidavits from nine experts who said the painting wasn’t a Russell and that the signature was a forgery. Morton withdrew his lawsuit in February 2003. Five days later, Seltzer sued Gibson Dunn, the firm’s retired partner and Morton accusing them of causing emotional distress and damaging his reputation via “malicious prosecution” and “abuse of process.” « Previous O.J.’s Lawyer Re-enters the Spotlight Next » From: Law Blog, To: Reader, Subject: U.S. Attorney Mess Jess Bravin Reporter Follow Law Blog on Twitter Like Law Blog on Facebook 132 Most Popular LAW BLOG HOME PAGE Read Powered by  Taboola Don't Miss Commented All Blogs BUSINESS Opinion Journal: Obama Taxing Credibility­­Free… 04:25 NEWS Removing Earwax Isn't Good For You, Experts Say Debate Moderator Comes Under Fire After Interrupting… 05:16 01:08 2. BofA to Outside Firms: We Sent You Business, Now Cut Our Legal Tab Scotus To Take Up AZ Voter Law 4. Assault Rifle Ban Makes an Appearance at Debate 5. Gupta's Wife, Daughters Describe a Man in Full 04:22 LIFESTYLE Looking for a Law School to Fit Your Politics? OPINION Many CFOs Use Clever Exploitations of A… 1. 3.   Douglas K. Dennis Criminal Defense Attorney for all types of Criminal Charges www.dougdennislaw.com 2012 Online Grants Grant funding may be available ­ Go Back to School! www.ClassesUSA.com Personal Injury Attorneys Have You Been In An Accident? You May Be Entitled To Compensation. www.idahopersonalinjuryattorney.com Local Criminal Law Find Criminal Law Near You. See Actual Customer Reviews! Local.com You Might Like Legal Get Help Fast. Low Cost Legal Care. Speak To An Expert Today. 24/7. www.LegalAid.com Lawrence D Brudy & Assoc Energy Firm in the Natural Gas Age. Attorneys at Law. http://www.ldbassoc.com From Around the Web SCOTUS Takes up Patent Dispute over ‘Second-Generation’ Seeds Complete Your CA Divorce Online Courses to Complete Divorce Process & Forms by Lawyer & Comic www.DivorceComedy.com Content from Sponsors What's this? BigLaw Lawyer Cops to Stealing $10 Million from Clients Do Lawyers Have a 1st Amendment Right to Be Cross with Judges? If Wishes Were Horses, the Legal Job Market Would Shine Assault Rifle Ban Makes an Appearance at Debate Despite warnings, most states slow to confront corporate ID theft (CSO) Bill Gates Sends Ex-Con to Law School After Supreme Court Win (Bloomberg.com) $100,000 income: No big deal anymore (Bankrate.com) How to Evict an Adult Child (eHow) Want All the Facts on The 26th Amendment ? (History.com) blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/03/13/gibson‑dunn‑used‑legal‑thuggery‑say‑montana‑supremes/ 2/3 10/18/12 Gibson Dunn Used “Legal Thuggery,” Say Montana Supremes ‑ Law Blog ‑ WSJ Comments (5 of 25) View all Comments » 10:55 pm March 14, 2007 to ladedah wrote : you are so right. What do right thinking folks like us have to do to simply outlaw those lawyers and firms that represent citizens? We need to pass legislation that penalizes citizens for speaking up and getting all uppity. Once all these lawsuits are out of the way, America will be a real Christian Nirvana. Off with their heads! Karl Rove rules! Republican majority written into law. The Fourth Reich will carry us into the Rapture! 10:55 pm March 14, 2007 to ladedah wrote : you are so right. What do right thinking folks like us have to do to simply outlaw those lawyers and firms that represent citizens? We need to pass legislation that penalizes citizens for speaking up and getting all uppity. Once all these lawsuits are out of the way, America will be a real Christian Nirvana. Off with their heads! Karl Rove rules! Republican majority written into law. The Fourth Reich will carry us into the Rapture! 10:55 pm March 14, 2007 to ladedah wrote : you are so right. What do right thinking folks like us have to do to simply outlaw those lawyers and firms that represent citizens? We need to pass legislation that penalizes citizens for speaking up and getting all uppity. Once all these lawsuits are out of the way, America will be a real Christian Nirvana. Off with their heads! Karl Rove rules! Republican majority written into law. The Fourth Reich will carry us into the Rapture! 7:28 pm March 14, 2007 Anon wrote : The defense lawyers are worse than the plaintiffs’ lawyers. 2:55 pm March 14, 2007 ladedah wrote : I am surprised that Gibson Dunn has insurance that will cover a situation where there has actually been a jury award of punitive damages; usually insurers won’t cover such a loss. At any rate, they are a fabulously profitable firm that is dug in like a tic in the California establishment (and elsewhere). I have encountered “thuggish” behavior from them many time sin my own law practice. They will never change, nor will the way many people tend to misuse the judicial apparatus in this country. Wall Street Journal Facebook Twitter LinkedIn FourSquare Google+ YouTube Podcasts RSS Feed AppStore Subscribe / Login Back to Top Customer Service Policy Ads Tools & Features More Customer Center Privacy Policy Your Ad Choices Apps Register for Free Contact Us Data Policy Advertise Newsletters Reprints Contact Directory Copyright Policy Advertise Locally Alerts E­books Corrections Subscriber Agreement & Terms of Use Place a Classified Ad Graphics Content Partnerships Columns Conferences Topics SafeHouse Guides Jobs at WSJ Copyright ©2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/03/13/gibson‑dunn‑used‑legal‑thuggery‑say‑montana‑supremes/ 3/3

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