Snyder et al v. Greenberg Traurig, LLP et al

Filing 29

Snyder et al v. Greenberg Traurig, LLP et al

Doc. 29

Case 1:07-cv-00469-LO-BRP

Document 29

Filed 07/24/2007

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FILED
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

(Alexandria Division)

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CATHERINE SNYDER,

VtRGi.\.A

RICHARD SNYDER Plaintiffs,
Civil Action No.: 07CV469
v.

GREENBERG, TRAURIG LLC et al

Defendants.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
(Alexandria Division)

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

Pursuant to Rule 15(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Plaintiffs in pro se, Catherine and Richard Snyder, for their First Amended Complaint allege as follows:

This action arises from the unconstitutional, tortuous and unlawful actions of defendants Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Harley I. Lewis, Janet Shih Hajek and Steve
Wadyka in violation of Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States

Constitution, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983, the common law, and Virginia law on invasion of
privacy.

Dockets.Justia.com

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JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. This Court has jurisdiction over this cause of action under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331,1337,
1343(a), and 1367(a) and; 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

2. Jurisdiction of this court for the state law claims is authorized by Federal Rule of

Civil Procedure 18(a) and arises under the doctrine of pendent jurisdiction.
3. The actions that form the basis for this cause of action took place in the Eastern District of Virginia and thus venue in this Court is appropriate. 28 U.S.C. § 1391.
PARTIES

4. Plaintiifs Catherine and Richard Snyder are citizens of the United States of America
and reside in the State of Virginia, having an address of 603 Nash Street, Herndon, Virginia. 5. Greenberg Traurig is a law firm organized as a limited liability partnership with various offices throughout the United States, including places of business at 1750 Tysons Blvd., McLean, Virginia and New York City, New York.

6.

At the times relevant to this action and to date, defendant Harley I. Lewin
(hereinafter "Lewin") served as a lawyer with Defendant Greenberg Traurig.
Lewin promotes himself as a specialist and expert in trademark litigation,

including seizure orders. Lewin controlled, directed, perpetrated and aided

and abetted the actions giving rise to this cause of action.
7. At the times relevant to this action and to date, defendant Janet Shih Hajek (hereinafter "Hajek") served as a lawyer with Defendant Greenberg Traurig. Hajek perpetrated and aided and abetted the actions giving rise to this cause

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of action.

8.

At the times relevant to this action and to date, defendant Steve Wadyka
(hereinafter "Wadyka") served as a lawyer with Defendant Greenberg Traurig. Wadyka perpetrated and aided and abetted the actions giving rise to

this cause of action.
FACTS
Defendants acted under color of law

9.

Upon information and belief, on or about December 4, 2006, defendants,

working on behalf of Diane von Furstenberg Studio (hereinafter "DVF'),
obtained an exparte seizure order from the U.S District Court for the

Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria division) (hereinafter "seizure
Order") to search for and seize particularly identified items from Plaintiffs'
home.

10. The seizure Order provided that "the United States Marshall for the Eastern

District of Virginia and any federal, state, country or local law enforcement officers, assisted hy one or more attorneys or agents of DVF' would execute

and conduct the seizure for the identified items from Plaintiffs' home. See
also 15 U.S.C. 1117(d)(9)(mandating that law enforcement officers "shall carry out the seizure under the order").

11. Upon information and belief, on or before December 8, 2006, defendants
contacted the Herndon Police Department, Herndon, Virginia, to serve and execute the seizure order. 12. Upon information and belief, on or before December 8, 2006, defendants and

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the Herndon Police Department agreed that defendants would carry out the
ordered search and seizure for items in Plaintiffs' home.

13. On the morning of December 8, 2006, Defendant Lewin accompanied by defendants, Hajak, Wadyka and two other then unidentified people arrived at Plaintiffs home. With the aforementioned defendants were three officers of
the Hemdon Police Department.

14. Defendant Lewin told Plaintiff Richard Snyder, who answered the door on
December 8, 2006, that he and the non-officers with him represented DVF and were there to conduct a search of Plaintiffs' home.

15. After hearing of Defendant Lewin's intent, Plaintiff Richard Snyder asked the
officers if he was obligated to let the defendants into Plaintiffs' home to
execute the seizure Order. One officer answered that, since the defendants

had the seizure Order, Plaintiffs had to allow defendants to search Plaintiffs' home for purposes of a seizure. The officer told Plaintiff Richard Snyder that
he and the other officers were present to "keep the peace."
16. Other than Wadyka, Defendant Lewin did not identify or introduce the other

non-officers who entered Plaintiffs' home, nor did any of the non-officers

who entered Plaintiffs' home introduce themselves to Plaintiffs at any time
during the search.

17. Prior to conducting the search, Plaintiffs were not provided with a copy of the seizure Order by any of the Defendants or by the Herndon Police officers.

At some point, someone did leave a copy of the seizure Order on a kitchen
counter in Plaintiffs' home.

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18. At all times, the search of Plaintiffs' home was controlled, orchestrated and
directed by defendant Lewin, who also participated, aided and abetted the

search and seizure with defendants Hajek and Wadyka. 19. As a result of the seizure Order, the agreement between defendants and the Herndon Police, the Police's delegation or ceding of authority to defendants
and their joint efforts, defendants acted under color of law in controlling,

directing, perpetrating and aiding and abetting the search and seizure at
Plaintiffs' home.
The reporter

20. Accompanying defendants into Plaintiffs' home on December 8, 2006 was an
unidentified woman, who Plaintiffs' reasonably believed was a lawyer,

employee or agent of defendants or DVF.

For example, when Plaintiff

Catherine Snyder wanted to step outside to her front porch, the woman cautioned her "not to go outside." At no time during the search and seizure

did defendants or the Herndon police officers identify or introduce the
woman. Neither defendants nor the Herndon police officers sought Plaintiffs' consent for the woman to be present. 21. On information and belief, the woman was brought to Plaintiffs' home by defendants and not the Herndon Police officers, although the latter did know

her identity and occupation prior to their arrival at Plaintiffs' home.
22. Approximately five months later in April 2007, Plaintiffs learned that the
woman who accompanied defendants on December 8, 2006 was Larissa Macfarquar, a reporter for the New Yorker magazine.

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23. Upon information and belief, defendants, and particularly defendant Lewin, orchestrated the events that resulted in Macfarquar's unlawful trespass of Plaintiffs' home on December 8, 2006. The seizure Order was used by defendants as the premise and pretext by which Macfarquar gained access to
Plaintiffs' home on December 8, 2006.

24. Upon information and belief, the impetus for Macfarquar's unlawful presence
in Plaintiffs' home was an article she was writing for the New Yorker

profiling defendant Lewin's escapades as an attorney for defendant
Greenberg Traurig. 25. On or about March 19, 2007, the New Yorker published an article, under

Macfarquer's byline, entitled "Bag Man." The article is a profile of defendant Lewin and recounts, among other things, his actions and practices

in executing seizure Orders, including defendants December 8, 2006 search
and seizure at Plaintiffs' home. 26. Defendant Lewin republished the New Yorker article on his biography page

on the Greenberg Traurig firm website. Upon information and belief,
defendants Lewin and Greenberg Traurig use the New Yorker article to market for new business for their trademark litigation practice.

27. Upon information and belief and as recounted in the New Yorker article, in connection with the December 8, 2006 search and seizure, defendant Lewin
took MacFarquar on a tour of Plaintiffs' home and allowed himself to be

interviewed about the search and seizure. 28. Defendant Lewin made statements to MacFarquar about Plaintiffs' family

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stability and lifestyle, which statements were false, defamatory and made with the intention to injure Plaintiffs' reputation. MacFarquar published defendant Lewin's statements in the New Yorker article, to wit that there was
"something very wrong in that [Plaintiffs'] house" and that Plaintiffs would

not have "adult toys ... unless they couldn't spend their money any other
way."
The search

29. The seizure Order limited the items to be seized from Plaintiffs' home to the
following:

a.

any and all unauthorized and unlicensed merchandise bearing the DVF
marks, as well as the means for making the same;

b.

the books and records relating thereto, including but not limited to records

and data contained in electronic format on computers, servers, hard drives,
zip drives and disks;

c.

the containers or vehicles in which the same are held or transported, which
Defendants sell, attempt to sell or hold for sale: and

d.

any counterfeit DVF product, reproduction, copies or colorable imitations
thereof, including dresses or other items.

See also 15 U.S.C. 1116(d)(l)(A)(seizure order shall be limited to "seizure of goods and counterfeit marks involved in such violation and the means of making such
marks, and records documenting the manufacture, sale, or receipt of things involved in
such violation").

30. In addition to items falling within the seizure Order, defendants seized the

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following items from Plaintiffs' home on December 8, 2006

e.

Plaintiffs' marriage certificate

f.
g. h.

Plaintiffs' and their two children's birth certificates
Plaintiffs' son's report card Plaintiffs' seven year old son's username and password for the Fairfax

County Schools' e-learning tool website; i. j.
k.

Plaintiffs' social security benefits statements Plaintiffs' children's social security cards
Personal clothing of Plaintiff Catherine Snyder' s

1.

A dress bearing the Marc Jacobs label

m. Plaintiffs' vehicle registration renewal form n. o. Mortgage settlement documents relating to Plaintiffs' current home Mortgage settlement documents relating to two homes previously owned by Plaintiffs p.
q.

Plaintiff Catherine Snyder's life insurance policy
Plaintiffs' pending bills

r.

Plaintiffs' tax returns for 2002, 2003, 2204, and 2005

s. t.

Plaintiffs' bill statements for 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 A notebook containing all of the usemames and passwords to personal websites used by plaintiff Catherine Snyder

u.

Plaintiffs' bank account statements, both personal and business

v.

From Plaintiff Catherine Snyder's wallet, all of her personal credit cards

w. Plaintiffs' inactivated personal credit cards

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x. y.

Plaintiff Catherine Snyder' s business license Plaintiff Catherine Snyder's federal tax i.d. number

z.

Plaintiff Catherine Snyder's Western Union customer account number

aa. The access code for Plaintiffs' personal voice mail account bb. The telephone number of Plaintiff Richard Snyder's place of employment
cc. The access number to Plaintiffs' bank account dd. Plaintiff Richard Snyder's pay statements

ee. Two checkbooks, including blank checks ff. The passwords for Plaintiff Catherine Snyder's eBay and PayPal accounts. gg. The personal bank account number of Plaintiff Catherine Snyder's mother.
31. None of the items listed in paragraph 30 falls within the limits of the seizure

Order. Plaintiffs did not consent to the seizure of any of the items listed in
paragraph 30.

32. Defendants search and seizure at Plaintiffs home lasted three or more hours.

In conducting the search, Defendants had the opportunity and took the opportunity to review the contents of papers, paper files and computer files.

COUNT ONE

(42 U.S.C. 1983/Bivens) 33. Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege each and every allegation set forth in
paragraphs 1 to 32 as if fully repeated herein.

34. The Supreme Court held in Wilson et al v. Laytie that a media "ride-along",

while executing a warrant in a home, is an unreasonable search under the

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Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

35. Defendants' knowing and willful actions in facilitating MacFarquar's access
to Plaintiffs' home, without Plaintiffs' knowledge or consent, for the specific

purpose of writing an article about Defendant Lewin's search and seizure
activities deprived Plaintiffs of their rights guaranteed by the Fourth and
Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.

36. As a direct result of Defendants' unlawful actions, Plaintiffs have suffered substantial injuries and damage.
COUNT TWO

(42 U.S.C. 1983/Bivens)
37. Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege each and every allegation set forth in

paragraphs 1 to 36 as if fully repeated herein.

38. The seizure by defendants of Plaintiffs' private papers and personal belongings, as set out in paragraph 30, exceeded the scope of the seizure
Order.

39. Defendants, knowingly and willfully, exceeded the scope of the seizure
Order.

40. Defendants knew or should have known that the items set out in paragraph
30 did not fall within the scope of the seizure Order.

41. Defendants' actions constituted an unreasonable search and seizure under the
Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

42. Defendants' actions deprived Plaintiffs of their rights guaranteed by the
Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.

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43. As a direct result of Defendants' unlawful actions, Plaintiffs have suffered

substantial injuries and damage.
COUNT THREE

(Invasion of Privacy)
44. Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege each and every allegation set forth in

paragraphs 1 to 43 as if fully repeated herein. 45. Defendant Lewin intentionally and unlawfully disclosed Plaintiffs' names and
identities to a magazine reporter for the purpose of advancing his legal practice, trade and private economic interests.

46. The conduct of defendant Lewin constituted an invasion of Plaintiffs' privacy. 47. As a direct result of the unlawful actions of defendant Lewin, Plaintiffs have suffered substantial injuries and damages.
COUNTFOUR

(defamation)
48. Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege each and every allegation set forth in

paragraphs 1 through 47 as if fully repeated herein.
49. During his interview with MacFarquar, the reporter, on or about December

8, 2006, defendant Lewin made statements to the reporter concerning Plaintiffs' family stability and lifestyle.
50. Defendant Lewin made these statements knowing that MacFarquar could use
them in her New Yorker article.

51. Defendant Lewin's statements were false and defamatory. 52. Defendant Lewin uttered these statements with actual malice and in reckless

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60. Defendants' actions in, among other things: (a) intentionally seizing personal
information and property to which they were not entitled under the seizure

Order; (b) facilitating a reporter's unlawful access to Plaintiff's home for the
purpose of advancing their own legal practice and trade; (c) transgressing

Plaintiffs' constitutional rights, (d) making false statements about Plaintiffs
knowing of the likelihood that such statements would be published, and (e)
re-publishing those statements on their internet website offend the standards

of decency and morality of the community and civil society.
61. As a direct result of Defendants' unlawful and outrageous conduct, Plaintiffs and their sons suffered mental anguish, embarrassment, humiliation, depression, and an inability to work.
COUNT SEVEN

(aiding and abetting trespass) 62. Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege each and every allegation set forth in
paragraphs 1 to 61 as if fully repeated herein.

63. Defendants aided and abetted the unlawful trespass on Plaintiffs' property by
MacFarquar

64. As a direct result of Defendants' unlawful conduct, Plaintiffs have suffered
substantial injury and damages. COUNT EIGHT

(abuse of process)
65. Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege each and every allegation contained in

paragraphs 1 to 64 as if fully repeated herein. 66. In facilitating the unlawful access of MacFarquar, the reporter, to Plaintiffs'

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disregard of their truth or falsity. 53. Defendant Lewin re-published the defamatory statements on his firm's

website.
54. As a direct result of the unlawful actions of defendants Lewin, Plaintiffs have

suffered substantial injury and damages.
COUNT FIVE

(conversion)
55. Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege each and every allegation set forth in

paragraphs 1 to 54 as if fully repeated herein.
56. Defendants intentionally and wrongfully assumed possession and control

over Plaintiffs' private papers and personal property in contravention of
Plaintiffs' ownership rights.
57. As a direct result of Defendants' unlawful actions, Plaintiffs have suffered

substantial injury and damages.
COUNT SIX

(intentional infliction of emotional distress) 58. Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege each and every allegation set forth in

paragraphs 1 to 57 as if fully repeated herein.
59. Defendants' actions in, among other things: (a) exceeding the scope of the seizure Order and taking possession of Plaintiffs' personal papers and

personal belongings; (b) facilitating a reporter's unlawful access to Plaintiffs'
home, (c) uttering defamatory statements to the reporter knowing that those statements could be used in the reporter's planned article were intentional
and reckless, and re-publishing those statements on their internet website.

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property, Defendants acted for the purpose of obtaining positive publicity

regarding their legal practice and trade and to enhance their private economic

interests.
67. Defendants actions were an unlawful and improper use of the seizure Orders. 68. A seizure order under federal law is an extraordinary remedy. Persons, like defendants, act with an improper purpose when they use a seizure order for purposes of discovery, to fish for evidence of other alleged crimes, or to gain

control over property that is not covered under the seizure order or
authorized under the Act. See 15 U.S.C. § 1116.

69. Defendants' seizures of personal papers and property, as listed in paragraph 30, exceeded the limitations of the seizure Order. 70. Seizing property, which fells outside the scope of a seizure order, is improper in the regular prosecution of a seizure order.

71. Defendants' actions in seizing property outside the scope of the seizure
Order were knowing and willful and taken with actual malice.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand judgment as follows:
A. Damages in an amount of $250,000

B. Punitive damages in an amount of $2,500,000

C. An award of attorneys' fees, costs and disbursements incurred in this action,
and

D. For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
JURY DEMAND

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Plaintiffs demand a trial by jury on all issues.

/Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Snyder

Richard Snyder
603 Nash Street

Herndon, Virginia 20170
703-707-8130

Plaintiffs in Pro Se

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
(Alexandria Division)

CATHERINE SNYDER,

RICHARD SNYDER

Plaintiffs,
v.

GREENBERG, TRAURIG et al,

Defendants.

J

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Civil Action No.: 07CV0469

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

We hereby certify that on this 23rd day of July 2007, the foregoing Amended Complaint
was mailed to Defendants Counsel via US mail, at the following address:

THOMAS G. CONNOLLY
Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis, LLP

1200 18th Street, N.W.

Suite 1200
Washington, D.C. 20036

Catherine Snydj

Richard Snyder
603 Nash Street

Herndon, Virginia 20170
Phone: [phone]

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PlaintifiEs in pro se