Mere Lack of Merit Not Enough – R. 11 Not Substitute for 12(b)(6)/56 — Court Needs Evidence Outside Complaint to Determine Factual Baselessness — Failure of Complaint to Put Defendant on Notice Not R 11 Violation — Forum Shopping/Improper Venue Not Enough for Dismissal, Just $

 James v. Caterpillar, Inc., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 26593 (6th Cir. Aug. 20, 2020) (unpublished): ...
 James v. Caterpillar, Inc., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 26593 (6th Cir. Aug. 20, 2020) (unpublished): Courts typically reserve the “death penalty” sanction of dismissal with prejudice for the most egregious cases—those that involve, for example, willful misconduct, bad faith, fraud, …
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R 37/Inherent Power (IHP): Decision Not to Sanction Reviewed for Abuse of Discretion — Clear and Convincing Evid for IHP — Rules 26/37 Primary Tools for Discovery Abuse, Not IHP — Fraud on Court: Judge May Leave Credibility Issue to Jury, Deny Sanction

 Yukos Capital S.A.R.L. v. Feldman, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 31909, 2020 WL 5948910 (2d Cir. Oct. 8, 2020):*1
 Yukos Capital S.A.R.L. v. Feldman, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 31909, 2020 WL 5948910 (2d Cir. Oct. 8, 2020):*1 This is a case about a disloyal employee, Daniel Feldman, the Defendant.1 After trial, a jury found that Feldman…
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“Summary Judgment Is the Put Up or Shut Up Moment in a Lawsuit”

In re Delta Phones, Inc., 2005 WL 3542667 (N.D. Ill. Dec. 23, 2005): Summary judgment is the “put up or shut up moment in a lawsuit, when a party must show what evidence it has that would convince a trier of fact to accept its version of events.” ...
In re Delta Phones, Inc., 2005 WL 3542667 (N.D. Ill. Dec. 23, 2005): Summary judgment is the “put up or shut up moment in a lawsuit, when a party must show what evidence it has that would convince a…
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R. 11 Sanctions: Dismissal with Prejudice and Attorney’s Fees for Pro Ses’ Persisting in Frivolous Venue and Service Arguments Despite Warnings from Court — No Protection from 41(b)

 Khan v. Hemosphere Inc., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25726 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 13, 2020): These appeals arise from an action for patent infringement. Drs. Nazir Khan and Iftikhar Khan accused Hemosphere Inc., ...
Khan v. Hemosphere Inc., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25726 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 13, 2020): These appeals arise from an action for patent infringement. Drs. Nazir Khan and Iftikhar Khan accused Hemosphere Inc., CryoLife Inc., and Merit Medical Systems, Inc., along …
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R. 37 & Inherent Power (IHP) Sanctions: Permissive Adverse Inference OK Not Disclosing Witness After Reliance on Wit. Required (26(a)(1), (e)) —Plain Error Rare in Civil Case — IHP: Narrow Exception to Bad Faith Requirement

 Higgs v. Costa Crociere S.P.A. Co., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25793 (11th Cir. Aug. 14, 2020): On Christmas Eve, 2014, Joyce Higgs tripped over a bucket in a dining area of the cruise ship Costa Lumi ...
Higgs v. Costa Crociere S.P.A. Co., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25793 (11th Cir. Aug. 14, 2020): On Christmas Eve, 2014, Joyce Higgs tripped over a bucket in a dining area of the cruise ship Costa Luminosa and sustained serious injuries …
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Rule 37 Sanctions: Until Amount of Attorney’s Fees Is Set, No Final Order Or Appellate Jurisdiction Exists, Even If Fee Award Is Only One Part of Larger Award, Including Default Judgment and Dismissal of Counterclaims

 People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc. v. Dade City's Wild Things, Inc., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 26042 (11th Cir. Aug. 17, 2020): BY THE COURT: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Ani ...
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc. v. Dade City's Wild Things, Inc., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 26042 (11th Cir. Aug. 17, 2020): BY THE COURT: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc.'s ("PETA") motion to dismiss…
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Common Core Doctrine: Fees Awardable for Claims Involving Common Facts Or Related Legal Theories, Even If Only One Triggers Fee-Shifting — Noncompliance with Bankruptcy Court Order Sanctionable via Striking Pleading on Analogy to Rule 37(b)

Ridgeway v. Stryker Corp. (Matter of Ridgeway), 2020 WL 5226553 (5th Cir. Sept. 2, 2020): *1 For the last seven years, Christopher Martin Ridgeway and his former employer have waged scorched-earth lawfare against one another. Ridgeway has lost every battle and incurred millions of dollars in damages, sanctio ...
Ridgeway v. Stryker Corp. (Matter of Ridgeway), 2020 WL 5226553 (5th Cir. Sept. 2, 2020): *1 For the last seven years, Christopher Martin Ridgeway and his former employer have waged scorched-earth lawfare against one another. Ridgeway has lost every battle…
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R. 11 Sanctions: Due Process—Flexible Notice, Substantial Compliance — OK to Issue OSC in 1 of 15 Cases & Dismiss All — Prisoner’s Knowledge of Own Conduct = Notice — Order Must State Specific Basis of Sxs — Types of Vexatious Lit Injn

Cobble v. U.S. Government, 816 Fed.Appx. 355 (11th Cir. 2020) (unpublished): PER CURIAM: In these consolidated appeals, Petitioner/Appellant Daniel Cobble1 (“Cobble”) appeals the district court’s order dismissing with prejudice, as a sanction, his pro se a ...
Cobble v. U.S. Government, 816 Fed.Appx. 355 (11th Cir. 2020) (unpublished): PER CURIAM: In these consolidated appeals, Petitioner/Appellant Daniel Cobble1 (“Cobble”) appeals the district court’s order dismissing with prejudice, as a sanction, his pro se actions, filed pursuant to…
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Inherent Power/Rules 26, 37: Even Absent Spoliation, Evasive Discovery Action Punishable by Fee Award Calibrated Per Goodyear v. Haeger & Denial of 54(b) Costs — History, Importance of Jury Trial

Edwards v. 4JLJ, LLC, 2020 WL 5229686 (5th Cir. Sept. 2, 2020): *1 4JLJ, LLC provides oil well pump and frack services. A group of its employees sued 4JLJ under the Fair Labor Standards Act, alleging that 4JLJ violated the FLSA’s overtime wage mandates. 4JLJ paid the Employees two different types of bonuses—a stag ...
Edwards v. 4JLJ, LLC, 2020 WL 5229686 (5th Cir. Sept. 2, 2020): *1 4JLJ, LLC provides oil well pump and frack services. A group of its employees sued 4JLJ under the Fair Labor Standards Act, alleging that 4JLJ violated the…
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Electronic Spoliation: Inherent Power—Fraud on Court Requires Clear & Convincing Evidence — Factors — Dismissal Requires Willfulness, Consideration of Less Drastic Sanctions — [No Reference to 37(e), Which Governs]

ComLab Corp. v. Tire, 815 Fed.Appx. 597 (2d Cir. 2020) (unpublished): SUMMARY ORDER Plaintiff-Appellant ComLab, Corp. (“ComLab”) brings this consolidated appeal challenging two judgments of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The first appeal concerns a September 11, ...
ComLab Corp. v. Tire, 815 Fed.Appx. 597 (2d Cir. 2020) (unpublished): SUMMARY ORDER Plaintiff-Appellant ComLab, Corp. (“ComLab”) brings this consolidated appeal challenging two judgments of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The first appeal…
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Good Faith Reliance on Information Received from In-House Counsel, Verified After Challenge Raised, Defeats Rule 11 Sanction Sought for Misrepresenting Corporate Status

Huang v. Mediatek USA, Inc.815 Fed.Appx. 521 (Fed. Cir. 2020): This appeal arises from an action for patent infringement. Xiaohua Huang accused MediaTek USA Inc., formerly known as Nephos Inc., of infringing certain claims of
Huang v. Mediatek USA, Inc.815 Fed.Appx. 521 (Fed. Cir. 2020): This appeal arises from an action for patent infringement. Xiaohua Huang accused MediaTek USA Inc., formerly known as Nephos Inc., of infringing certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,744,653 and…
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Appeals: FRAP 38 Sanctions Apt If Appeal Is Wholly without Merit, There Is No Reasonable Expectation of Success — § 1927 Sanctions If Lawyer Reasonably Should Have Known Claim Is Frivolous

 T.V.S. v. Akron City Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25457 (6th Cir. Aug. 11, 2020): ¶¶ ORDER Akron City School District Board of Education, Akron City School District, and its employees Da ...
T.V.S. v. Akron City Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25457 (6th Cir. Aug. 11, 2020): ¶¶ ORDER Akron City School District Board of Education, Akron City School District, and its employees David W. James, Philomena Vincente,…
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Rule 11 Sanctions Apt Where All Claims Barred by Statute of Limitations & Res Judicata [Even Though These Are Affirmative Defenses]

 Whitted v. Jordan, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 24942 (9th Cir. Aug. 5, 2020) (unpublished): MEMORANDUM* Stephen Whitted appeals the adverse summary ...
Whitted v. Jordan, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 24942 (9th Cir. Aug. 5, 2020) (unpublished): MEMORANDUM* Stephen Whitted appeals the adverse summary judgment ruling on his claims of intentional interference with a parent-child relationship, civil conspiracy, abuse of process, constitutional…
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Rule 11 Sanctions Are Generally Reserved for Rare and Exceptional Cases (Good Quote)

 Eurosesmillas, S.A. v. Uttarwar, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25578 (9th Cir. Aug. 10, 2020) (unpublished): MEMORANDUM*  
Eurosesmillas, S.A. v. Uttarwar, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25578 (9th Cir. Aug. 10, 2020) (unpublished): MEMORANDUM*  Eurosesmillas, S.A. v. Uttarwar, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25578 (9th Cir. Aug. 10, 2020) (unpublished): Mohan Uttarwar and Piyush Gupta appeal from the…
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Bankruptcy: Presumptive Sanction for Breach of § 329(a) (Fee Agreements) Is Loss of All Fees —Not Least Severe Sanction — Rule 11 Inapt — Mitigating Circumstances Must Be Compelling

SE Prop. Holdings, LLC v. Stewart (In re Stewart), 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25882 (10th Cir. Aug. 14, 2020): Attorney Ruston Welch received $348,404.41 in fees for representing David and Terry Stewart in their C ...
SE Prop. Holdings, LLC v. Stewart (In re Stewart), 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 25882 (10th Cir. Aug. 14, 2020): Attorney Ruston Welch received $348,404.41 in fees for representing David and Terry Stewart in their Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. This appeal …
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Inherent Power Sanctions for Ethical Rule Violations: Insulting Counsel, Mediator, Court Rptr; Physical Threat — Reprimand As Serious SX — Bad Faith Needed Only for Fees — Due Process: Notice of Type, Severity of Possible SX Critical

   Golden v. Clear Advantage Mktg., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 88130,2020 WL 2516671 (S.D. Iowa Mar. 30, 2020): *1 The issues now before the court present a pure credibility dispute, alth ...
Golden v. Clear Advantage Mktg., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 88130,2020 WL 2516671 (S.D. Iowa Mar. 30, 2020): *1 The issues now before the court present a pure credibility dispute, although not concerning the merits of the underlying copyright and…
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Spoliation Sanctions: Preclusion for Failing to Preserve Most Data-Filled Form of ESI — Alt’ve Not Reasonably Usable — Preclusion ¹ Dispositive (MJ) If Other Evid. Exists — 2d Cir. Disc’y Sxs Factors (Pro, Con)—Client Sx’d for Atty Error

 Joint Stock Co. "Channel One Russ. Worldwide" v. Infomir LLC, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63099 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 26, 2020): Plaintiffs, a group of Russian television broadcasters, commenced this a ...
Joint Stock Co. "Channel One Russ. Worldwide" v. Infomir LLC, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63099 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 26, 2020): Plaintiffs, a group of Russian television broadcasters, commenced this action on February 19, 2016 against various Defendants, [*3]  including Infomir LLC …
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Facebook Authentication: FB Certification of Identity of Page Owner + Circumstantial Evidence Explaining Why S/he’d Defriend 2nd ID’ed FB Subscriber Authenticatse Defriending — Rule 901(a) Test: Could Reasonable Juror Could Find Auth. by Preponderance

State v. Sample, 2020 WL 2316709 (Md. Ct. App. May 11, 2020): *1 It is axiomatic that for a trial court to admit evidence, there must be sufficient indicia that the evidence is authentic—i.e., that the evidence “is what its proponent claims.” Md. R. 5-901(a). A party can sufficiently authenticate eviden ...
State v. Sample, 2020 WL 2316709 (Md. Ct. App. May 11, 2020): *1 It is axiomatic that for a trial court to admit evidence, there must be sufficient indicia that the evidence is authentic—i.e., that the evidence “is what its…
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Supreme Court: Party May Assert Defense in 2nd Action, Even If It Could Have Been Asserted in 1st Action, Unless It Would Violate Traditional Res Judicata Principles — Issue Or Claim Preclusion (Merger Or Bar)

 Lucky Brand Dungarees v. Marcel Fashions Group, 2020 U.S. LEXIS 2642 (U.S. May 14, 2020): This case arises from protracted litigation between petitioners Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc., and others (collectiv ...
Lucky Brand Dungarees v. Marcel Fashions Group, 2020 U.S. LEXIS 2642 (U.S. May 14, 2020): This case arises from protracted litigation between petitioners Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc., and others (collectively Lucky Brand) and respondent Marcel Fashions Group, Inc. (Marcel). In …
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§1927 Liability Can Be Joint/Several with Client Who Is Otherwise Sanctioned for Same Acts — Colorable Claims Can Be Pursued Vexatiously — Bad Faith Not Required in 10th Cir. — Reckless Indifference to Duties to Court Enough

 Snyder v. Acord Corp., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 12889 (10th ORDER AND JUDGMENT* Seventeen Colorado homeowners ("Plaintiffs") brought an act ...
Snyder v. Acord Corp., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 12889 (10th ORDER AND JUDGMENT* Seventeen Colorado homeowners ("Plaintiffs") brought an action raising federal-and state-law claims against insurance companies, trade associations, and consulting firms ("Defendants"). The district court dismissed the complaint,…
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Recent Posts

Rule 37(c)(1) Sanctions — Exclusion of Critical Evidence Generally Requires Willful Deception or Flagrant Disregard of Court Order — Disclosure of Undisclosed Rule 26(a)(1)(A)(i) During Discovery Precludes Claim of Surprise or Prejudice (and Satisfies Rule 26(e)(1)(A))

Inherent Power Sanctions — Notice of Contemplated Sanctions against Client (in Motion and Show Cause Order) Did Not Provide Notice of Potential Sanctions against Counsel — Finding of Bad Faith Required for Inherent Power Sanctions

Spoliation Sanctions: (1) Meaning of “Relevance” for Preservation vs. for Adverse Inference Purposes; (2) Only “Very Slight Showing” of Latter Required; (3) Adverse Inference Instruction OK for Negligent Spoliation of Tangible Evidence in D.C. Cir.; (4) Preponderance of Evidence for Adverse Inference Instruction vs. Clear & Convincing for Attorney’s Fees; (5) Wide Range of Inherent Power Sanctions Available; (6) Two Sets of Factors for Adverse Inference Instruction (D.C. Cir.) — Prerequisites and Propriety in the Circumstances; (7) Ordinary vs. Gross Negligence; (8) Cite

Rule 11 Sanctions Should Be Allocated Among Persons Responsible — Not Imposed Lightly As Misapplication Can Chill Counsel’s Enthusiasm and Stifle Creativity in Pursuing Novel Factual Or Legal Theories — Disgorgement of Fees into Court — Focus of Improper Purpose Inquiry Is On Objective Facts Supporting Inference Goal Was Harassment Or Unnecessary Delay — While Rule 11 Is Not Intended to Be Compensatory in First Instance, Effective Deterrence May Require Compensation of Victim — Rule 37 Sanctions: Where Case Has Been Dismissed after Violation, Best Sanction Is Award of Fees and Expenses Incurred in Bringing Motions to Compel and for Sanctions Against Client and Counsel Jointly

Rule 37(c) Preclusion for 26(a)(1) Non-Disclosure Requires Harm to Opponent, And Harm Doesn’t Require Preclusion — Preclusion Factors (1st Cir.) — “Substantially Justified” And “Harmless[ness]” Exceptions — Late Disclosure Can Be Harmless Even If It Follows Filing of Summary Judgment Motion

Circuit Split: District Court Lacks Jurisdiction to Modify Protective Order after Rule 41(a)(1) Dismissal (11th Cir. (2-1))— Not a “Collateral Matter” over Which Jurisdiction Remains (Like Costs, Fees, Contempt Sanctions, Rule 11 Sanctions, and Motions to Confirm Arbitral Awards) — Stipulated Protective Order Is an Enforceable Contract, Subject to Post-Dismissal Lawsuit — Strong Dissenting Opinion

“The purpose of a Rule 11 sanction is to punish ‘unprofessional conduct in litigation'” — Bankruptcy: Automatic Stay Does Not Preclude Imposition of Contempt Sanctions: “‘[a] litigant should not be allowed to delay the imposition of sanctions indefinitely by the expedient of declaring bankruptcy'”

Rule 11 Sanctions: Attorney May Not Rely on Clients When Objectively Unreasonable — Cannot Rely on Discovery to Bring Claims with No Factual Basis — Specific Identification Requirement — $10,000 Deterrent Penalty OK — Factors from Adv. Comm. Note Adopted

Rule 37 Sanctions for Impeding, Delaying, Frustrating Deposition — Intricacies of Remote Deposition Protocols and 30(b)(6) Witnesses Using Notes — No Duty to ID Which 30(b)(6) Topic a Question Relates to — When a Protective Order Is a R. 37(b) Order — Sanctions Must Be Proportional to Offense — Motion to Strike = Objection — When Inherent Power Sanctions for Deposition Misconduct Are Apt

Rule 37 Sanctions: Second Circuit Factors — Exclusion of Witness Not Disclosed Per 26(a) Apt — “Interviewing a Witness Late in the Process Does Not Provide Cover for a Revised Disclosure” — Reconsideration Factors

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