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Contracts
Breach of Contract
Newspaper

SPC/Pomona LLC v. MediaNews Group Inc.

Published: May 6, 2003 | Result Date: Apr. 18, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: KC037558 Verdict –  $2,740,880

Judge

R. Bruce Minto

Court

L.A. Superior Pomona


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Steven H. Gardner

Jeffrey M. Cohon


Defendant

Theresa A. Kristovich
(Kabat, Chapman & Ozmer LLP)

Alicia D. Mew


Experts

Plaintiff

Peter A. Salomon
(technical)

John S. Hekman
(technical)

Defendant

Bernard J. Bottomley
(technical)

Dominic LoBuglio
(technical)

Facts

The plaintiff owns the Smurfit Newsprint Corporation of California's newsprint mill in Pomona. The defendant MediaNews Group Inc. is the seventh-largest newspaper owner in the United States and locally publishes the Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press Telegram, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, San Bernardino Sun and others.
MediaNews contracted to buy 25 percent of the Pomona Mill's production for two years, but subsequently complained of price overcharges arising from the parties' contractual pricing formula. After the filing of the action, MediaNews paid the plaintiff $2.4 million for past purchases, and, in addition, the jury gave SPC a verdict of $2,740,877.

Settlement Discussions

The parties met in pre-litigation settlement discussions which were required by the contract. One executive mediation as well as a court-ordered mediation were held. Finally, a mandatory settlement conference was held before Haley Fromholz.

Deliberation

five hours

Poll

12-0

Length

12 days


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