Confidential
Published: Aug. 7, 2001 | Result Date: Feb. 7, 2001 |Case number: DUM0002145 Verdict – $720,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Paul S. White
(Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP)
Defendant
Cynthia J. Emry
(Jackson Lewis PC)
Donna D. Melby
(Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP)
Facts
The plaintiff was a leased employee of the defendant. An officer of the defendant allegedly told a third party
customer that the plaintiff had been cheating him and that the plaintiff was not a reputable businessman. The
plaintiff alleged slander per se.
The defendant contended that the statements were not made, and if they were made, they were true.
Settlement Discussions
The defendants offered $100,000 reduced to $50,000 during trial and renewed offer after courtÆs tentative ruling to grant motion for nonsuit and directed verdict. The plaintiff demanded six figures.
Result
A second defendant represented by the same law firm was dismissed voluntarily during trial after defense counsel filed a nonsuit motion as to that defendant.
Other Information
The court trifurcated the trial. The case settled for a confidential amount while the jury was deliberating punitive damages. The jury indicated that it would not have awarded punitive damages.
Deliberation
two days
Poll
12-0 (liability), 9-3 (damages)
Length
nine days
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