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Business Law
Unfair Competition
Trade Secret Divulgence

Southern California Attorney Service, Inc. v. Advanced Attorney Services, Inc.

Published: Oct. 11, 1997 | Result Date: Sep. 22, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 697076 –  $0

Judge

Thomas O. LaVoy

Court

San Diego Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Russell A. Gold
(Fox Law APC)

Timothy R. Pestotnik
(Pestotnik LLP)


Defendant

Susan E. Kirkgaard
(Law Offices of John A Biard)

Joel M. Pressman
(Judicate West)


Experts

Plaintiff

Deborah June Schuff
(technical)

Michael Samson
(technical)

Defendant

James Hughes
(technical)

Tony Yip
(technical)

Facts

The plaintiff, Southern California Attorney Service, employed defendants, Michael Brown and Tony Trolinger, at its San Diego office. Trolinger served as office manager while Brown was the Executive Account Representative. They resigned from their employment on Jan. 3, 1996 and set up their own company, Advance Attorney Services Inc. One month later, the plaintiff sued defendants alleging unfair competition and trade secret violations.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a settlement demand of $500,000, plus costs. The defendants made no offer to settle.

Damages

The plaintiff claimed lost profits in the range of $1.75 million to $2.54 million.

Other Information

Per the defendant, a nonsuit was declared as to seven of 10 causes of action. The plaintiff then dismissed the remaining causes of action in exchange for a waiver of malicious prosecution. Per the plaintiff, the case settled during trial, each party bearing its own attorney fees and costs and releasing the other from all existing and potential claims arising from the suit. SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: A settlement conference was held in February 1997 before the Hon. Harry R. McCue (Ret.). It did not resolve the matter.

Length

four days


#79683

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