Facts

Daniel Chambers worked for Rudamac Inc. dba California Litho-Arts, a commercial printer. T/O Printing and Rudamac were competitors. Chambers resigned from Rudamac and entered into an employment agreement with T/O Printing, which was owned by Consolidated Graphics. Rudamac sued Chambers, T/O Printing, and Consolidated Graphics for claims, which included breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriating confidential information and trade secrets, and intentional interference with prospective economic relations.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Rudamac claimed that Chambers solicited its customers, devised a scheme to transfer its business to T/O Printing and Consolidated Graphics, and interfered with work orders from Rudamac's customers while he was still working for plaintiff. T/O Printing and Consolidated Graphics were complicit and aided and encouraged Chambers conduct.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The defense denied liability, claimed that Rudamac had no trade secrets, and asserted that customers voluntarily followed Chambers to T/O Printing.

Damages

The plaintiff requested either $14,414,182 in disgorgement or, alternatively, $9,980,369 in lost profits.

Result

The jury awarded plaintiff $5,698,000 in compensatory damages and $8,147,000 in punitive damages.

Other Information

Motions for JNOV and new trial are pending.