DENVER—Two trial attorneys are being ordered to pay the costs and fees of opposing lawyers and have had their court victory overturned after a judge said they acted “cavalier and abusive” during a recent trial.
U.S. District Senior Judge Richard Matsch ordered the sanctions against attorneys Vera Elson and Terrance McMahon of the law firm McDermott, Will and Emery of Chicago and San Francisco.
Matsch said the 13-day patent infringement trial was “frivolous,” and said it was only filed to stifle competition—not to protect a patent.
A jury had ruled in favor of Elson and McMahon’s client, and awarded $51 million. Matsch threw out the verdict and awarded fees to opposing counsel.
The Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Matsch’s decision.
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Information from: The Denver Post,
