Even though a party didn’t have to pay her own attorneys’ fees, she had incurred reasonable expenses that could be awarded as sanctions, the Virginia Supreme Court has held in a matter of first impression. “We conclude that regardless of ...

Tagged with: Justice Stephen R. McCullough Sanctions Supreme Court of Virginia

The plaintiff in a long-running dispute over the management and distribution of the assets of a bankrupt partnership must pay the defendant’s legal fees, a federal judge has ruled. In this case, the plaintiff’s amended complaint “is baseless on all ...

Tagged with: Judge Claude M. Hilton Sanctions U.S. District Court - Eastern District

Where the plaintiff failed to support any of her claims with evidence, no reasonable person would believe the claims were factually justified and it appeared the suit was filed for an improper purpose, the plaintiff must pay the defendants’ legal ...

Tagged with: Judge Claude M. Hilton Sanctions U.S. District Court - Eastern District

Where a company suing its former sales agent for unlawful competition showed that agent spoliated evidence, it was awarded its fees and costs incurred in preparing the spoliation motion. Its fee request, however, was reduced by 5% because it included ...

Tagged with: Judge Roderick C. Young Sanctions U.S. District Court - Eastern District

Although an attorney offered no legitimate reason for why he included details about the psychiatric condition of his client’s ex-girlfriend on the public docket, and the level of detail was seemingly designed to embarrass her, because the attorney moved to ...

Tagged with: Judge Norman K. Moon Sanctions U.S. District Court - Western District

Where a former vice president of communications and public engagement for Liberty University failed to preserve his iPhone and note taking account after he sued Liberty University for violating Title VII, the evidence and testimony showed he did so with ...

Tagged with: Judge Norman K. Moon Sanctions U.S. District Court - Western District

Where defendants failed to comply with post-judgment discovery orders, and failed to produce the documents even after promising to do so at a February 2022 hearing, they were adjudged in contempt and daily fines were imposed. Background This matter is ...

Tagged with: Judge Michael F. Urbanski Sanctions U.S. District Court - Western District

Where defendants’ attorneys argued a statement in a notice of voluntary dismissal filed by plaintiffs’ attorneys violated Rule 11, their motion for sanctions was denied because Rule 11’s “later advocating” provision did not extend to the dismissal notice. Background The ...

Tagged with: Judge Robert E. Payne Sanctions U.S. District Court - Eastern District

Where a jury found two companies’ statements about probiotics constituted false advertising, the district court enjoined them from making certain statements about the products. But when they violated that order, the court did not err in holding the companies in ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Albert Diaz Sanctions

Where a company suing for trademark infringement willfully fabricated evidence to support its claims, resulting in prejudice to the defendant and the judicial process, the lawsuit was dismissed and the defendants were awarded their attorneys’ fees and costs spent investigating ...

Tagged with: Judge James P. Jones Sanctions U.S. District Court - Western District