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Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 1 of 18
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF IDAHO
`
`))
`
`))
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`
`BALIVI CHEMICAL CORPORATION,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`JMC VENTILATION REFRIGERATION,
`LLC, a Washington Limited Liability
`Company, JMC ENTERPRISES, INC., a
`Washington Corporation, and JOEL
`MICKA, an Individual,
`
`Case No. CV-07-353-S-BLW
`
`MEMORANDUM
`DECISION AND ORDER
`
`))
`
`)
`Defendants.
` ___________________________________)
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`The Court has before it a motion to consolidate and a motion to disqualify
`
`counsel, both filed by defendants. The Court heard oral argument on January 4,
`
`2008, and took the motions under advisement. For the reasons expressed below,
`
`the Court will deny the motion to consolidate and reserve ruling on the motion to
`
`disqualify.
`
`1. Motion To Consolidate
`
`Defendants (referred to collectively as JMC) seek to consolidate Balivi v.
`
`JMC, CV-07-353-S-BLW with 1,4Group v. JMC, CV-07-354-S-BLW.
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 1
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`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 2 of 18
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`Consolidation is proper under Rule 42 (a) when the two actions involve “a
`
`common question of law or fact.” The Court must “weigh[ ] the saving of time and
`
`effort consolidation would produce against any inconvenience, delay or expense
`
`that it would cause.” Single Chip Systems Corp. v. Intermec IP Corp., 495 F.Supp.
`
`2d 1052, 1057 (S.D.Cal. 2007) (quoting Huene v. United States, 743 F.2d 703, 704
`
`(9th Cir.1984)). When actions involving a common question of law or fact are
`
`pending before a court, it may order a joint hearing or trial of any or all the matters
`
`in issue in the actions; it may order all the actions consolidated; and it may make
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`such orders concerning proceedings therein as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs
`
`or delay. Single Chip, 495 F.Supp. 2d at 1057. The party seeking consolidation
`
`bears the burden of establishing that the judicial economy and convenience
`
`benefits of consolidation outweigh any prejudice. Id.
`
`The motion requires the Court to compare the two cases. In Balivi, the
`
`plaintiff alleges that JMC infringed the ‘525 patent. The patent describes a
`
`mechanical device used to reduce airflow in potato storage buildings. While these
`
`buildings usually need a robust ventilation system to keep stored potatoes cool, the
`
`turbulent air flow causes problems for applicators spraying the potatoes with
`
`sprout-inhibiting chemicals. To reach the potatoes, the sprayed chemicals need to
`
`remain as an aerosol suspended in air. However, the fast air flow created by the
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 2
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`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 3 of 18
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`ventilation system causes the aerosol chemicals to condense on the ventilation
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`machinery, wasting a significant amount of the chemicals and creating a coating
`
`that is difficult to remove. To reduce the air flow during spraying, the ‘525 patent
`
`describes the use of a variable frequency generator that can alter the power
`
`supplied to the fan motors, allowing them to be operated at a reduced speed during
`
`spraying and increased thereafter.
`
`The 1,4Group case alleges that JMC infringed the ‘660 and ‘888 patents.
`
`These patents describe a process for melting solid CIPC and transforming it into an
`
`aerosol to be sprayed on stored potatoes as a dormancy-enhancer. The key to the
`
`invention, as described in the patents, is that the process does not require that
`
`solvents be mixed with the CIPC to aid in its transformation from a solid block to
`
`an aerosol. Previously, solvents were added to the CIPC to assist in its melting and
`
`ensure that it remain in liquid form as it is turned into an aerosol. But solvents,
`
`when heated, can create toxic gases that render the potato storage buildings unsafe
`
`for some period of time after spraying. The invention described in these patents
`
`allows the use of a block of pure, solid CIPC that is easy and safe to transport, and
`
`that can be melted and transformed into an aerosol without creating any toxic
`
`gases.
`
`To summarize, the Balivi patent involves an electrical device used to reduce
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 3
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 4 of 18
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`the power frequency supplied to air fan motors, while the 1,4Group patents involve
`
`a method for heating solid CIPC and forming an aerosol. One case involves a
`
`device or apparatus patent; the other involves method or process patents.
`
`JMC’s counsel stated at oral argument that he was not advocating
`
`consolidation for trial purposes at this time, leaving open whether he would request
`
`it later. At this point, the cases appear to lack the sufficient commonalities
`
`necessary to warrant consolidation. While that could change, the Court is not
`
`inclined at this point to consolidate the cases for trial purposes.
`
`JMC’s counsel seeks to consolidate the cases for discovery. There could be
`
`an overlap in three main areas: (1) depositions; (2) document production; and (3)
`
`site investigations. This overlap, however, is not sufficient to warrant
`
`consolidation for discovery purposes. The Court is confident that counsel can
`
`stipulate to apply overlapping discovery to both cases without having to engage in
`
`expensive and unnecessary duplicative discovery.
`
`For all these reasons, the Court will deny the motion to consolidate.
`
`MOTION TO DISQUALIFY
`
`2.
`
`Factual Background
`
`JMC seeks to disqualify attorney Edgar Cataxinos and his law firm
`
`TraskBritt from representing the plaintiff. JMC asserts that Cataxinos represented
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 4
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 5 of 18
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`JMC, and has violated Idaho’s Rules of Professional Conduct by suing a client.
`
`Cataxinos denies this charge.
`
`The TraskBritt firm has represented Balivi, 1,4Group, and related entities
`
`since 1989 in multiple patent, trademark, and intellectual property matters. See
`
`Cataxinos Declaration at ¶ 21. The firm has billed these entities over $8 million in
`
`fees since that time. Id.
`
`In February of 1999, Cataxinos agreed to represent JMC Enterprises.
`
`According to a Legal Representation Agreement, he was “to represent [JMC
`
`Enterprises] in certain legal matters including: Trademark Matters (and such
`
`additional matters as [JMC Enterprises] may subsequently designate orally or in
`
`writing).” See Legal Representation Agreement attached as Exhibit 1 to Micka
`
`Affidavit.
`
`JMC Enterprises was a Washington corporation. As Cataxinos was
`
`preparing the trademark application, he was informed by JMC’s President, Joel
`
`Micka, that “the trademark would be owned and used by JMC Ventilation as
`
`opposed to JMC Enterprises.” See Cataxinos Declaration at ¶ 17. JMC
`
`Ventilation was a Limited Liability Corporation created by Micka. He and his wife
`
`were the sole members.
`
`On June 24, 1999, Cataxinos filed a trademark application with the Patent
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 5
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 6 of 18
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`and Trademark Office (PTO) on behalf of JMC Ventilation LLC. The PTO issued
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`the trademark on July 10, 2001.
`
`To renew the trademark, JMC would need to file papers by certain
`
`prescribed deadlines. Micka alleges that to ensure compliance with these deadlines,
`
`he “asked [Trask Bitt] to be responsible for monitoring our registration.” See
`
`Micka Declaration at p. 5, ¶ 13. Cataxinos denies this: “I did not have any
`
`conversation with him [Micka] after the issuance of the . . . trademark in 2001.”
`
`See Cataxinos Declaration at ¶ 19.
`
`Cataxinos did, however, create a reminder list of the important renewal
`
`deadlines through the year 2012. See Exhibit 6 attached to Micka Declaration.
`
`When the trademark rules changed in 2002, Cataxinos sent a letter to JMC’s
`
`President, Joel Micka (dated July 16, 2002) advising him of the changes, and billed
`
`JMC $26.50 for the letter.
`
`Consistent with his reminder list of renewal deadlines, Cataxinos sent a
`
`letter to Micka on July 12, 2006, reminding him of the renewal deadline of July 10,
`
`2007. He also billed JMC about $100 for this reminder.
`
`On September 11, 2006, about two months after Micka received this
`
`reminder letter, he received a letter from attorney Bill Mauk, stating that “our firm,
`
`together with the . . . law firm of TraskBritt, represents the legal interests of the
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 6
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 7 of 18
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`inventors and owners of the above patents,” including the ‘525 patent at issue in
`
`Balivi v JMC and the “660 and ‘888 patents at issue in 1,4Group v JMC. Mauk
`
`describes each patent in order to “put your company on notice” because “your
`
`actions may infringe upon our clients’ patent rights under one or more of these
`
`patents.”
`
`Mauk admits in the letter that his concerns may be based on incomplete
`
`information: “Although we may not yet fully appreciate in every instance how
`
`JMC Enterprises uses and applies solid CIPC brick products and other sprout
`
`inhibitors, the information our clients have compels raising these concerns.” He
`
`invites JMC to share “any information contrary to what is represented by this
`
`letter” to “avoid an unnecessary legal dispute.” He also offers to discuss licensing,
`
`and finishes by demanding that JMC “please take whatever steps are necessary and
`
`appropriate to curtail any activities that directly or indirectly infringe” the three
`
`patents.
`
`Micka “thought the letter was, at best, a betrayal of our ongoing
`
`relationship.” See Micka Declaration at p. 6, ¶ 17. Nonetheless, Micka “spoke
`
`with Mr. Cataxinos later in fall 2006 in response to his July 12, 2006, letter
`
`regarding the affidavit due in July 2007.” Id. at ¶ 18. Micka describes that
`
`conversation as “awkward to say the least.” Id. Micka states that Cataxinos
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 7
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 8 of 18
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`“provided me with additional legal advice regarding the affidavit that was due to
`
`the [PTO] in July 2007 regarding our . . . trademark registration.” Id. Micka “also
`
`discussed with Mr. Cataxinos certain issues related to copyright protection . . .
`
`[and] he briefly advised me regarding the legal requirements for such protection
`
`and we discussed future copyright work on behalf of JMC Ventilation.” Id. at
`
`¶ 19. Cataxinos responds that after examining all his files, he can find “no
`
`evidence of such discussions,” and he specifically denies discussing “any copyright
`
`matters with Mr. Micka at any time.” See Cataxinos Declaration at ¶ 19.
`
`On June 4, 2007, about nine months after the demand letter, Cataxinos sent a
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`letter to Micka, in his capacity as a member of JMC Ventilation LLC., stating that
`
`“TraskBritt will take no further action on your behalf. We are enclosing our files.”
`
`See Exhibit 8 to Micka Declaration. Cataxinos enclosed with the letter two files
`
`regarding JMC, including a Withdrawal of Counsel form that was submitted to the
`
`PTO. See Cataxinos Declaration at ¶ 23. In that Withdrawal, Cataxinos
`
`represented to the PTO that JMC Ventilation was “no longer represented by this
`
`firm [TraskBritt].” See Exhibit 9 to Micka Declaration. Cataxinos submitted the
`
`Withdrawal motion on June 4, 2007, and it was granted the same day. Id.
`
`Two months later, on August 21, 2007, Mauk and Cataxinos sued (1) JMC
`
`Enterprises Inc., (2) JMC Ventilation LLC., and (3) Micka for infringing the ‘525
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 8
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 9 of 18
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`patent, see Balivi v. JMC, Civ. No. 07-353-S-BLW, and for infringing the ‘660 and
`
`‘880 patents, see 1,4Group v. JMC, Civ. No. 07-354-S-BLW.
`
`ANALYSIS
`
`All attorneys practicing before this Court “must familiarize themselves with
`
`and comply with the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct of the Idaho State Bar
`
`and decisions of any court interpreting such rules.” See Local Rule 83.5. Pursuant
`
`to the Idaho courts’ interpretation of those Rules, JMC bears the burden of proving
`
`that TraskBritt should be disqualified. See Weaver v. Millard, 819 P.2d 110
`
`(Id.App.Ct. 1991).
`
`The Idaho Rules, pertaining to this case, prohibit an attorney from (1)
`
`representing a client “if the representation involves a concurrent conflict of
`
`interest,” see Rule 1.7(a); (2) representing a client against a former client in the
`
`“same or a substantially related matter,” see Rule 1.9(a); and (3) using information
`
`related to the former client to the disadvantage of the former client, with some
`
`exceptions, see Rule 1.9(c).
`
`The application of these Rules to the facts raise four questions that can be
`
`analyzed in a “decision tree” format. First, when did Cataxinos cease representing
`
`JMC? If it was in 2001 when he obtained the trademark for JMC, he was clearly
`
`not concurrently representing JMC and 1,4Group when those two companies
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 9
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 10 of 18
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`became adversaries much later, and hence Rule 1.7(a) was not violated. Neither
`
`was Rule 1.9 violated because the trademark matter and the present lawsuits are
`
`not substantially related.
`
`However, if Cataxinos did not cease representing JMC until June 4, 2007 –
`
`when he formally withdrew – there is an issue whether JMC and 1,4Group were in
`
`conflict prior to that time, tarring Cataxinos with a concurrent conflict, and a
`
`potential violation of Rule 1.7(a). JMC argues that almost 9 months before
`
`Cataxinos withdrew, he and co-counsel Mauk sent the letter of September 11,
`
`2006, to Micka, pitting 1,4Group against JMC at a time when Cataxinos
`
`represented both.
`
`This argument raises the second major issue: When did JMC and 1,4Group
`
`become adversaries? If the two companies were in conflict at a time when
`
`Cataxinos represented both, there is a violation of Rule 1.7(a) and the third major
`
`issue arises: Does the Court have any discretion to fashion a remedy other than
`
`disqualification for a violation of Rule 1.7(a)?
`
`If the two companies were not in conflict until after Cataxinos stopped
`
`representing JMC, the Court reaches the fourth major issue: Is Cataxinos using
`
`information he obtained from Micka to the disadvantage of JMC in violation of
`
`Rule 1.9(c)?
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 10
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 11 of 18
`
`The Court will discuss each of the four major issues below.
`
`1. When Did Cataxinos Cease Representing JMC?
`
`Cataxinos answers this question by asserting that his representation ended
`
`when the trademark was issued in 2001. He asserts that he was hired for that
`
`purpose, and that when he obtained the trademark, his duties – and hence his
`
`representation of JMC – was over. Micka responds that Cataxinos agreed to a
`
`continuing representation to track the trademark deadlines and advise him on
`
`renewal issues. Micka believed that Cataxinos was representing JMC at least until
`
`June 4, 2007.
`
`The Idaho courts have not adopted a single test for determining whether an
`
`attorney-client relationship exists. They have instead evaluated claims under the
`
`two predominant tests adopted in other jurisdictions: (1) The controlling factor in
`
`the first test is the client's subjective belief, which must be reasonable under the
`
`circumstances; and (2) The controlling factor in the second test requires a contract
`
`analysis, finding that no attorney-client relationship exists absent clear assent by
`
`both the putative client and attorney. Warner v. Stewart, 930 P.2d 1030, 1035 (Id.
`
`1997).
`
`Under either test, an evidentiary hearing is needed. Micka argues that he
`
`had continuing contact with Cataxinos until late 2006, receiving both legal advice
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 11
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 12 of 18
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`and fee billings, which he paid. These contacts led Micka to believe that Cataxinos
`
`was still representing him when he received the Mauk letter in September of 2006.
`
`Micka felt the Mauk letter was a “betrayal” because it placed JMC in direct
`
`conflict with 1,4Group, at a time when Cataxinos represented both.
`
`Cataxinos denies giving legal advice to Micka after 2001, and characterizes
`
`the billings as involving trivial sums for insignificant matters. According to
`
`Cataxinos, his representation of JMC was for a single, discrete matter – obtaining a
`
`trademark – and there was no continuing relationship.
`
`The Legal Representation Agreement seems to contemplate a continuing
`
`relationship by stating that Cataxinos would represent JMC on “Trademark Matters
`
`(and such additional matters as [JMC Enterprises] may subsequently designate
`
`orally or in writing).” (Emphasis added). It is unclear, however, whether JMC or
`
`Micka ever designated any further matters for Cataxinos orally or in writing. In
`
`addition, the Court’s copy of this Agreement is unsigned, and so there is a question
`
`whether the parties intended to be bound by it in any event. These factual disputes
`
`will need to be sorted out in an evidentiary hearing.
`
`JMC also argues that even as of June 4, 2007, Cataxinos failed to withdraw
`
`from representing JMC Enterprises, and only withdrew from representing JMC
`
`Ventilation. The Court disagrees. By returning both files, Cataxinos was clearly
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 12
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 13 of 18
`
`withdrawing from representing both entities. No reasonable person could believe
`
`otherwise. That issue will not be pursued at the evidentiary hearing.
`
`2. When Did JMC and 1,4Group Become Adversaries?
`
`This issue becomes relevant if Cataxinos did not end his representation of
`
`JMC in 2001. The Court will need to determine when JMC and 1,4Group became
`
`adversaries to determine if Cataxinos was representing both at a time when he had
`
`a concurrent conflict of interest.
`
`Under the Idaho Rules, a concurrent conflict of interest exists if “the
`
`representation of one client will be directly adverse to another client.” The Rule’s
`
`comment section explains that an attorney has a duty not to “act as an advocate in
`
`one matter against a person the lawyer represents in some other matter.” See
`
`comment 6 to Rule 1.7 (emphasis added).
`
`Thus, JMC must show that Cataxinos represented JMC at the same time that
`
`he was (1) acting as an advocate, (2) for a client (1,4Group) directly adverse to
`
`JMC. JMC argues that it was in direct conflict with 1,4Group when Mauk sent his
`
`letter on September 11, 2006. But the letter raises more questions than it answers.
`
`Mauk’s letter warns JMC that it might be infringing, but it also invites
`
`further discussion and negotiation. It lacks the intimidating tone many demand
`
`letters take when litigation is deemed inevitable, i.e., when the parties are directly
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 13
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 14 of 18
`
`in conflict. The Court cannot find – as a matter of law – on this record that the
`
`Mauk letter so clearly pits the parties against one another that they could be
`
`deemed to be in conflict as of September 11, 2006.
`
`Obviously, the parties were on conflict on August 21, 2007, when this suit
`
`was filed. An adversary relationship may have begun even sooner given the course
`
`of discussions between the parties. But from this record, the Court cannot identify
`
`the precise time when the companies became direct adversaries. Thus, the Court
`
`cannot find as a matter of law – without an evidentiary hearing – that Cataxinos
`
`violated Rule 1.7(a) by waiting until June 4, 2007, to withdraw.
`
` It is also unclear what role Cataxinos played in representing 1,4Group at
`
`the time of the Mauk letter. It is not enough that Cataxinos was simply
`
`representing 1,4Group on September 11, 2006, if he knew nothing about Mauk’s
`
`letter. Cataxinos must be acting as an advocate pursuing a course against the
`
`interests of JMC. The Court cannot tell if that was the case prior to June 4, 2007.
`
`What role did Cataxinos – or any TraskBritt attorney – play in drafting the Mauk
`
`letter? Was TraskBritt pursuing JMC as an adversary before June 4, 2007? These
`
`and other questions remain to be answered. The evidentiary hearing will address
`
`these issues.
`
`3.
`
`Is Disqualification the Only Remedy for a Rule 1.7(a) Violation?
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 14
`
`

`
`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 15 of 18
`
`If Cataxinos was acting as an advocate for 1,4Group against JMC, he is
`
`subject to disqualification under Rule 1.7 even though the trademark matter for
`
`which he represented JMC is unrelated to the present litigation. See Rule 1.7,
`
`comment 6 (concurrent representation is grounds for disqualification “even when
`
`the matters are wholly unrelated”).
`
`Cataxinos argues, however, that disqualification is discretionary with the
`
`Court. Idaho courts have held that judges generally have discretion to fashion a
`
`remedy after finding that an attorney has a conflict of interest under Rule 1.7. See
`
`Crown v. Hawkins Co., Ltd., 910 P.2d 786 (Id.Ct.App. 1996). In Crown, the court
`
`found a violation of what is now Rule 1.7(a)(2) – prohibiting concurrent conflicts
`
`caused by “the personal interests of the lawyer.” The court rejected the argument
`
`that the conflicted counsel should be “automatically disqualified,” and held that
`
`whether disqualification was warranted was an issue “calling for the exercise of the
`
`court’s discretion.” Id. at 795. The court affirmed the district court’s refusal to
`
`disqualify the attorney, pointing out the prejudice to the client of losing counsel
`
`just three weeks before trial, and the fact that the opposing party did not seek
`
`disqualification promptly. Id.
`
`While Crown involved a violation of Rule 1.7(a)(2) rather than (a)(1), there
`
`is no principled distinction between them for remedy purposes; they prohibit
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 15
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 16 of 18
`
`equally pernicious conflicts with current clients. Thus, Crown would apply with
`
`equal strength here, giving this Court discretion to fashion a remedy “which will
`
`assure fairness to the parties and the integrity of the judicial process . . . [and]
`
`[w]henever possible, . . . reach a solution that is least burdensome to the client.”
`
`See Weaver v. Millard, 819 P.2d 110, 115 (Id.App.Ct. 1991) (also involving a
`
`attorney’s conflict of interest). The Court therefore holds that disqualification is
`
`not automatic upon a finding of a violation of Rule 1.7(a)(1).
`
`4.
`
`Did Cataxinos Violate Rule 1.9(c)?
`
`JMC argues that Cataxinos obtained confidential information from Micka
`
`that he could use against JMC in this litigation. Cataxinos denies this charge and
`
`asserts that he received nothing that was not already public information. This
`
`dispute cannot be resolved as a matter of law and hence must await the evidentiary
`
`hearing.
`
`5.
`
`Other Issues
`
`Cataxinos argues that he and his firm are immune from Rule 1.7's
`
`proscriptions because they withdrew before the lawsuits were filed against JMC.
`
`But the filing date is not an “iron curtain” behind which no inquiry may go. Rule
`
`1.7 extends back to the time the clients were directly adverse to one another, which
`
`could occur before a complaint is filed. See generally Stratagem Development
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 16
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 17 of 18
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`Corp. v. Heron International, 756 F.Supp. 789, 793 (S.D.N.Y. 1991) (applying
`
`rule similar to Rule 1.7(a) to disqualify law firm that represented one client while
`
`“actively planning” litigation against another client).
`
`The parties briefed and argued issues concerning whether Micka was
`
`represented by William Britt of the TraskBritt firm at a deposition, and whether
`
`Micka’s Power of Attorney established representation by TraskBritt. While those
`
`issues remain to be resolved, the Court finds JMC’s arguments unpersuasive, at
`
`least on the present record. The real issues in the case are defined by the four
`
`questions discussed above.
`
`6.
`
`Conclusion
`
`For all of these reasons, the Court will reserve ruling on the motion to
`
`disqualify and set up an evidentiary hearing. The Court will deny the motion to
`
`consolidate.
`
`ORDER
`
`In accordance with the terms of the Memorandum Decision set forth above,
`
`NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that the motion to
`
`consolidate (Docket No. 29) is DENIED.
`
`IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that an evidentiary hearing be held on the
`
`motion to disqualify (Docket No. 28) on January 24, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. in the
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 17
`
`

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`Case 1:07-cv-00353-DVB Document 47 Filed 01/10/08 Page 18 of 18
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`James A. McClure Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.
`
` DATED: January 10, 2008
`
`
` Honorable B. Lynn Winmill
` Chief U. S. District Judge
`
`Memorandum Decision and Order – Page 18

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