Federal Judge to Holland & Knight: Sit Down and Shut Up
A judge in the Southern District of New York had some harsh words for Holland & Knight lawyers when they filed a response that the judge felt “abused the Court’s courtesy,” reports Above the Law.
Judge Paul Engelmayer last week heard argument on a motion to disqualify Holland & Knight in a dispute between its client, First NBC Bank, and a company called Murex. The judge asked the firm and its client to reflect on the issue and then write a letter informing the court of their final determination, but admonished them that “by extending this courtesy, it was not inviting additional substantive briefing on issues related to disqualification,” writes Joe Patrice.
The firm’s response had made it clear that he didn’t want additional substantive briefing. But that’s what Holland & Knight provided.
In response, the judge gave Murex permission to file a supplemental brief — with no limits on length or substance. He also disinvited HK and their client from filing a reply to Murex.
Read the Above the Law article.