Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. v. Coopers & Lybrand

OPINION

ZIEGLER, Chief Judge.

Pending before the court are the motions of defendants, Coopers & Lybrand, a nationwide accounting firm, and a certified class of partners and principles of the firm (hereinafter “Coopers”), for judgment notwithstanding the verdict of the jury on the issue of liability, and for a new trial. At the outset, we must address the argument of the prevailing plaintiffs, including the DeBartolo 1 and Grove Associates Plaintiffs 2 (collectively, the “DeBartolo Plaintiffs”), that we should defer consideration of the pending motions until the damages phase of the trial is…