UCP International Co. v. Balsam Brands Inc.

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO DISQUALIFY NEWLY-ADDED COUNSEL

William Alsup, United States District Judge

INTRODUCTION

After two years of litigation over two patents and the extent to which they cover artificial Christmas trees, the patent owners retained, as additional litigation counsel, the former law firm of the then-presiding judge, who was already immersed in the case. The judge then recused himself, as he had done four times in four separate cases in recent years after appearances by his former firm. Following his recusal, this action was reassigned and the accused in-fringer moved to…