This document is a reply brief filed by defendants in a class action securities litigation case. It summarizes and responds to arguments made in the lead plaintiffs' opposition to the defendants' motion to dismiss. The defendants argue that the court can consider SEC filings, press releases, and transcripts referenced in their motion. They also contend that the lead plaintiffs have misstated facts and failed to provide the full context of disclosures made during the class period. The defendants assert that statements were not misleading and that the plaintiffs have not sufficiently pleaded scienter. Overall, the brief aims to persuade the court to dismiss the complaint with prejudice based on deficiencies in the plaintiffs' arguments and pleading.
SKGF_Advisory_Living in a Post KSR World_2007SterneKessler
This document provides an overview of how the Supreme Court's 2007 decision in KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc. has impacted obviousness determinations at the Federal Circuit, district courts, and USPTO. Since KSR, the Federal Circuit has found inventions obvious in 6 out of 9 precedential decisions. While some language in opinions remains similar to pre-KSR cases, the standard for determining obviousness is less rigid, with motivation or reason to combine references no longer required to be explicit. District courts are more readily granting summary judgment of obviousness. The USPTO has also been impacted but specifics are still emerging.
SKGF_Advisory_Real World Impacts of Reexamination Practice and Procedure_2008SterneKessler
This document discusses issues related to patent reexamination procedures and their impact on patent owners. It provides background on ex parte and inter partes reexamination procedures. It then discusses concerns about the low standard for instituting reexaminations, the impact of reexaminations on capital markets, and identifying the real party in interest in inter partes reexaminations. It proposes solutions such as increasing the standard for reexaminations involving previously litigated patents or previous reexams and keeping reexamination proceedings confidential until a final office action.
05.31.12 separate statement re mtc rfd (set two) [conformed]jamesmaredmond
This document discusses requests for production of documents related to trusts established as part of the plaintiff's estate planning. The plaintiff objects to the requests on the grounds that the documents are not relevant to collecting the judgment against the plaintiff, as the plaintiff does not control or financially benefit from the trusts. The defendant argues that the trust documents are relevant to show that the trusts and trustees are alter egos of the plaintiff and subject to the judgment. The court is asked to compel production of the documents over the plaintiff's objections.
Defendants’ motion to strike plaintiffs response to defendants’ reply brief i...Cocoselul Inaripat
Defendants filed a motion to strike the plaintiff's response brief to the defendants' reply brief in support of their motion for summary judgment for the following reasons:
1) The local court rules do not permit a response brief to a reply brief without court approval, which was not obtained.
2) Even if permitted, the plaintiff's response brief exceeds the page limitation for response briefs in the local court rules.
3) The defendants argue the plaintiff's response brief should be stricken from the record.
Defendants filed a motion to strike the plaintiff's response brief to their reply brief in support of their motion for summary judgment for the following reasons:
1) The local court rules do not permit a response to a reply brief without court approval, which was not obtained.
2) Even if permitted, the plaintiff's response brief exceeds the page limit for response briefs in the local court rules.
3) The defendants argue the plaintiff's response brief should be stricken from the record.
Defendants dismas charties, inc., ana gispert, derek thomas and adams leshota...Cocoselul Inaripat
This document is a response by the defendants to the plaintiff's motion to supplement his motion to compel discovery responses. The defendants argue that they have properly responded to all of the plaintiff's discovery requests. They assert that the purpose of the motion to compel is to compel responses when the other side has not responded, which is not the case here. The defendants believe the plaintiff is trying to force them to change their discovery answers to ones more favorable to the plaintiff through this motion. They request that the court deny the plaintiff's motion.
This document is a response by the defendants to the plaintiff's motion to supplement his motion to compel discovery responses. The defendants argue that their discovery responses have been timely and proper. They assert that the plaintiff's motion is an attempt to argue the merits of the case rather than the sufficiency of the discovery responses. The defendants request that the plaintiff's motion be denied and sanctions be awarded against the plaintiff.
Brown Opposition To Plaintiff Motion To Amend ComplaintJRachelle
This document is a memorandum filed by Susan M. Brown and the Law Offices of Susan M. Brown in opposition to Howard K. Stern's motion to amend his complaint to join them as additional defendants. The memorandum argues that the motion to amend should be denied on the grounds of prejudice and futility. It asserts that Brown would be prejudiced by the late addition as a defendant since discovery is largely complete. It also argues that the attempts to apply California law are futile since South Carolina law applies, and that the complaint fails to properly plead causes of action under South Carolina law against Brown.
SKGF_Advisory_Living in a Post KSR World_2007SterneKessler
This document provides an overview of how the Supreme Court's 2007 decision in KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc. has impacted obviousness determinations at the Federal Circuit, district courts, and USPTO. Since KSR, the Federal Circuit has found inventions obvious in 6 out of 9 precedential decisions. While some language in opinions remains similar to pre-KSR cases, the standard for determining obviousness is less rigid, with motivation or reason to combine references no longer required to be explicit. District courts are more readily granting summary judgment of obviousness. The USPTO has also been impacted but specifics are still emerging.
SKGF_Advisory_Real World Impacts of Reexamination Practice and Procedure_2008SterneKessler
This document discusses issues related to patent reexamination procedures and their impact on patent owners. It provides background on ex parte and inter partes reexamination procedures. It then discusses concerns about the low standard for instituting reexaminations, the impact of reexaminations on capital markets, and identifying the real party in interest in inter partes reexaminations. It proposes solutions such as increasing the standard for reexaminations involving previously litigated patents or previous reexams and keeping reexamination proceedings confidential until a final office action.
05.31.12 separate statement re mtc rfd (set two) [conformed]jamesmaredmond
This document discusses requests for production of documents related to trusts established as part of the plaintiff's estate planning. The plaintiff objects to the requests on the grounds that the documents are not relevant to collecting the judgment against the plaintiff, as the plaintiff does not control or financially benefit from the trusts. The defendant argues that the trust documents are relevant to show that the trusts and trustees are alter egos of the plaintiff and subject to the judgment. The court is asked to compel production of the documents over the plaintiff's objections.
Defendants’ motion to strike plaintiffs response to defendants’ reply brief i...Cocoselul Inaripat
Defendants filed a motion to strike the plaintiff's response brief to the defendants' reply brief in support of their motion for summary judgment for the following reasons:
1) The local court rules do not permit a response brief to a reply brief without court approval, which was not obtained.
2) Even if permitted, the plaintiff's response brief exceeds the page limitation for response briefs in the local court rules.
3) The defendants argue the plaintiff's response brief should be stricken from the record.
Defendants filed a motion to strike the plaintiff's response brief to their reply brief in support of their motion for summary judgment for the following reasons:
1) The local court rules do not permit a response to a reply brief without court approval, which was not obtained.
2) Even if permitted, the plaintiff's response brief exceeds the page limit for response briefs in the local court rules.
3) The defendants argue the plaintiff's response brief should be stricken from the record.
Defendants dismas charties, inc., ana gispert, derek thomas and adams leshota...Cocoselul Inaripat
This document is a response by the defendants to the plaintiff's motion to supplement his motion to compel discovery responses. The defendants argue that they have properly responded to all of the plaintiff's discovery requests. They assert that the purpose of the motion to compel is to compel responses when the other side has not responded, which is not the case here. The defendants believe the plaintiff is trying to force them to change their discovery answers to ones more favorable to the plaintiff through this motion. They request that the court deny the plaintiff's motion.
This document is a response by the defendants to the plaintiff's motion to supplement his motion to compel discovery responses. The defendants argue that their discovery responses have been timely and proper. They assert that the plaintiff's motion is an attempt to argue the merits of the case rather than the sufficiency of the discovery responses. The defendants request that the plaintiff's motion be denied and sanctions be awarded against the plaintiff.
Brown Opposition To Plaintiff Motion To Amend ComplaintJRachelle
This document is a memorandum filed by Susan M. Brown and the Law Offices of Susan M. Brown in opposition to Howard K. Stern's motion to amend his complaint to join them as additional defendants. The memorandum argues that the motion to amend should be denied on the grounds of prejudice and futility. It asserts that Brown would be prejudiced by the late addition as a defendant since discovery is largely complete. It also argues that the attempts to apply California law are futile since South Carolina law applies, and that the complaint fails to properly plead causes of action under South Carolina law against Brown.
This document is a joint motion by the SEC and Receiver requesting that the court enter a Second Amended Order Appointing Receiver. It provides background on the original and amended receivership orders. It notes that additional §754 filings are needed in other districts where receivership assets and records exist. It also clarifies that the receiver's authority to file bankruptcy applies only to corporate defendants, not individuals. Finally, it discusses ongoing related litigation demanding estate resources.
The district court erred in convicting Samantha Clark under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 for statements made during plea negotiations with the U.S. Attorney's office while representing a criminal defendant. Subsection (b) of § 1001 creates an exception for statements made by a party or their counsel during a judicial proceeding. The district court relied on inapplicable case law that did not address this exception. As Clark's statements were made in her role as defense counsel during a judicial proceeding, she was exempt from prosecution under the plain language of subsection (b).
This document is an appellant's opening brief for a case in the California Court of Appeal regarding a trust. Robert Quick (the appellant) alleges that Andrea Pearson (the respondent), as trustee, breached the trust by concealing its existence from him and failing to provide him distributions as a beneficiary. The brief argues that Quick sufficiently alleged facts to state a cause of action and overcome defenses of statute of limitations and laches. It maintains the trial court erred in sustaining Pearson's demurrer without leave to amend.
Defendants dismas charties, inc., ana gispert, derek thomas and adams leshota...Cocoselul Inaripat
This document is a response brief filed by the defendants (Dismas Charities, Inc., Ana Gispert, Derek Thomas, and Adams Leshota) in response to the plaintiff's (Traian Bujduveanu) motion to strike the defendants' response brief to the plaintiff's motion to compel discovery responses. The defendants argue that the plaintiff's motion to strike should be denied because the defendants properly responded to all discovery requests. The defendants also argue that the plaintiff provides no valid legal basis to strike the defendants' response brief and is simply attempting to argue the merits of the case rather than the discovery issues. The defendants request that the plaintiff's motion be denied and sanctions be granted against the plaintiff.
This document is a response brief filed by the defendants (Dismas Charities, Inc., Ana Gispert, Derek Thomas, and Adams Leshota) in response to the plaintiff's (Traian Bujduveanu) motion to strike the defendants' response brief to the plaintiff's motion to compel discovery responses. The defendants argue that the plaintiff's motion to strike should be denied because the defendants properly responded to all discovery requests. The defendants also argue that the plaintiff provides no valid legal basis to strike the defendants' response brief and is simply attempting to argue the merits of the case rather than the discovery issues. The defendants request that the plaintiff's motion be denied and sanctions be granted against the plaintiff.
This document is a response opposing an application for an extension of time to file a brief. It summarizes that the appellants, who are appealing an order adding them as judgment debtors, have already received 60 days of extensions for filing their brief, totaling 120 days. The response argues the appeal does not require unusually complex factual or legal analysis. It asserts the appellants' claims that the appeal involves issues of probate, taxation, and irrevocable trusts are not properly within the scope of the appeal. The response requests the court deny any further extensions.
MDFL - Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Trade Secret & Fraud ClaimsPollard PLLC
In this order, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, denies the defendants' motions to dismiss claims for breach of contract, theft of trade secrets in violation of the Defend Trade Secrets Act, 18 USC 1836 et. seq., fraud and aiding and abetting fraud.
In relevant part, the Court rejects the defendants' efforts to impose a summary judgment like burden at the pleading stage. Notable holdings include: (1) The question of whether information constitutes a trade secret is a question of fact normally resolved by a jury after full presentation of evidence. (2) A claim for misappropriation may exist not only where the defendant itself is alleged to have stolen trade secrets, but where the defendant is alleged to have obtained the trade secrets while knowing that they were acquired by improper means. (3) The allegation that a defendant induced a plaintiff to enter an NDA with no intention of honoring it states a claim for fraud in the inducement that is not barred by the independent tort doctrine.
The plaintiff is represented by Fort Lauderdale, Florida based Pollard PLLC. The firm has extensive experience litigating complex non-compete, trade secret, trademark and unfair competition claims. Their office can be reached at 954-332-2380.
This document appears to be an appendix listing former Stanford employees and the proceeds they received from Stanford International Bank CDs, quarterly bonuses, severance payments, and other compensation. It includes the employees' names and identification numbers, amounts of loans taken from Stanford, and totals of commissions, bonuses, and other payments received from Stanford entities. The data appears to be from an investigation into the finances of these former Stanford employees.
This document is a summary of the Supreme Court's opinion in the case of BNSF Railway Co. v. Tyrrell. The Court held that:
1) Section 56 of the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) addresses venue, not personal jurisdiction over railroads. It specifies where FELA claims can be brought in federal court, but does not govern personal jurisdiction.
2) Montana state courts could not exercise general personal jurisdiction over BNSF Railway under Montana law. While BNSF operates in Montana, it is not incorporated or headquartered there, and its activities in the state are not so substantial as to render it "at home" there.
3) For
Appeal from the united states district court for the eastern district of wisc...Loki Stormbringer
This is a case about how a court may dispose of a copyright infringement action based on the fair use affirmative defense while avoiding the burdens of discovery and trial. This case also poses the interesting question of whether the incorporation-byreference doctrine applies to audio-visual works.
"We noted during oral argument that such a broad discovery request, surely entailing expensive e-discovery of emails or other internal communications, gives Brownmark the appearance of a “copyright troll.” We are confident that the district court would have refused to grant such expansive demands."
The document discusses a case where a truck driver sued a brewery after being injured by a falling light fixture while making a delivery. The brewery moved for summary judgment, but the court found there were genuine issues of material fact regarding whether the driver was actually injured at the brewery and whether the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur applied, so it denied the brewery's motion for summary judgment. The document also discusses whether the trial court properly admitted expert testimony from the plaintiff's vocational economic expert regarding lost earning capacity. It finds that the expert was properly qualified and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in its evidentiary rulings regarding the expert testimony.
This document provides a guide for perfecting an appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. It outlines initial considerations such as obtaining the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and Ninth Circuit Rules. It also summarizes the briefing, excerpts of record, and oral argument processes. Key deadlines and requirements are highlighted for each stage of an appeal. Contact information for the Ninth Circuit is also provided.
Appellant's Reply Brief in Georgia Court of AppealsJanet McDonald
Reply Brief filed into Georgia Court of Appeals. The Court had treated the Plaintiff/Appellant very unfairly, most likely because he was proceeding in propria persona. Legal argument, very informative.
The Estate of Elizabeth Haynes Urquhart vs. American Regional_ Earl R. Davis ...Earl R. Davis
This turnover action is untimely because Elizabeth Urquhart died in 2005. The statute of
limitations in a discovery or turnover proceeding is governed by the CPLR. See SCPA § 102 (“The
CPLR and other laws applicable to practice and procedure apply in the surrogate’s court except
where other procedure is provided by this act.”). A proceeding “commenced pursuant to SCPA §
2103 has been likened to a replevin action, which has a statute of limitations of three years.” If you are interested to know about the case, get in touch with Earl R. Davis.
GS Holistic Court Opinion in Trademark DisputeMike Keyes
This document is a court filing that recommends granting in part a motion for default judgment against two defendants, Haz Investments LLC and Hazim Assaf, in a trademark infringement lawsuit. The plaintiff, GS Holistic LLC, alleges the defendants sold counterfeit products bearing GS's trademarks without authorization. As the defendants failed to respond to the complaint, the clerk entered default against them. The court filing analyzes the applicable legal standards and finds default judgment is warranted procedurally and substantively for some of the plaintiff's claims. It recommends awarding $15,000 in statutory damages, $782 in costs, and injunctive relief to the plaintiff.
Doc962 freeman group motion compromise & settlement_ a walk-awaymalp2009
The Trustee filed a motion seeking court approval of a compromise and settlement agreement between the Trustee and the Freeman Parties. The agreement provides that Robert Freeman and David Ward will withdraw their respective $92,500 proof of claims against the estate with prejudice, and the Trustee will dismiss the Freeman Parties from an adversary proceeding. The agreement achieves a walk-away settlement and full mutual release of claims between the parties. The Trustee believes the settlement is in the best interest of creditors and the estate by avoiding substantial time and costs of litigation, despite believing there are good objections to the proof of claims.
Jefferies claims WFG Investments did not have permissionSusan Harriman
This document is Jefferies LLC's brief in support of its motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent Defendants from pursuing arbitration against it. Jefferies argues that it is not bound to arbitrate because it does not have a written agreement to arbitrate with Defendants, and Defendants were not Jefferies' customers. Jefferies contends it will suffer irreparable harm if forced to arbitrate, the balance of equities is in its favor, and an injunction is in the public interest. Therefore, Jefferies believes the court should grant its motion and enjoin Defendants from pursuing arbitration against it.
This order grants the defendants' motion to dismiss the plaintiff's complaint. The court found that the plaintiff did not adequately define the elements of its claimed trade dresses for essential oils and hair care products. Specifically, the plaintiff's use of the word "including" when listing elements suggested the dresses were not limited to what was listed. As the exact scope of the claimed dresses was uncertain, the plaintiff failed to give the defendants fair notice of the nature and basis of the trade dress claims against them. The court dismissed the plaintiff's three causes of action for trademark infringement, common law trademark infringement, and unfair business practices.
order Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief Order on Motion to Amend/Correct Fri 12:58 PM
ORDER granting in part and denying in part 60 Motion for Leave to Add Joinder of Additional Plaintiffs and for Leave to Add Facts to the Complaint; granting 62 Motion to Amend 60 Motion. Signed by Judge Jackson L. Kiser on 4/8/16.
Doc1037 robert oneil paul ballard_todd hickman_seeking approval_settlement & ...malp2009
This document is a Trustee's Motion to Approve Compromise and Settlement with Defendants Robert O'Neal, Paul Ballard and Todd Hickman in an Adversary proceeding. The Trustee is seeking the court's approval of a settlement agreement between the Trustee and the Defendants that would allow portions of the Defendants' claims against the Debtor's estate and resolve all claims between the parties. Key terms of the settlement include allowing 75% of O'Neal's claim, 60% of Ballard's claim, and 60% of Hickman's claim. The Trustee believes the settlement is in the best interest of the estate to avoid costly and uncertain litigation.
This document is a motion filed in a US bankruptcy court requesting permission to file an unredacted version of a response under seal. It summarizes that the response contains sensitive commercial information about the debtors' financial condition and restructuring negotiations. The debtors argue the information could harm ongoing negotiations and business operations if disclosed publicly. They seek to file the unredacted version under seal and make it available only to specific parties.
This document is an order from a United States District Court regarding cross-motions for summary judgment in a case involving a plaintiff who was imprisoned at a halfway house operated by the defendant. The court provides background on the case, including that the plaintiff sued over alleged unlawful seizure of his property and constitutional violations. The court evaluates the motions using the standard for summary judgment, granting the defendant's motion and denying the plaintiff's motion.
This document is a joint motion by the SEC and Receiver requesting that the court enter a Second Amended Order Appointing Receiver. It provides background on the original and amended receivership orders. It notes that additional §754 filings are needed in other districts where receivership assets and records exist. It also clarifies that the receiver's authority to file bankruptcy applies only to corporate defendants, not individuals. Finally, it discusses ongoing related litigation demanding estate resources.
The district court erred in convicting Samantha Clark under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 for statements made during plea negotiations with the U.S. Attorney's office while representing a criminal defendant. Subsection (b) of § 1001 creates an exception for statements made by a party or their counsel during a judicial proceeding. The district court relied on inapplicable case law that did not address this exception. As Clark's statements were made in her role as defense counsel during a judicial proceeding, she was exempt from prosecution under the plain language of subsection (b).
This document is an appellant's opening brief for a case in the California Court of Appeal regarding a trust. Robert Quick (the appellant) alleges that Andrea Pearson (the respondent), as trustee, breached the trust by concealing its existence from him and failing to provide him distributions as a beneficiary. The brief argues that Quick sufficiently alleged facts to state a cause of action and overcome defenses of statute of limitations and laches. It maintains the trial court erred in sustaining Pearson's demurrer without leave to amend.
Defendants dismas charties, inc., ana gispert, derek thomas and adams leshota...Cocoselul Inaripat
This document is a response brief filed by the defendants (Dismas Charities, Inc., Ana Gispert, Derek Thomas, and Adams Leshota) in response to the plaintiff's (Traian Bujduveanu) motion to strike the defendants' response brief to the plaintiff's motion to compel discovery responses. The defendants argue that the plaintiff's motion to strike should be denied because the defendants properly responded to all discovery requests. The defendants also argue that the plaintiff provides no valid legal basis to strike the defendants' response brief and is simply attempting to argue the merits of the case rather than the discovery issues. The defendants request that the plaintiff's motion be denied and sanctions be granted against the plaintiff.
This document is a response brief filed by the defendants (Dismas Charities, Inc., Ana Gispert, Derek Thomas, and Adams Leshota) in response to the plaintiff's (Traian Bujduveanu) motion to strike the defendants' response brief to the plaintiff's motion to compel discovery responses. The defendants argue that the plaintiff's motion to strike should be denied because the defendants properly responded to all discovery requests. The defendants also argue that the plaintiff provides no valid legal basis to strike the defendants' response brief and is simply attempting to argue the merits of the case rather than the discovery issues. The defendants request that the plaintiff's motion be denied and sanctions be granted against the plaintiff.
This document is a response opposing an application for an extension of time to file a brief. It summarizes that the appellants, who are appealing an order adding them as judgment debtors, have already received 60 days of extensions for filing their brief, totaling 120 days. The response argues the appeal does not require unusually complex factual or legal analysis. It asserts the appellants' claims that the appeal involves issues of probate, taxation, and irrevocable trusts are not properly within the scope of the appeal. The response requests the court deny any further extensions.
MDFL - Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Trade Secret & Fraud ClaimsPollard PLLC
In this order, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, denies the defendants' motions to dismiss claims for breach of contract, theft of trade secrets in violation of the Defend Trade Secrets Act, 18 USC 1836 et. seq., fraud and aiding and abetting fraud.
In relevant part, the Court rejects the defendants' efforts to impose a summary judgment like burden at the pleading stage. Notable holdings include: (1) The question of whether information constitutes a trade secret is a question of fact normally resolved by a jury after full presentation of evidence. (2) A claim for misappropriation may exist not only where the defendant itself is alleged to have stolen trade secrets, but where the defendant is alleged to have obtained the trade secrets while knowing that they were acquired by improper means. (3) The allegation that a defendant induced a plaintiff to enter an NDA with no intention of honoring it states a claim for fraud in the inducement that is not barred by the independent tort doctrine.
The plaintiff is represented by Fort Lauderdale, Florida based Pollard PLLC. The firm has extensive experience litigating complex non-compete, trade secret, trademark and unfair competition claims. Their office can be reached at 954-332-2380.
This document appears to be an appendix listing former Stanford employees and the proceeds they received from Stanford International Bank CDs, quarterly bonuses, severance payments, and other compensation. It includes the employees' names and identification numbers, amounts of loans taken from Stanford, and totals of commissions, bonuses, and other payments received from Stanford entities. The data appears to be from an investigation into the finances of these former Stanford employees.
This document is a summary of the Supreme Court's opinion in the case of BNSF Railway Co. v. Tyrrell. The Court held that:
1) Section 56 of the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) addresses venue, not personal jurisdiction over railroads. It specifies where FELA claims can be brought in federal court, but does not govern personal jurisdiction.
2) Montana state courts could not exercise general personal jurisdiction over BNSF Railway under Montana law. While BNSF operates in Montana, it is not incorporated or headquartered there, and its activities in the state are not so substantial as to render it "at home" there.
3) For
Appeal from the united states district court for the eastern district of wisc...Loki Stormbringer
This is a case about how a court may dispose of a copyright infringement action based on the fair use affirmative defense while avoiding the burdens of discovery and trial. This case also poses the interesting question of whether the incorporation-byreference doctrine applies to audio-visual works.
"We noted during oral argument that such a broad discovery request, surely entailing expensive e-discovery of emails or other internal communications, gives Brownmark the appearance of a “copyright troll.” We are confident that the district court would have refused to grant such expansive demands."
The document discusses a case where a truck driver sued a brewery after being injured by a falling light fixture while making a delivery. The brewery moved for summary judgment, but the court found there were genuine issues of material fact regarding whether the driver was actually injured at the brewery and whether the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur applied, so it denied the brewery's motion for summary judgment. The document also discusses whether the trial court properly admitted expert testimony from the plaintiff's vocational economic expert regarding lost earning capacity. It finds that the expert was properly qualified and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in its evidentiary rulings regarding the expert testimony.
This document provides a guide for perfecting an appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. It outlines initial considerations such as obtaining the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and Ninth Circuit Rules. It also summarizes the briefing, excerpts of record, and oral argument processes. Key deadlines and requirements are highlighted for each stage of an appeal. Contact information for the Ninth Circuit is also provided.
Appellant's Reply Brief in Georgia Court of AppealsJanet McDonald
Reply Brief filed into Georgia Court of Appeals. The Court had treated the Plaintiff/Appellant very unfairly, most likely because he was proceeding in propria persona. Legal argument, very informative.
The Estate of Elizabeth Haynes Urquhart vs. American Regional_ Earl R. Davis ...Earl R. Davis
This turnover action is untimely because Elizabeth Urquhart died in 2005. The statute of
limitations in a discovery or turnover proceeding is governed by the CPLR. See SCPA § 102 (“The
CPLR and other laws applicable to practice and procedure apply in the surrogate’s court except
where other procedure is provided by this act.”). A proceeding “commenced pursuant to SCPA §
2103 has been likened to a replevin action, which has a statute of limitations of three years.” If you are interested to know about the case, get in touch with Earl R. Davis.
GS Holistic Court Opinion in Trademark DisputeMike Keyes
This document is a court filing that recommends granting in part a motion for default judgment against two defendants, Haz Investments LLC and Hazim Assaf, in a trademark infringement lawsuit. The plaintiff, GS Holistic LLC, alleges the defendants sold counterfeit products bearing GS's trademarks without authorization. As the defendants failed to respond to the complaint, the clerk entered default against them. The court filing analyzes the applicable legal standards and finds default judgment is warranted procedurally and substantively for some of the plaintiff's claims. It recommends awarding $15,000 in statutory damages, $782 in costs, and injunctive relief to the plaintiff.
Doc962 freeman group motion compromise & settlement_ a walk-awaymalp2009
The Trustee filed a motion seeking court approval of a compromise and settlement agreement between the Trustee and the Freeman Parties. The agreement provides that Robert Freeman and David Ward will withdraw their respective $92,500 proof of claims against the estate with prejudice, and the Trustee will dismiss the Freeman Parties from an adversary proceeding. The agreement achieves a walk-away settlement and full mutual release of claims between the parties. The Trustee believes the settlement is in the best interest of creditors and the estate by avoiding substantial time and costs of litigation, despite believing there are good objections to the proof of claims.
Jefferies claims WFG Investments did not have permissionSusan Harriman
This document is Jefferies LLC's brief in support of its motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent Defendants from pursuing arbitration against it. Jefferies argues that it is not bound to arbitrate because it does not have a written agreement to arbitrate with Defendants, and Defendants were not Jefferies' customers. Jefferies contends it will suffer irreparable harm if forced to arbitrate, the balance of equities is in its favor, and an injunction is in the public interest. Therefore, Jefferies believes the court should grant its motion and enjoin Defendants from pursuing arbitration against it.
This order grants the defendants' motion to dismiss the plaintiff's complaint. The court found that the plaintiff did not adequately define the elements of its claimed trade dresses for essential oils and hair care products. Specifically, the plaintiff's use of the word "including" when listing elements suggested the dresses were not limited to what was listed. As the exact scope of the claimed dresses was uncertain, the plaintiff failed to give the defendants fair notice of the nature and basis of the trade dress claims against them. The court dismissed the plaintiff's three causes of action for trademark infringement, common law trademark infringement, and unfair business practices.
order Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief Order on Motion to Amend/Correct Fri 12:58 PM
ORDER granting in part and denying in part 60 Motion for Leave to Add Joinder of Additional Plaintiffs and for Leave to Add Facts to the Complaint; granting 62 Motion to Amend 60 Motion. Signed by Judge Jackson L. Kiser on 4/8/16.
Doc1037 robert oneil paul ballard_todd hickman_seeking approval_settlement & ...malp2009
This document is a Trustee's Motion to Approve Compromise and Settlement with Defendants Robert O'Neal, Paul Ballard and Todd Hickman in an Adversary proceeding. The Trustee is seeking the court's approval of a settlement agreement between the Trustee and the Defendants that would allow portions of the Defendants' claims against the Debtor's estate and resolve all claims between the parties. Key terms of the settlement include allowing 75% of O'Neal's claim, 60% of Ballard's claim, and 60% of Hickman's claim. The Trustee believes the settlement is in the best interest of the estate to avoid costly and uncertain litigation.
This document is a motion filed in a US bankruptcy court requesting permission to file an unredacted version of a response under seal. It summarizes that the response contains sensitive commercial information about the debtors' financial condition and restructuring negotiations. The debtors argue the information could harm ongoing negotiations and business operations if disclosed publicly. They seek to file the unredacted version under seal and make it available only to specific parties.
This document is an order from a United States District Court regarding cross-motions for summary judgment in a case involving a plaintiff who was imprisoned at a halfway house operated by the defendant. The court provides background on the case, including that the plaintiff sued over alleged unlawful seizure of his property and constitutional violations. The court evaluates the motions using the standard for summary judgment, granting the defendant's motion and denying the plaintiff's motion.
The document summarizes a court case involving defendants Robert Martins and Antonio Guastella who were convicted of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy. The defendants appealed their convictions, arguing that the admission of their co-conspirators' guilty plea allocutions violated their rights under the Confrontation Clause. The court found that (1) admitting the plea allocutions did violate the defendants' rights given they could not cross-examine the co-conspirators, but (2) the error was harmless because the evidence against the defendants, such as documentary evidence establishing they set up fake banks together, was overwhelming. The convictions were therefore upheld.
Doc723 motion to vacate claims & stay further proceedingmalp2009
The Chapter 11 Trustee filed a motion to vacate claims orders and stay further proceedings related to two claims filed against the bankruptcy estate. The claims, totaling $275,000 each, were based on promissory notes related to the debtor's purchase of a company called Premier. After the claims orders were entered allowing the claims in part, an indictment was filed describing how organized crime figures took control of the debtor and looted it for their personal benefit through fraudulent transactions like the one involving Premier. The indictment revealed that one of the claimants, Learned, was controlled by one of the crime figures and was used to defraud the debtor and launder money as part of the scheme.
Motion To Dismiss Raanan Katz Copyright Lawsuitrkcenters
Miami Heat minority owner Raanan Katz does not appreciate the photo of himself circulating on the internet, so he is suing Google and a Miami blogger for refusing to take it down.
And Raanan Katz, RK Centers Owner, apparently has enough money to sue anybody else who posts the photo.
The court denies the appellant's motion for rehearing or certification to the Supreme Court. The motion was improper and violated numerous rules. It failed to identify any facts overlooked or explain how the court's decision conflicted with precedents. The motion contained unsupported factual assertions and was an emotional tirade. The court directs the appellant's counsel to appear and show cause why sanctions should not be imposed for the frivolous motion and violations of conduct rules.
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The is the book list that Guy Spier and John Mihaljevic put together after polling members of the VALUEx Community for which books they recommended as required reading for the VALUEx 2016 conference.
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1. IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
IN RE HORSEHEAD HOLDING
CORP. SECURITIES LITIGATION
Civil. Action No. 16-292-LPS-CJB
Consolidated
CLASS ACTION
DEFENDANTS’ REPLY BRIEF TO LEAD PLAINTIFFS’ MEMORANDUM OF LAW
IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS
Geoffrey G. Grivner (# 4711)
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
919 North Market Street, Suite 1500
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Te1ephone: 302.552.4207
Facsimile: 302.552.4295
geoffrey.grivner@bipc.com
Stanley Yorsz
Gretchen L. Jankowski
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Telephone: 412.562.8800
Facsimile: 412.562.1041
stanley.yorsz@bipc.com
gretchen.jankowski@bipc.com
Attorneys for Defendants
James M. Hensler and Robert D. Scherich
Dated: August 17, 2017
Case 1:16-cv-00292-LPS-CJB Document 57 Filed 08/17/17 Page 1 of 15 PageID #: 2677
2. i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1
II. ARGUMENT.......................................................................................................................1
A. The Court May Consider the Regulatory Filings, Press Releases, and
Transcripts of Investor Calls At this Stage. .............................................................1
B. Plaintiffs’ Brief Misstates the Record and Otherwise Recites the
Incomplete Allegations in the Complaint, Which Itself Selectively
Reproduces Excerpts of Regulatory Filings, Press Releases, and
Transcripts of Investor Calls....................................................................................3
C. Defendants’ Cautionary Statements Were Not Mere Boilerplate, Nor Did
They Relate to Knowingly False Statements or Omissions.....................................6
D. Defendants Have Accurately Stated the Third Circuit’s Scienter Standard,
and Plaintiffs Have Failed to Meet this Standard. ...................................................8
III. CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................10
Case 1:16-cv-00292-LPS-CJB Document 57 Filed 08/17/17 Page 2 of 15 PageID #: 2678
3. ii
TABLE OF CITATIONS
Page(s)
Cases
Benak ex rel. Alliance Premier v. Alliance Capital Mgt.,
435 F.3d 396 (3d Cir. 2006).......................................................................................................1
Bartesch v. Cook,
941 F. Supp. 2d 501 (D. Del 2013)..........................................................................................10
Cal. Pub. Emples’. Ret. Sys. v. Chubb Corp.,
394 F.3d 126 (3d Cir. 2004).....................................................................................................10
In re Donald J. Trump Casino Securities Litigation,
7 F.3d 357 (3d Cir. 1993)...........................................................................................................6
GSC Partners CDO Fund v. Washington,
368 F.3d 228 (3d Cir. 2004)...................................................................................................6, 9
Institutional Investors Group v. Avaya, Inc.,
564 F.3d 242 (3rd Cir. 2009) ...............................................................................................9, 10
J/H Real Estate Inc. v. Abramson,
901 F. Supp. 952 (E.D. Pa. 1995)..............................................................................................7
Kolber v. Body Cent. Corp.,
967 F. Supp. 2d 1061 (D. Del. 2013).......................................................................................10
Murphy v. Precision Castparts Corp.,
2017 WL 3084274 (D. Or. June 27, 2017) ................................................................................9
Rahman v. Kid Brands, Inc.,
736 F.3d 237 (3d Cir. 2013).....................................................................................................10
Se. Pennsylvania Transp. Auth. v. Orrstown Fin. Servs., Inc.,
2015 WL 3833849 (M.D. Pa. June 22, 2015)............................................................................7
Shapiro v. UJB Financial Corp.,
964 F.2d 272 (3d Cir. 1992).......................................................................................................8
Southern Cross Overseas Agencies, Inc. v. WahKwong Shipping Group,
181 F.3d 410 (3d Cir. 1999).......................................................................................................1
In re Synchronoss Sec. Litig.,
705 F. Supp. 2d 367 (D.N.J. 2010)..........................................................................................10
Case 1:16-cv-00292-LPS-CJB Document 57 Filed 08/17/17 Page 3 of 15 PageID #: 2679
4. iii
Tellabs, Inc. v. Makor Issues & Rights, Ltd.,
551 U.S. 308 (2007)...................................................................................................................9
In re Vantive Corp. Sec. Litig.,
283 F.3d 1079 (9th Cir. 2002) ...................................................................................................8
In re Veritas Software Corp. Securities Litigation,
2006 WL 1431209 (D. Del. May 23, 2006)...............................................................................7
Winer Family Tr. v. Queen,
503 F.3d 319 (3d Cir. 2007).......................................................................................................8
Case 1:16-cv-00292-LPS-CJB Document 57 Filed 08/17/17 Page 4 of 15 PageID #: 2680
5. 1
I. INTRODUCTION
Plaintiffs’ brief regurgitates the skewed and incomplete story that comprises their
Consolidated Class Action Complaint (the “Complaint” or “CAC”), and continues to
misrepresent the disclosures from, and filings by, Defendants James Hensler and Robert Scherich
throughout the Class Period. When confronted with the complete narrative, Plaintiffs resort to
mislabeling Defendants’ statements as “boilerplate,” “false,” and “misleading” without providing
any explanation for these accusations. The Court should decline Plaintiffs’ invitation to accept
these unsupported accusations and should instead focus on the actual disclosures throughout the
Class Period.
Plaintiffs’ legal analysis is likewise flawed. They misstate the legal standards for
cautionary language attached to forward-looking statements, a defendant’s duty to disclose
information on a particular issue, and the requirements for scienter. Accordingly, the Court
should dismiss the Complaint with prejudice.
II. ARGUMENT
A. The Court May Consider the Regulatory Filings, Press Releases,
and Transcripts of Investor Calls At this Stage.
Contrary to Plaintiffs’ repeated suggestion, the Court may look to Horsehead’s SEC
filings and the investor call transcripts appended to Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss.1
That
approach is particularly apt where, as here, the case is all about SEC disclosures—not the
purported mismanagement of the Mooresboro Facility (“Mooresboro”) as Plaintiffs would have
this Court believe.
1
Neither of the cases cited by Plaintiffs, Benak ex rel. Alliance Premier v. Alliance Capital Mgt., 435 F.3d 396 (3d
Cir. 2006) and Southern Cross Overseas Agencies, Inc. v. WahKwong Shipping Group, 181 F.3d 410 (3d Cir. 1999),
compel the conclusion Plaintiffs urge upon this Court. Neither case concerned SEC disclosures, let alone citation to
other portions of the very same SEC filings upon which the complaint was based. Further, in Southern Cross, the
Third Circuit recognized that it could “examine” a court opinion “to see if it contradicts the complaint’s legal
conclusions or factual claims” because the plaintiff specifically referenced the opinion in its complaint. 181 F.3d at
427; see also Defs.’ Br. at 1 n.2 (discussing the Court’s authority to consider documents integral to the Complaint).
Case 1:16-cv-00292-LPS-CJB Document 57 Filed 08/17/17 Page 5 of 15 PageID #: 2681
6. 2
Importantly, Horsehead’s SEC disclosures refute Plaintiffs’ factual misrepresentations
that Defendants concealed equipment issues at Mooresboro in 2014 and early 2015. For
example, Horsehead’s February 2014 Press Release addressed the issues related to water testing,
which Plaintiffs accuse Defendants of never conducting:
We have experienced delays during the past several weeks and some damage to
piping, valves and fittings as a result of severe and prolonged cold weather
conditions. The facility is particularly vulnerable to cold weather during the
water circulation testing phase of the commissioning process. This is not
expected to be the case during normal operations with acidified solutions since
residual heat in the system should be sufficient to minimize the risk of freezing.
We have also experienced delays due to minor equipment issues mostly related to
locating and repairing sources of leaks, which is to be expected during the
commissioning process.
Defs.’ Ex. 2 at 4 (emphasis supplied). The May 12, 2014 Investor Call similarly addresses “a
very significant leak” and “issues, [that] really, didn’t surface until [Horsehead] started operating
more or less in a production mode,” which were “hopefully behind us.” Ex. 7 at 5-6. Horsehead
again addressed “start-up issues including some equipment malfunctions” in its August 2014 10-
Q. Ex. 11 at 64. These documents show that Defendants never “concealed” Horsehead’s
equipment issues.
Nor did Horsehead’s public filings conceal issues with nameplate capacity. In August
2014, Hensler disclosed:
Well, we really haven’t thought much about expanding beyond the 155,000 at this
stage because our focus is on getting there. As I think we’ve said in the past, we
believe that the capacity is there to get to the 170,000, 175,000 range, and it’s a
matter of getting additional zinc units to feed it. And once we get to the rated
capacity level of 155,000, we’ll evaluate whether that, in fact, is the case or
whether we need to put any further investment into Mooresboro to get it up to that
level. But at this stage, that hasn’t been on our radar screen.
Ex. 12 at 9 (emphasis supplied). Throughout the Class Period, Horsehead made similar
disclosures about nameplate capacity. See Ex. 22 at 6 (March 2015 10-K discussing how
“[t]iming [ ]for the completion of the ramp-up to full production cannot be determined with any
Case 1:16-cv-00292-LPS-CJB Document 57 Filed 08/17/17 Page 6 of 15 PageID #: 2682
7. 3
certainty at this time.”); Exs. 27 at 1 and 28 at 1 (June and July 2015 Press Releases discussing
how Horsehead “remain[ed] focused on ramping up to [its] interim goal of 75% of nameplate
capacity, which [it] hoped to achieve during the third quarter.”).
Horsehead similarly disclosed issues regarding the bottlenecks, such as the bleed
treatment area and clarifiers—again, contrary to Plaintiffs’ allegations. Horsehead’s November
2014 10-Q referenced how Horsehead “reallocated resources to focus on debottlenecking the
zinc production plant in October. . . .” Ex. 15 at 108. Its investor call the same day disclosed
“the problem we’ve been having”—“the clarity of the overflow for this first stage clarifier is not
at design spec. And so we’re bringing too many solids into the sand filters, that’s plugging them
up and that’s what’s restricting the flow.” Ex. 16 at 5. Throughout the next year, Horsehead
likewise addressed the lack of “sufficient capacity in [the] bleed treatment circuit,” the “higher
than expected destruction rates for cathodes and anodes,” and the “persistent equipment
reliability issues.” Ex. 26 at 7; see also Ex. 31 at 38 (August 2015 10-Q disclosing that
“[a]lthough production improved, it was primarily paced by the capacity of our process for
removing impurities from the system, the so-called bleed treatment system, and by intermittent
equipment reliability issues.”).
B. Plaintiffs’ Brief Misstates the Record and Otherwise Recites the Incomplete
Allegations in the Complaint, Which Itself Selectively Reproduces Excerpts of
Regulatory Filings, Press Releases, and Transcripts of Investor Calls.
As these statements illustrate, Defendants repeatedly discussed with Horsehead’s
shareholders and disclosed to the investing public the ongoing technical and operational issues
with Mooresboro. Undeterred, however, Plaintiffs also accuse Defendants of making material
misstatements about Horsehead’s liquidity and financial health. Far from it. See, e.g., Ex. 22 at
28 (February 2015 Form 10-K warning that “[o]ur substantial indebtedness could adversely
affect our financial flexibility and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the agreements
Case 1:16-cv-00292-LPS-CJB Document 57 Filed 08/17/17 Page 7 of 15 PageID #: 2683
8. 4
governing our indebtedness”); Ex. 28 at 1 (July 2015 Press Release stating that “[w]hile the
timing of achieving full zinc production cannot be predicted with certainty at this time, based on
our financing sources we believe we have adequate liquidity to support the ramp-up”).
Horsehead likewise disclosed market risks and commodity pricing in its Form 10-Ks, which it
incorporated into every quarterly and annual report filed during the Class Period. See, e.g., Ex. 4
at 55-58 (March 2013 Form 10-K).
Plaintiffs’ brief is also littered with factual inaccuracies. For example, they conflate
leaching reactors and clarifiers; misstate the number of clarifiers; and misidentify the material of
the clarifiers (which is ceramic in the problem clarifier—hence, no rubber lining).2
Plaintiffs’
brief also neglects to identify the source of many of the purported “misrepresentations,” relying
instead on their re-characterization of paragraphs in the Complaint.
Even more troubling, Plaintiffs repackage third-party statements and imply that they were
those of Horsehead. Attempting to challenge Defendants’ cautionary language, Plaintiffs
represent that “Defendants’ own conference call transcript describes [Horsehead’s] statements as
‘boilerplate risk disclosure.’” Plfs.’ Br. at 13 (quoting Plfs.’ Ex. 12 at 6). But that quotation is
from an analyst’s question during the following exchange:
Daniel Moore – CJS Securities, Inc. At the end of your prepared remarks, Jim,
you mentioned we may experience start-up issues similar to July. I’m just
wondering, is that kind of boilerplate risk disclosure? Are there any issues that
you’re seeing or experiencing as of today that could cause temporary shutdowns
over the coming weeks?
2
Plaintiffs’ brief also includes misleading references, citing to paragraphs in the Complaint unrelated to the
accompanying statement. For instance, they allege that “Defendants made affirmative statements about
Mooresboro’s ability to achieve output above nameplate capacity without significant additional investment.” Pls.’
Br. at 17. Among their “support” for this proposition are paragraphs 77-79 of the Complaint, which include
reproduced testimony from the Bankruptcy Trial – not affirmative statements during the Class Period. This is yet
another example of Plaintiffs’ repeated attempts to plead fraud by hindsight. Elsewhere, Plaintiffs’ brief includes
inaccurate references to their own Complaint, such as when they discuss the number of reactors but cite to a
paragraph discussing “gypsum extraction.” Compare Plfs.’ Br. at 5 n.5 (citing CAC ¶ 72) with CAC ¶ 72.
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9. 5
James M. Hensler Nothing that’s identified at this point, but the issue we had in
July was unusual. Did catch us a bit by surprise, and it’s the kind of thing that
happens at times in a start-up situation. So there may be other issues like that
we’re not aware of, but we don’t anticipate them at this point in time.
As for the so-called “boilerplate” used by Horsehead during the Class Period, Horsehead
included detailed, pages-long disclosures in its Form 10-Ks specifically designed to address
financial and liquidity risks. See Ex. 4 at 22 (2013 Form 10-K). Among them:
• The metals industry is highly cyclical. Fluctuations in the availability of zinc and nickel
and in levels of customer demand have historically been severe, and future changes
and/or fluctuations could cause us to experience lower sales volumes, which would
negatively impact our profit margins.
• We may not have sufficient funds to finish the final phase of construction of the new zinc
facility.
• Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient
cash flow from our business to pay the notes or other debt we may occur.
See id. at 19, 20, 22. Along with these “Risk Factors,” the public filings also included detailed
Cautionary Statements that described how certain other factors “could affect our future
performance and the liquidity and value of our securities and cause our actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us or on our
behalf . . . .” Id. at 4. And they include “the state of the credit and financial markets; decreases
in the prices of zinc and nickel-based products; competition from global zinc and nickel
manufacturers; our ability to implement our business strategy successfully; our ability to
complete the final phase of construction, commissioning and ramp up of our new zinc facility;
[and] our ability to realize the projected benefits from the new zinc facility once fully
operational . . . .” Id. Indeed, the caution concerning the price of zinc was particularly on point
because the price of zinc dropped precipitously in 2014 and 2015. See Plfs.’ Ex. 36 at 74
(November 2015 10-Q describing how “[s]ince May 2015, the price of zinc has fallen
approximately 34% reaching a five-year low in September of 2015 . . . . Changes in zinc pricing
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10. 6
have impacted our sales revenue since the prices of the products we sell are based primarily on
LME zinc prices, and they have impacted our costs of production, since the purchase prices of
some of our feedstocks are based on LME zinc prices.”).
C. Defendants’ Cautionary Statements Were Not Mere Boilerplate,
Nor Did They Relate to Knowingly False Statements or Omissions.
Plaintiffs disregard not only the substance of Horsehead’s cautionary statements relating
to forward-looking statements, but also ignore the law governing such statements. In each case
cited by Plaintiffs regarding cautionary language, the court ruled that the cautionary language
was sufficient to protect the forward-looking statements at issue. For instance, in GSC Partners
CDO Fund v. Washington, the Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of plaintiffs’ complaint holding,
in relevant part, that the statement in a circular that collection was “probable” was a “classic
forward-looking statement” since it was prediction of the likelihood of collection on change
orders and claims. 368 F.3d 228, 242 (3d Cir. 2004). Likewise, the Third Circuit in In re
Donald J. Trump Casino Securities Litigation affirmed dismissal of plaintiffs’ complaint,
holding, in relevant part, that the abundant and meaningful cautionary language in the prospectus
at issue rendered the alleged misrepresentations and omissions immaterial. 7 F.3d 357, 372 (3d
Cir. 1993) (“We can say that the prospectus here truly bespeaks caution because, not only does
the prospectus generally convey the riskiness of the investment, but its warnings and cautionary
language directly address the substance of the statement the plaintiffs challenge.”).
So too here. Defendants have highlighted the numerous, lengthy, meaningful cautionary
statements that accompanied their forward-looking statements in their Opening Brief and
exhibits thereto. See, e.g., Defs.’ Opening Brief at 6-9. In response to this significant evidence
of meaningful cautionary language, Plaintiffs are left to rely upon a single instance where a third
party referred to a single statement as “boilerplate.” Plfs.’ Br. at 13.
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11. 7
The cautionary statements made by Defendants are very much akin to those that have
been afforded safe harbor protection. See, e.g., Se. Pennsylvania Transp. Auth. v. Orrstown Fin.
Servs., Inc., 2015 WL 3833849, at *19 (M.D. Pa. June 22, 2015) (affording safe harbor
protection to forward-looking statement accompanied by statement that “[w]hile we believe we
have the resources and internal systems in place to successfully achieve and manage our future
growth, there can be no assurance growth opportunities will be available or that we will
successfully manage our growth.”). Moreover, Plaintiffs make no effort to compare Defendants’
cautionary language with statements that have been rejected by any court. Cf. J/H Real Estate
Inc. v. Abramson, 901 F. Supp. 952, 956-57 (E.D. Pa. 1995) (rejecting vague cautionary
language that warned “[a] number of factors . . . may in the future affect the Company’s ability
to control its medical costs and other operating expenses.”)
With respect to any alleged omission or misrepresentation, Plaintiffs rely upon cases that
are readily distinguishable from the facts alleged here. In In re Veritas Software Corp. Securities
Litigation, plaintiffs asserted that defendants inflated the company’s financial condition by
including, as revenue, contracts that were not yet finalized; “i.e., defendants are alleged to have
improperly recognized revenue, thereby knowingly misrepresenting Veritas’ current and forecast
revenue, net income and earnings per share.” 2006 WL 1431209, at *6 (D. Del. May 23, 2006).
This Court held that these allegations were sufficient to state a claim, stating “plaintiffs have
alleged that the earnings forecasts were false or lacked a reasonable basis when made because
they were related to improper revenue recognition. No manner of cautionary language can cure
false statements knowingly made.” Id. at *7. But here, the alleged misrepresentations
highlighted by Plaintiffs are not so clear-cut. A complaint “must allege that the defendant made
false or misleading statements either intentionally or with deliberate recklessness . . . .” In re
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12. 8
Vantive Corp. Sec. Litig., 283 F.3d 1079, 1085 (9th Cir. 2002) (emphasis supplied). Plaintiffs
have not adequately pled that any misrepresentation was intentional or deliberately reckless at
the time that it was made.
Indeed, the alleged statements amount to nothing more than fraud by hindsight. See
Defs.’ Opening Brief at 16. Reliance upon statements made by Defendant Hensler in the
bankruptcy proceeding, which certainly did not include any admission of making prior false
statements, does not adequately plead fraud. Winer Family Tr. v. Queen, 503 F.3d 319, 331 (3d
Cir. 2007) (rejecting fraud claim regarding scope of improvements needed at meat processing
facility based upon subsequent statements made two years after allegedly fraudulent statement).
Furthermore, Plaintiffs mischaracterize Defendants’ duty by stating that they were
obligated to speak “completely” about every aspect of the Mooresboro facility (or any other topic
for that matter). Relying upon Shapiro v. UJB Financial Corp., 964 F.2d 272 (3d Cir. 1992),
Plaintiffs appear to suggest that any and all material information regarding Mooresboro must
have been fully disclosed. In reality, many of Plaintiffs allegations of fraud are actually
allegations of mismanagement, which are not actionable. Id. at 281. Further flawed is Plaintiffs’
assertion that any purported omission of information by Defendants was material because of
declines in Horsehead’s stock prices. Plfs.’ Br. at 18. What Plaintiffs ignore, however, is that
Horsehead’s stock price decline closely tracked the declining price in zinc occurring at the same
time.
D. Defendants Have Accurately Stated the Third Circuit’s Scienter Standard,
and Plaintiffs Have Failed to Meet this Standard.
Plaintiffs contend that Defendants have incorrectly stated the law with respect to scienter
in that Defendants must personally benefit as a result of the fraud. Plfs.’ Br. at 8. In reality,
however, Defendants correctly noted in their Opening Brief that the Complaint lacked
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13. 9
allegations that are “typically pled when scienter exists such as how Hensler and Scherich each
personally benefitted as a result of the alleged fraud.” Defs.’ Br. at 15.3
Plaintiffs’ selective
quotation from Institutional Investors Group v. Avaya, Inc., 564 F.3d 242 (3rd Cir. 2009),
suggesting that the “absence of a motive allegation is not fatal” is simply misleading.
Under Supreme Court precedent, “the court’s job is not to scrutinize each allegation in
isolation but to assess all the allegations holistically. In sum, the reviewing court must ask:
When the allegations are accepted as true and taken collectively, would a reasonable person
deem the inference of scienter at least as strong as any opposing inference.” Tellabs, Inc. v.
Makor Issues & Rights, Ltd., 551 U.S. 308, 326 (2007). With this in mind, the Third Circuit
specifically held in Avaya:
According to our pre-Tellabs jurisprudence, “[m]otive must be supported by facts
stated with particularity, and must give rise to a strong inference of scienter.”
That proposition is no less true after Tellabs, although we no longer make an
independent search for scienter on the basis of motive and opportunity allegations
alone. “[M]otives that are generally possessed by most corporate directors and
officers do not suffice; instead, plaintiffs must assert a concrete and personal
benefit to the individual defendants resulting from this fraud.”
564 F.3d at 278 (quoting GSC Partners, 368 F.3d at 237) (internal citations omitted) (emphasis
supplied).
Undeterred by their failure to establish personal benefit, Plaintiffs go on to argue that
scienter is established under the “core operations doctrine.” Plfs.’ Br. at 19. What Plaintiffs
omit from the very case they cite, however, is the fact that “a ‘core operations inference,’ without
more, rarely satisfies the scienter requirement.” Murphy v. Precision Castparts Corp., 2017 WL
3084274, at *17 (D. Or. June 27, 2017). Moreover, the Third Circuit and this Court have
expressly limited application of the core operations inference when analyzing a plaintiff’s
3
Plaintiffs argue, without citing a single case, that the personal benefit achieved by Hensler and Scherich was
keeping their jobs. Plfs.’ Br. at 8 n.6. But such an argument ignores Avaya and prior Third Circuit precedent.
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14. 10
satisfaction of the scienter requirement. See Rahman v. Kid Brands, Inc., 736 F.3d 237, 247 (3d
Cir. 2013) (“[C]orporate management’s general awareness of the day-to-day workings of the
company’s business does not establish scienter—at least absent some additional allegations of
specific information conveyed to management and related to fraud.”) (citation omitted).
Plaintiffs also erroneously contend that Defendants have not challenged the confidential
witnesses whose statements Plaintiffs suggest bolster the existence of scienter. Plfs.’ Br. at 19.
To the contrary, Defendants noted in their Opening Brief that none of the confidential witnesses
reported directly to Hensler or Scherich. Defs.’ Br. at 13 n.9. Nor is there any allegation that
CW1-CW4 ever communicated in any way with Hensler or Scherich. Given the complete lack
of any relationship between the confidential witnesses and Defendants, their statements are of
little or no value in establishing scienter, particularly with respect to any alleged
misrepresentations as to Horsehead’s financial and liquidity status.4
III. CONCLUSION
For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court should dismiss the Complaint with prejudice
and should not grant Plaintiffs leave to amend. See, e.g., Kolber v. Body Cent. Corp., 967 F.
Supp. 2d 1061, 1072 (D. Del. 2013).
4
None of the CWs’ statements concern Horsehead’s financial status or its liquidity. See CAC ¶¶ 50-54, 56-59, 62-
66, 68-75. Further, in the few places where the CWs attempt to link their information to what “management” knew,
they do so vaguely, and upon “belief.” See, e.g., CAC ¶¶ 57 & 59. But that, too, is insufficient. The allegations
attributed to confidential sources must instead “contain specific details regarding the basis for the source’s personal
knowledge and describe supporting events in detail.” In re Synchronoss Sec. Litig., 705 F. Supp. 2d 367, 400
(D.N.J. 2010) (citing Cal. Pub. Emples’. Ret. Sys. v. Chubb Corp., 394 F.3d 126, 146 (3d Cir. 2004)). “If the
allegations do not demonstrate the confidential witnesses’ reliability, the Court must ‘discount them steeply.’”
Bartesch v. Cook, 941 F. Supp. 2d 501, 507 (D. Del 2013) (quoting Avaya, 564 F.3d at 263)).
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15. 11
/s/ Geoffrey G. Grivner
Geoffrey G. Grivner (# 4711)
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
919 North Market Street, Suite 1500
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Te1ephone: 302.552.4207
Facsimile: 302.552.4295
geoffrey.grivner@bipc.com
Stanley Yorsz
Gretchen L. Jankowski
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY
PC
301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Telephone: 412.562.8800
Facsimile: 412.562.1041
stanley.yorsz@bipc.com
gretchen.jankowski@bipc.com
Attorneys for Defendants
James Hensler and Robert Scherich
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