CLEVELAND--An Ohio judge presiding over an asbestos bodily harm case has barred the plaintiff's former law firm from practicing again before the court, saying an attorney with the firm lied to the court, submitted false asbestos claims and broke other court rules.
Judge Harry A. Hanna of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in Cleveland issued his ruling Jan. 18 against Brayton Purcell L.L.P. The judge cited numerous violations committed by Novato, Calif.-based attorney Christopher Andreas.
Mr. Andreas, who is listed as a junior partner on the law firm's Web site, had represented the estate of Jack Kananian against cigarette maker Lorillard Tobacco Co. of Greensboro, N.C.
In his ruling, Judge Hanna listed 13 infractions committed by Mr. Andreas. The judge also found that Mr. Andreas committed other violations that "paled" in comparison to those the judge detailed. Among the noted violations, the judge said Mr. Andreas:
Judge Hanna, however, rejected Lorillard's motion to dismiss the case, ruling that the plaintiffs had not violated any court rules.
Mr. Andreas as well as the estate's current attorney and Lorillard's attorney did not return calls.