In a recent order, U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel of the Eastern District of Missouri sharply warned that he may disqualify the defense counsel for Doe Run Resources Corp., citing their \u201crepeated disregard\u201d of court orders. The action stems from long-running litigation brought by Napoli Shkolnik on behalf of more than 3,000 Peruvian children who allege lead poisoning tied to Doe Run\u2019s mining operations near La Oroya, Peru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judge Sippel criticized Doe Run\u2019s attorneys for filing two related legal actions in Florida, one in federal court and one in state court, calling their efforts to obtain discovery \u201ctantamount to a vexatious multiplication of litigation,\u201d Law.com reported<\/a>. He accused the defense of trying to sidestep his sealing and discovery orders and warned, \u201cAny attempts by defendants to circumvent my discovery orders in this case \u2026 will be met with sanctions, including the possibility of striking defendants\u2019 pleadings \u2026 and proceeding with trials solely on damages,\u201d the news outlet said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The order did not name specific firms but referenced attorneys at Rivero Mestre, Polsinelli, Lewis Rice, Dowd Bennett, and King & Spalding, all of whom have represented Doe Run in the litigation. The court has not yet set a date for the next hearing, when it plans to address potential sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n