Yung

I. Factual and Procedural Background

Appellant was employed by respondents from October 2007 until his employment was terminated in February 2008. Christina Kotowski, respondents‟ counsel, gave Yung three checks in the total amount of $5,143.13 for various business expenses at a conference before the Labor Commissioner in August 2008. Appellant refused to cash the checks. In April 2009, appellant filed a complaint for breach of contract, wrongful termination, misrepresentation, and defamation against respondents. In March 2010, appellant began representing himself. On January 7, 2011, respondents served notice that appellant‟s deposition was scheduled for February 9, 2011. Though appellant appeared for his deposition, it did not go forward. Appellant “rudely demanded” that the videographer give him more tea and that the video camera be moved to the other side of the room. He complained that he was the only person to be videotaped and refused to sit down and be sworn for his deposition. After Kotowski told the court reporter and the videographer that she wanted to put a statement on the record, the videographer began his prefatory statement on the record. However, appellant began…