Giuseppe Pampena, et al. v. Elon Musk
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 7 GIUSEPPE PAMPENA, et al., Case No. 22-cv-05937-CRB
Plaintiffs,
ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFS' v.
MOTION TO DISQUALIFY ALEX
SPIRO AS TRIAL COUNSEL
ELON MUSK, Defendant.
Plaintiffs move to disqualify Alex Spiro as trial counsel for Defendant Musk. Mot. (dkt. 295). They contend that Spiro is a key fact witness in the case and his role as lead trial counsel would violate the advocate-witness rule. Id. at 6. Unsurprisingly, Musk disagrees. Musk argues that disqualification of his lead trial counsel so late into the case would be unfair, especially because he provided informed written consent to have Spiro continue as counsel even if called as a witness. Opp’n (dkt. 300) at 1. Because Musk provided consent and Plaintiffs fail to show palpable prejudice, the Court DENIES Plaintiffs’ motion. I. BACKGROUND Alex Spiro is a high-profile lawyer who has done work with many noteworthy individuals and celebrities. Yuen Decl. (dkt. 295-1)…