Judy Chapman, T. Dolores Butler, Leslie Ann Jassman, Deborah Halvonik v. Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co.

Deborah Halvonik was one of the attorneys for multiple plaintiffs in a Title VII action. During pretrial proceedings, she refused to comply with the order of the district court asserting that the order was confusing and invalid for unconstitutionality. The court found that the order was clear and definite.

The issue here is whether the district court may hold an attorney in criminal contempt for willfully refusing to comply with a clear and definite order, even though the attorney asserts that the order is unconstitutional and that she was confused. We hold that the court had that right and affirm the order holding the attorney in criminal contempt.

At a pre-trial conference on January 6, 1978, the district court orally ordered Mrs. Halvonik, lead counsel, to submit a written narrative statement of the direct testimony of each witness whom plaintiffs intended to call at the trial. The court observed that such statements would be helpful to the court in understanding the issues and would compel the parties to prepare adequately for trial. Appellant was given ten days to comply.

She made no attempt to prepare the statements. Instead, on January 16, she petitioned this court for a…