Gang

Martin Gang, plaintiff-appellant, is a lawyer who has practiced in Los Angeles County, California, for some twenty-seven years. The defendants-appellees are citizens of states other than California. It seems fair here to characterize Howard Hughes, president of Hughes Tool Company, as the principal defendant. Hughes Tool and RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., companies in which Hughes is substantially interested, are other defendants. Also, another defendant is Carl Byoir and Associates, a corporate public relations firm alleged to be employed by Hughes Tool Company and Hughes, individually.

The amended complaint says that Byoir is a publicity firm employed for the purpose of getting statements published in an effort to create a good reputation for Hughes as an upright, honest and just person and as a person to be admired by the public.

Gang, it seems, in 1952 represented Jean Simmons and Stewart Granger in litigation against Hughes and RKO in the United States District Court for the Southern Division of California. In July, 1952, Gang obtained a settlement for Simmons and Granger which required RKO to pay Gang’s attorney fees in the amount of $35,000. Then it is said that thereupon the…