Steven Mark Lasar v. Ford Motor Company, and Lawrence Sutter

While driving a Ford pick-up truck, plaintiff Mark Lasar was involved in a rollover accident. Lasar subsequently brought a products liability damages action against Ford Motor Company. This appeal arises from sanctions that the district court levied against Ford and its counsel, Lawrence Sutter, for statements that Sutter made during his opening statement to the jury that ultimately resulted in a mistrial.

In imposing sanctions, the district court determined that Sutter violated two pretrial in limine orders prohibiting Ford from introducing evidence that Lasar had been drinking before the accident and had not been wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident. At the conclusion of a sanctions hearing, the district court ordered Ford and Sutter to pay sanctions to Lasar and to the District Court. The sanctions were intended to reimburse La-sar for unnecessary expenses and attorney’s fees, and to reimburse the district court for the costs of empaneling the jury. The court also found Sutter in contempt of court for deliberately violating the pretrial order relating to alcohol use. Finally, the court revoked Sutter’s pro hac vice status and permanently barred Sutter from…