Author: Anonymous

Attorney Art represents Client Charles, the CEO of a promine…

Attorney Art represents Client Charles, the CEO of a prominent tech startup, in an active trade-secrets lawsuit against a primary corporate competitor. A trial date is set in 3 months. Last week, Charles scheduled an urgent, private meeting with Art. During the meeting, Charles was shaking and confessed, “I just took care of our problem. I hired a contract killer to eliminate the competitor’s CEO. The hit is scheduled to happen this Friday night. Once he’s gone, their lawsuit dies, and we win by default.” Art was horrified and immediately told Charles, “You need to call this off right now. I will not represent you if you go through with this.  I cannot keep this a secret.” Charles became furious, and threatened Art, saying, “You work for me, and you’re bound by attorney-client privilege. If you open your mouth to the cops or the judge, I will make sure you’re next.”  Charles then stormed out of the office. The next day, Art sent Charles a letter informing Charles of his immediate withdrawal from the case due to a breakdown in their relationship.  Art demanded Charles sign a substitution of attorney. Charles refused to sign.  He texted Art:  “If you try to drop me now, it will tank my company’s valuation right before trial. I will kill you!” What are Art’s ethical obligations and options?

Maria Chen (“Chen”) is a resident of Fresno, California. In…

Maria Chen (“Chen”) is a resident of Fresno, California. In June 2025, Chen purchased a “HeatMaster” outdoor gas grill from a retail store in Fresno. The grill was designed, manufactured, and assembled entirely in California by Golden State Grills, Inc., a California corporation with its only facility in Fresno. Every HeatMaster grill is equipped with a safety shut-off valve manufactured by Empire Valve Co. (“Empire”), a corporation incorporated in New York with its only manufacturing facility in Buffalo, New York. Empire has no offices, employees, agents, bank accounts, or real property in California. Empire has never advertised in California and has never sent any employee or representative to California. Five years ago, Empire and Golden State entered into a written supply contract under which Empire agreed to manufacture shut-off valves exclusively for installation in HeatMaster grills. Under the contract, Empire ships the valves directly from its Buffalo facility to Golden State’s plant in Fresno four times each year, and has done so without interruption for five years. Golden State is Empire’s only customer, and Empire knows that Golden State sells HeatMaster grills only to consumers in California. In July 2025, while Chen was using her HeatMaster grill at her home in Fresno, the shut-off valve malfunctioned and failed to stop the flow of gas. The grill exploded, and Chen suffered serious burns. Chen sued Empire in the United States District Court in California. Chen’s complaint alleges that the shut-off valve installed in her grill was defectively designed and manufactured by Empire. Empire timely filed a motion to dismiss the complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2), contesting personal jurisdiction. California has a long-arm statute that states: “A court of this state may exercise jurisdiction on any basis not inconsistent with the Constitution of this state or of the United States.” Assume, for the purposes of this question, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply. How should the court rule on Empire’s Motion to Dismiss? Fully discuss and explain your answer.