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Oral arguments scheduled in Donald Sterling’s appeal of Clippers sale

Former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, right, watches the Clippers play the Lakers in 2010 with V. Stiviano. A recording of a conversation between the two in which Sterling spoke disparagingly of blacks ultimately led to Sterling's ouster from the NBA.

Former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, right, watches the Clippers play the Lakers in 2010 with V. Stiviano. A recording of a conversation between the two in which Sterling spoke disparagingly of blacks ultimately led to Sterling’s ouster from the NBA.

(Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Oral arguments are scheduled for Oct. 28 in Donald Sterling’s appeal of the L.A. County Superior Court ruling that cleared the way for the Clippers to be sold.

The former owner wants California’s 2nd Court of Appeal to reverse last year’s decision by Judge Michael Levanas that Shelly Sterling acted properly in removing her husband as a member of the family trust that controlled the franchise and agreeing to sell it to former Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer.

As part of the sweeping decision in July 2014, Levanas issued an unusual order under section 1310(b) of the probate code that allowed the $2-billion sale of the Clippers to proceed regardless of any appeal by Donald Sterling.

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In a submission to the appellate court, Sterling’s attorneys argued that the order was a “reversible error” that led to a “miscarriage of justice.”

Bobby Samini, Sterling’s attorney, and Pierce O’Donnell, representing Shelly Sterling, will each have 30 minutes to argue the appeal in front of a three-justice panel.

The case is one front in Donald Sterling’s wide-ranging legal fight. His federal lawsuit against the NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver, Shelly Sterling and others is ongoing.

In August, Donald Sterling filed for divorce. He also sued TMZ in L.A. County Superior Court for publishing the recording of his inflammatory comments about African Americans last year that led to his ouster from the NBA.

Twitter: @nathanfenno

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