Jurisprudence

Judy Nelson’s attorney in her palimony suit against Martina Navratilova should be disqualified from the case because he unjustly gained financial data, a lawyer testified during the third day of a preliminary hearing in the lawsuit on whether he should be removed from the case.

The conduct of Jerry Loftin, Nelson’s lawyer, was made an issue, and Nelson hired another lawyer to act as a consultant. That lawyer, whose name wasn’t released, met with both women and with Navratilova’s attorney.

Navratilova and Nelson met privately for more than an hour in an attempt to reach a settlement in the lawsuit.

Mike McCurley, one of Navratilova’s lawyers, said a settlement cannot occur unless Loftin “is either disqualified or he agrees to a disqualification.”

Gary DeShazo, another attorney for the tennis player, said Loftin seeks 40% of any settlement Nelson receives in the lawsuit through a contingent fee.