OTHER NEWS - May 12, 1992

Judge Awards $1.5 Million in Frivolous Lawsuit: In one of the biggest fines ever imposed for pursuing a frivolous lawsuit, a Los Angeles judge has ordered a law firm, two of its lawyers and a corporate client to pay $1.5 million to a Buena Park roofing insulation installer and three other defendants. Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Swearinger ruled that Lewis, D’Amato, Brisbois & Bisgaard and its client, Sierracin Corp., knew there was no proof to connect Dittemore Co. and the other defendants to allegedly defective aluminum foil insulation. The suit was thrown out in January. The sanctions were ordered to cover the legal fees and costs of those who were sued in connection with a 1985 fire that destroyed a Sierracin plant in Angeles. The law firm said it will appeal the decision.