I did not get much new information today on the $103 million Evans v. Baker McKenzie verdict.

The lead defense lawyer has been identified as James Brown of Liskow & Lewis in New Orleans. Here is his firm bio page. I am not sure who local defense counsel was or whether they had local defense counsel.

I hear that David Dunbar of Jackson was involved in the trial, but I am not sure of his role.

There was a punitive damages component of the verdict of $150,000. Although miniscule compared to the total verdict, it opens the door to the judge awarding attorney’s fees to plaintiff’s counsel. Plaintiff’s counsel could ask for a percentage of the verdict in attorney’s fees—like 1/3. So the miniscule punitive verdict could end up adding a lot to the judgment.

The trial judge was Judge Billy Joe Landrum. Judge Landrum also presided in the August trial that resulted in a $132.5 million verdict in a case involving the death of New York Mets prospect Brian Cole. Here are prior posts on that case.

Judge Landrum has a reputation as being grouchy to defense counsel and I hear that this case was no exception.

On October 21, 2010 a federal court jury in Jackson rendered a plaintiff’s verdict of $300,000 in an alienation of affection case. Here is the Complaint in Ainsworth v. Gildea. The case settled before the jury could render a verdict on punitive damages.

Here is the jury’s verdict form.

Here is the Court’s order of dismissal.

Judy Barnett and Michael Malouf of Jackson represented the plaintiff. Jud Lee and Cynthia Speetjens of Madison represented the out-of-state defendant. Judge Dan Jordan was the trial judge.

I don’t really know the alleged facts and don’t care enough to try to find out. As previously noted, I am not a fan of the the alienation of affection cause of action.

My Take:

So much for the notion that there are not wing-nut verdicts in federal court. On a lighter note, I bet Judge Jordan never expected to preside over an alienation of affection trial when he was nominated and confirmed for the U.S. District Court. And I bet he didn’t mind that one bit. But even alienation of affection cases can be removed to federal court. No word yet on whether Judge Jordan will present on the cause of action at the next 5^th Circuit Judicial Conference. I’m betting not.