Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_05-cv-01707/USCOURTS-cand-4_05-cv-01707-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 840
Nature of Suit: Trademark
Cause of Action: 15:1114 Trademark Infringement

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153 Townsend Street, Suite 800San Francisco, California 94107-1957

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

OAKLAND DIVISION

MD BEAUTY, INC. and BIOCEUTIX INC.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

DENNIS F. GROSS, M.D. d/b/a/ M.D. 

SKINCARE LLC and DENNIS GROSS, M.D., 

L.L.P.,

Defendants.

Case No.: C 05 01707

ORDER DISQUALIFYING SHEPPARD, 

MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP
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153 Townsend Street, Suite 800San Francisco, California 94107-1957

The Motion of defendants Dennis F. Gross and M/D Skincare, LLC (sued as “Dennis F. 

Gross, M.D. d/b/a M.D. Skincare LLC”) (hereinafter “Dr. Gross”) to disqualify Sheppard, Mullin, 

Richter & Hampton LLP (hereinafter “Sheppard Mullin”) was heard by this Court on October 25, 

2005. 

Having reviewed the pleadings and evidence submitted by the parties and having heard oral 

argument thereon, the Court finds that: 

1. Neil Smith’s representation of Dr. Gross in the prior California action, Civil Action 

No. C 03-3082 SBA, is “substantially related” to Sheppard Mullin’s representation of plaintiffs MD 

Beauty Inc. and Bioceutix, Inc. (hereinafter “MD Beauty”) in this action, Civil Action No. C 05-

1707; 

2. As a matter of law, Mr. Smith is therefore irrebuttably presumed to have obtained 

material confidential information relevant to this action; 

3. Assuming arguendo that the presumption were rebuttable I find that it has not been 

adequately rebutted;

4. Mr. Smith’s presumed knowledge of confidential information is vicariously imputed 

to Sheppard Mullin;

5. This vicarious imputation to Sheppard Mullin is irrebuttable as a matter of law, but 

assuming arguendo that this imputation were rebuttable, I find that it has not been adequately 

rebutted;

6. The firm of Sheppard Mullin is therefore disqualified from further representing MD 

Beauty in this action, Civil Action No. C 05-1707. 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT Defendants' motion to disqualify is GRANTED.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Sheppard Mullin shall transfer its entire file to counsel 

that MD Beauty, Inc. and Bioceutix, Inc. may retain to represent their interests in this action, 

provided that, Sheppard Mullin, including its attorneys and staff at all of its offices, shall not 

convey any confidential attorney-client privileged information obtained from Dr. Gross in the prior 

representation, or any information derived from such confidential attorney-client privileged 

information to any counsel that MD Beauty, Inc. and Bioceutix, Inc. may retain to represent their 

interests in this action. This restriction only applies to information that is confidential within the 
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153 Townsend Street, Suite 800San Francisco, California 94107-1957

meaning of the attorney-client privilege, and does not apply to information that is available in public 

or other non-confidential sources.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT in the interests of justice and the orderly administration 

of this case, the instant action shall be STAYED for thirty (30) days from the date this Order is filed. 

All scheduled dates in this action are VACATED. The parties shall appear for a telephonic Case 

Management Conference on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. The parties shall meet 

and confer prior to the conference and shall file a joint Case Management Conference Statement, no 

later than ten (10) days prior to the Case Management Conference, that includes, inter alia, the 

parties' proposed new date(s) in this action. Plaintiffs' counsel shall be responsible for filing the 

statement as well as for initiating the conference call by calling (510) 637-3559 at the specified date 

and time with all parties on the line.

NO PARTY SHALL CONTACT CHAMBERS DIRECTLY WITHOUT PRIOR 

AUTHORIZATION OF THE COURT.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 10/27/05 ______________________________

SAUNDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG

United States District Judge