Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-00504/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-00504-10/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Insurance Contract

---

1 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 The court writes to inform counsel of a potential conflict with respect to a current law 

18 clerk assigned to support the court during the upcoming trial of this matter. 

19 The law clerk is in a relationship and cohabitates with an employee of Finn Partners, Inc. 

20 (Finn). Finn previously served as a third-party media consultant for AGA Service Company. In 

21 his role with Finn, the law clerk’s partner has informed her he prepared public media statements 

22 and internal communications regarding developments in ongoing litigation, including statements 

23 related to this matter. He prepared public media statements related to this matter for AGA 

24 Service Company as recently as February 2023. It is the court’s understanding that as of January 

25 1, 2025, AGA no longer works with Finn. The law clerk has not discussed the substance of this 

26 matter with her partner and, having reviewed the applicable rules and standards, does not believe 

27 the relationship creates a conflict of interest. 

Boris Antl, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

AGA Service Company, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:22-cv-00504-KJM-AC 

ORDER 

Case 2:22-cv-00504-KJM-AC Document 81 Filed 01/06/25 Page 1 of 2
2 

1 It is well established that a law clerk shall recuse themself from a matter when necessary 

2 to “ensur[e] both the reality and appearance of impartiality.” First Interstate Bank of Arizona, 

3 N.A. v. Murphy, Weir & Butler, 210 F.3d 983, 988 (9th Cir. 2000) (“[J]udges (and their law 

4 clerks) are presumed to be impartial and to discharge their ethical duties faithfully so as to avoid 

5 the appearance of impropriety.”). The court accepts the truth of the law clerk’s representations 

6 that her relationship does not create a conflict of interest but recognizes that the impartiality of the 

7 judiciary is essential to maintaining its integrity and the promotion of public confidence. 

8 The court, therefore, allows the parties to submit an objection to the law clerk’s 

9 involvement within seven days of the filing of this order. Should either party object, the court 

10 will take appropriate steps to restrict the law clerk’s performance of official duties in this matter 

11 so as to avoid a conflict or appearance of a conflict of interest. 

12 IT IS SO ORDERED. 

13 DATED: January 6, 2025. 

Case 2:22-cv-00504-KJM-AC Document 81 Filed 01/06/25 Page 2 of 2