Opinion ID: 2524663
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: material and confidential information

Text: We first consider whether the district court erred in finding that French acquired material and confidential information regarding Dickson & Pope's representation of Zimmerman. Where a motion to disqualify an attorney under KRPC 1.10(b) has been filed, the district court must hold a full evidentiary hearing and determine whether the attorney in question acquired material and confidential information during his or her former employment. The court must then make specific factual findings whether the attorney had knowledge of material and confidential information. Lansing-Delaware Water District v. Oak Lane Park, Inc., 248 Kan. 563, Syl. ¶ 1, 808 P.2d 1369 (1991). Where a motion to disqualify has been filed, based on the movement of nonlawyer personnel, the trial court must proceed in the same manner as if the person was an attorney. When the district court has made findings of fact and conclusions of law, the function of this court on appeal is to determine whether the findings of fact are supported by substantial competent evidence and whether the findings are sufficient to support the district court's conclusions of law. 248 Kan. 563, Syl. ¶ 3. The district court found that French had acquired material and confidential information regarding the Zimmerman suit which justified granting the motion to disqualify Fisher Patterson. In doing so, the court stated: Counsel agree that if Ms. French were an attorney having changed from one firm to another under these circumstances the firm would be disqualified. Kansas Appellate Courts have not adopted nor have they approved any attorney conflict cases, the screening process. The concerns expressed by Mr. Pope and Mr. Crowl certainly I think are legitimate concerns. I think they certainly raise an appearance to their litigant, their client of conflict and if I don't weigh the testimony that anyone, Ms. Moffitt, Ms. French, Mr. Crowl, I think on the face of it the motion should be granted. If I weigh the testimony of Ms. French and Ms. Moffitt, particularly those two, I still have concerns. I think both Ms. Moffitt and Ms. French were honest in their answers, told the truth as they understand the situation and as they recall. I think perhaps more knowledge was attributed to Ms. French than she may actually possess, but notwithstanding I do think that she has the benefit of some information which on the face of it may not in her mind be information that's really relevant, but when in fact it could be relevant. I'm reluctant. I think there needs to be a rule addressing the situation that we have here. That does not exist, and I think in the absence of that under all the circumstances and the proffers that have been made, that the concerns that counsel have for Dickson & Pope regarding possible settlement prospects and monetary value of their client's position with regard to settlement; deposition testimony that has been given, particularly by the plaintiff and how the firm may have assessed that deposition testimony as to its strength and weaknesses; strategy with regard to how to proceed with this trial, what evidence to present and what points in the trial to present it are all legitimate concerns that under all the circumstances I think warrant the granting of this motion. I think if we had a rule in these circumstances that offered the protection from a screening system, results today would be different today than they are. If there is not such a rule that I am aware and counsel has not made me aware of such a rule and that would apply under the facts of this case, I think these kinds of cases are going to have to be determined on a case by case basis. Because of the nature of this case, discussion of the specific testimony in this opinion is not feasible. The district court's findings of fact were based upon the in camera testimony and also upon the testimony taken in open court. Suffice it to say that French has knowledge of particular facts which are material and confidential regarding the Zimmerman matter. Although she may not be aware of the importance of these facts, they are, nonetheless, material to the case. Upon review of the in camera testimony and the testimony taken in open court, we hold that the district court's findings of fact are supported by substantial competent evidence and that the findings are sufficient to support the district court's conclusion that French had acquired material and confidential information regarding the Zimmerman matter.