Opinion ID: 579064
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Remington's Cross-Appeal

Text: 9 In addition to the evidentiary questions discussed above, Remington raises four other issues. Claiming the persistent misconduct of Campbell's counsel fatally prejudiced its case, Remington challenges the district court's denial of its motion for a new trial. We review for abuse of discretion. Ortiz v. Bank America National Trust and Saving Association, 852 F.2d 383 (9th Cir.1988). The record shows that the district court ruled on specific issues in a consistently responsible and evenhanded manner. 10 Remington next asserts that the district court wrongly admitted testimony from Campbell's expert John Butters that was inappropriately speculative and beyond the realm of his expertise. We review for abuse of discretion. Taylor v. Burlington Northern R. Co., 787 F.2d 1309 (9th Cir.1986). The transcript of the extensive voir dire which Butters underwent before testifying convinces us that Remington's contention is groundless. 11 Remington also maintains that the district court erred in rejecting its proposed jury instruction on comparative negligence, which related to the plaintiff's product misuse. This contention is devoid of merit. The district court rightly gave the version of Alaska Pattern Jury Instruction 7.06 appropriate for causes of action accruing before the Alaska Tort Reform Act took effect. In Pre-Tort Reform products liability cases, the defendant was not entitled to a comparative negligence instruction on product misuse. Dura Corporation v. Harned, 703 P.2d 396 (Alaska 1985). 12 Remington lastly avers that it is entitled to a new trial because the record on appeal lacks a transcript of sidebar conferences. Remington believes that this deficiency hinders effective appellate review of its allegations of attorney misconduct. For two reasons, this issue is spurious. First, the district court indicated to counsel that sidebar conferences were not to be on the record absent a specific request to that effect. 13 Second, even if Remington rightly assumed in all good faith that sidebar conferences were routinely recorded, reversal on this point is not indicated under the controlling case of Bergerco, U.S.A. v. Shipping Corporation of India, Ltd., 896 F.2d 1210 (9th Cir.1990). The extant record more than sufficed to give an accurate flavor of the interactions among opposing counsel and the trial court. Consequently, the lack of a transcript of sidebar conferences did not materially affect our ability to review Remington's allegations of attorney misconduct. 14 The district court handled this protracted case and contentious counsel with civility, wisdom, and impartiality. The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.