Opinion ID: 764886
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Unfair Trial Tactics

Text: 72 NatWest complains that Judge Conti improperly allowed Reilly to appeal to the emotions of the jury during trial by: (1) repeatedly accusing NatWest of discovery wrongdoing; (2) encouraging the jury to send a message to NatWest that contracts mean something; and (3) telling the jury that NatWest had been found guilty of willful and wrongful discharge. We disagree. A district court is entitled to give attorneys wide latitude in formulating their arguments. See Matthews v. CTI Container Transp. Int'l Inc., 871 F.2d 270, 278 (2d Cir. 1989). Rarely will an attorney's conduct so infect a trial with undue prejudice or passion as to require reversal. See id. In this case, we are satisfied that the conduct of Reilly's counsel was not so prejudicial as to warrant a new trial.