Opinion ID: 2549623
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Magalianes evidence

Text: On February 14, 2002, attorney Howard Ecker advised DDCP via letter that ES had hired Magalianes. With respect to the Leibowitz case, Ecker indicated that Magalianes told him she might have revised the initial complaint in the divorce proceedings while working at DDCP. However, Magalianes advised Ecker that she did not believe she had obtained any privileged information as a result of her work in the Leibowitz matter. DDCP employed Haunani Magalianes in its domestic division until May 26, 2000. Thereafter, Magalianes transferred to DDCP's civil division until approximately April 2001. According to Magalianes, during her employment in DDCP's domestic division, she had three contacts with the Leibowitz case. First, Magalianes took the initial phone call from Deena regarding potential representation by DDCP ( i.e., name, phone number, basic facts, and type of case). Second, Magalianes prepared a short memorandum to attorney Robert P. Dickerson that contained the initial information obtained by Magalianes. Lastly, Magalianes prepared a substitution of attorneys form and a transmittal letter to Deena's former attorney regarding the substitution. DDCP asserts Magalianes also participated in a meeting involving a child custody dispute on May 26, 2000. Magalianes denies participating in this meeting. DDCP's billing records do not reflect Magalianes' attendance at the meeting, although one of the attorneys present filed an affidavit indicating Magalianes was present during a phone call with opposing counsel and at a conference among Deena's counsel after the telephone conversation. The telephone call and conference involved a dispute between Deena and Steven over who would be entitled to have custody during the Memorial Day weekend. As a condition of her employment, and in the course of her employment with ES, Magalianes was screened from any contact with the Leibowitz case. Specifically, Magalianes had no access to actual or computer files and was prohibited from conversing with law firm personnel regarding the Leibowitz matter.