Document: 472 U.S. 424 105 S.Ct. 2757 86 L.Ed.2d 340 RICHARDSON-MERRELL, INC., Petitionerv.Anne Elisabeth KOLLER, etc., et al. No. 84-127. Argued Feb. 26, 1985. Decided June 17, Syllabus Respondent Anne Koller was born without normal arms or legs. She filed suit in Federal District Court, alleging that during pregnancy her mother had taken an antinausea drug manufactured by petitioner and this caused respondent's birth defects. initially represented Miami Washington law firms, but a Los Angeles firm later took the lead trial preparation. Before trial, Court disqualified revoked appearances of two its attorneys because misconduct. appealed disqualification to Appeals, which stayed all proceedings pending outcome appeal. The Appeals thereafter held 28 U.S.C. § 1291—which grants courts appeals jurisdiction from "final decisions district courts," except where direct appeal lies Court—confers over interlocutory orders disqualifying counsel civil case. then question invalid. Held: Orders case are not collateral subject immediate as judgments" within meaning 1291, hence lacked entertain Pp. 429-441. (a) To fall "collateral order" exception judgment" rule, order must "conclusively determine disputed question," "resolve important issue completely separate merits action," "be effectively unreviewable on final judgment." Coopers & Lybrand v. Livesay, 437 463, 468, 98 2454, 2458, 57 351. 429-432. (b) One purpose rule embodied 1291 is avoid delay inherently accompanies time-consuming appeals. When appellate court accepts counsel, practical effect until decided. A attorney's personal desire for vindication does constitute independent justification appeal, but, matter professional ethics, decision should turn entirely client's interest. Nor use motions harass opposing order, since implicit Congress' judgment judge has primary responsibility police litigants' prejudgment tactics. possibility ruling may be erroneous impose additional litigation expense sufficient set aside finality requirement. 433-436. (c) Civil do meet requirements exception. If prejudice prerequisite reversal following propriety can reviewed reversal, sufficiently qualify Flanagan United States, 465 259, 104 1051, 79 288. Even apart Flanagan's analysis, often inextricable litigation. 436-440. 237 U.S.App.D.C. 333, 737 F.2d 1038, vacated remanded. Lawrence E. Walsh, Oklahoma City, Okl., petitioner. Michael H. Gottesman, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice O'CONNOR delivered opinion Court. 1 Last Term, 288 (1984), unanimously pretrial criminal cases under 1291. In case, Columbia Circuit confers 1038 (1984). Because we conclude reverse. 2 * (hereafter respondent) legs hospital 1979. States Columbia, Richardson-Merrell, Inc., liable complaint alleged mother, Cynthia Koller, Bendectin early stages pregnancy, Koller's injuries. Petitioner manufacturer Bendectin. 3 Cohen Kokus, firm, local Washington. As discovery progressed into 1981, however, Butler, Jefferson, Dan Allis, James G. Butler entered appearance pro hac vice respondent January 1981; his partner Nicholas Allis admitted October 19, 1982. neared 1983, record included at least eight lawyers firms. 4 On December 22, 1982, Allis' secretary, Krystyna Janowski, twice called offices Davis, Polk Wardwell, Richardson-Merrell's attorneys. Janowski left messages indicating fraudulent crucial weeks pregnancy. App. 19-20. subsequently regretted actions, 26 she told paralegal investigators Richardson-Merrell been attempting persuade sign statement fraudulent. 5 next day, went see first secretary visiting child, secretary's apartment. During second visit, accompanied private investigator who surreptitiously taped conversation concealed tape recorder. presented typed "[a]t no time did I ever hear anyone else say take Bendectin." Id., 26-27. signed statement. 28, received copy letter Wardwell sent recounted Janowski's telephone calls, informed engaged requested hearing. 21-22. responded with own court. story Allis. obtained attached. 23-25. subsequent matter, recanted 6 While were struggling these unusual revelations, they also preparing imminent trial. hearing scheduled commence 31, immediately upon conclusion issued excluding evidence related children defects like those respondent. ruled it would "grant plaintiffs license submit whose only demonstrable relationship have suffered superficially similar." 60-61. submitted Food Drug Administration "Drug Experience Reports" prepared firm. reports described number mothers Bendectin, including covered Court's 17. accompanying letter, urged FDA off market. copies reporter Post. 7 admit any more than one year after involved. 84-91. 14 fell category. Post interviewed invitation. 341. discussed materials he FDA. February 7, already jury pool panel likely drawn, published lengthy article discussing Reports excluded evidence. 8 wake events, postponed allowed further concerning allegations. moved disqualify their ground After 4-day evidentiary whether improperly statement, Judge requiring show cause why disqualified. identified "alleged incidents misconduct" possible grounds disqualification: Butler's release information effort "prejudice jury" "bring inadmissible before pool," obtaining "without regard truth" protect firm's financial interest thwart investigation. 246-248. 9 opposed defended conduct testimony Nevertheless, 6, 1984, found attempted "to true investigation witness" media "was calculated defendant's circumvent prior rulings." Pet. Cert. 77a-78a. Noting other could provide competent representation, admissions 80a. 10 Circuit, appeal.1 339. pursuant merits, invalid reinstated. We granted certiorari review Appeals' jurisdictional well disqualification. 469 915, 290, 83 226 II 11 Title statutory requirement decision" means "a party ordinarily raise claims error single merits." Firestone Tire Rubber Co. Risjord, 449 368, 374, 101 669, 673, 66 571 (1981). noted Firestone, promotes efficient judicial administration while same emphasizing deference owe judge's many questions fact arise judgment. Ibid.; U.S., 263-264, S.Ct., 1054. Immediate every ruling, permitting prompt correction decisions, unreasonable disruption, delay, expense. It undermine ability judges supervise Congress expressed preference some rulings go uncorrected judgment, rather having punctuated "piecemeal terminate litigation." Hollywood Motor Car Co., 458 263, 265, 102 S.Ct 3081, 3082, 73 754 (1982). 12 An There indeed stay imposed assures there none proceedings. Section accordingly provides if rule. Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 541, 546, 69 1221, 1225, 93 L.Ed. 1528 (1949), recognized "small class" "finally right separable from, to, rights asserted action, [and are] too denied itself require consideration deferred whole adjudicated." 13 doctrine "narrow exception," supra, reach limited affecting will irretrievably lost absence See Helstoski Meanor, 442 500, 506-508, 99 2445, 2448-2449, 61 30 (1979); Abney 431 651, 660-662, 97 2034, 2040-2042, 52 651 (1977). exception, minimum satisfy three conditions: 351 (1978). Our recent strictly applied test when parties pursued counsel. denying motion assumed deciding such resolves thus meets part test. 376, 674. refused permit reviewable MARSHALL's observed: 15 "An refusing plainly falls large class much smaller not. court's denial difficult assess impact underlying evaluated, normally attorney turns particular factual situation hand, embodying rarely, ever, represent rejection claim fundamental cannot 377, 675 (emphasis added). 16 expressly open granting 372, n. 8, 672, 8. 17 decided issues Firestone. defense appealable unanimous emphasized strong both society speedy resolution cases. This counsels application "utmost strictness." 1055. standards enunciated concluded 18 Since decided, Courts divided appealability Compare Gibbs Paluk, 742 181, 184 (CA5 1984), (rejecting reliance ) Kahle Oppenheimer 748 (CA6 1984) needed witness), Banque de Rive, S.A. Highland Beach Development 758 559 (CA11 1985) (distinguishing accepting 1291); Interco Systems, Inc. Omni Corporate Services, 733 253, 255 (CA2 (same); Panduit Corp. All Plastics Manufacturing 744 1564 (CA Fed.1984) (same). resolve conflict. III 19 below allowing rests primarily lines reasoning. First, identifies policy considerations suggest even though Second, attempts distinguish A. 20 At four articulated course opinion. suggests societal adjudication disputes weaker cases, "extraordinary limits doctrine" context carried U.S.App.D.C., 345-346, F.2d, 1050-1051. reasons "disruption unhappily foreseeable byproducts injudicious motions," disruption "would exacerbated appealable." 359, 1064. Third, concludes available vindicate choice "the attorneys, correcting what finding misconduct." 348-349, 1053-1054. notes "[i]n event satisfied verdict substitute whatsoever vindicating interests Ibid. Finally, expresses concern opponents become prevalent years. "To insulate counsel," concluded, stakes dangerous game." 346, 1051. 21 find arguments persuasive. Although anathema undesirable disputes, recognized. Flanagan, 264, review. fails stay, intrepid proceed alternate being examined Appeals. 22 results "injudicious proper order. Most ultimately affirmed courts. C. Wright, Miller, Cooper, Practice Procedure 3907, p. 433 (1976). Given decision, rulings, correct otherwise. sure, leads delay. Alternate retained. participated litigation, need gain knowledge But correct, unavoidable. think resulting occasionally outweighs result piecemeal 23 decline view misconduct pursuing coincide client. ABA Model Rules Professional Conduct 1.7(b), 2.1 (1985). neither nor relevant dispositive. Moreover, precluding necessarily leave client remedy. seek certified 1292(b), . and, exceptional circumstances designed, writ mandamus might available." 378-379, 13, 675-676, 13. Alternatively, obtains unsatisfactory challenged reputation egregiously injured able obtain relief Judicial Council 332(d)(1).2 24 share about "tactical motions" believe "dangerous game" constitutes attorney. Implicit tactics litigants, better exercise repeatedly intervene second-guess rulings. Cf. 1225 ("Appeal gives upper power review, intervention"). Like referee, make mistakes. mistaken imposes hardship lawyer Congress. Lybrand, 476, 2462, 28; Will 389 90, 98, 88 269, 275, 305 (1967). "If reason swallow rule." Lusardi Xerox 747 174, 178 (CA3 1984). looks possibly affected protected inquiry now turn. B 25 either third parts test: showing "completely separate" assessed entered; required, 267-269, 1055-1057. Apart discussion, analysis inapplicable context. required cases: "Only combined conceivably outright 347, 1052. incapable merits. because: 27 "[I]t appear virtually impossible substitution another. reviewing draw extensive body effective assistance step determining counsel's performance prejudiced so reversal. context, starting point; sixth amendment involved, help evaluate overturned quality representation." (footnote omitted). finally (1) resulted disqualification; (2) "presents adequate basis proper"; (3) "validity" depend Sixth Amendment 347-348, 1052-1053. 29 efforts unavailing. extent, conundrum making. never today decide question. note difficulties proving reverse relies overcome 2458. Yet reversing implicitly unpersuaded analysis. that, establishing violation one's requires prejudice, violating condition coverage exception: 'effectively judgment.' " 268, Absent 31 likewise reject suggestion enough rely Flanagan. nature representation "[it] violated absent specifically demonstrated prejudice," ibid., "final," tried. Only assessing prejudiced. receive provide, fail. For inextricably tied up 32 action." asserts proper." 348, 1053. rejected reduce case-by-case determination 473-475, 2460-2461. testify example, involve assessment Appellate entwined well. hinges "likely infect future proceedings," 351, 1056, content standard met. exhaustively discusses relevance instances zealous pursuit claim, court, danger act complete impartiality proceedings." light factors, class, IV 33 acknowledge significant litigants. Particularly troubling, tempt assert words Adams: 34 seem us disservice litigants general idea justice succumb enticing suggestions abandon deeply-held distaste instance temptation. close dispute attract deep lead, eventually, lack principled perhaps ultimate devitalization enacted Congress." Bachowski Usery, 545 363, 373-374 1976). 35 "transform carved out broad disregard 1291." 378, 675. 36 hold reached 379, 676. address certiorari, intimate decision. 37 vacated, remanded instructions dismiss want jurisdiction. 38 ordered. 39 POWELL 40 BRENNAN, concurring. 41 premise adversary system individuals retain qualified. not, individual all, regardless qualifications, him continue threatened integrity Nonetheless, adequately qualified otherwise acted justify disqualification, permission choice. 42 tactical attorney-misconduct deeply disturbing phenomenon modern mistakenly disqualifies party's abusive motion, essence permits opponent dictate recognized, serious tension premises our system, 352, 1057 remedy therefore error. automatic instead simply stringent 43 holds plaintiff undergo burdens permitted points out, accord (1981), Today's somewhat different Respondent's attempt substantially compelling "right" misbehaved. And here implicate public disposition trials influenced litigant's willing necessary verdicts—even today's give pause considering improper grant jeopardize favor. understanding develop judgments each choice, join 44 STEVENS, dissenting. 45 Everyone agree freedom choose right. merits.1 46 my opinion, control charges—an shared prosecutor defendant—is present extent motivate borderline case.2 chosen defendant reversal; "effective" 47 similarly entry Prejudice advocate moment granted. held, most reluctant subscribe outcome. demonstrate change myriad variables Both substantive disqualifications based actions separate"3 am persuaded fits squarely classic formulation order: 48 "This appears small (1949). 49 addressed remained five confident various problem bench bar accuracy distant perspective. 50 here, explanation law. 349-359, 1054-1064 Accordingly, affirm response cause, suggested certify them 1292(b). 253. apparently certification 4, 1984. sole established Councils exist erroneous, re Charge Misconduct, 613 768 (CA9 1980), administrative 595 517 1979). Complaint A.H. Robins JCP 84-001 (CA8 Council, Dec. (noting conducted hearings, briefs, heard oral accused misconduct, dismissed moot Gardiner 1180 1984)). (1978) (matters "effectively reviewable" appeal). 1051 (1984) (while counsel" recently "[w]e aware comparable cases").

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