2 Karen Gillen, N0. 018008
Michelle H. Ganz, N0. 023651
3 Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., N0. 00504800
2415 East Camelback Road, Suite 800
4 Phoenix, Arizona 85016
5 Telephone: (602) 778-3700
[email protected]
6 karen. illen o letreedeakinscom
7 michelle. anz 0 letreedeal
9
10 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
8 rr DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
Q 12 Marcela Johnson, No. CV04-0790-PI-IX-JWS
E §`$ . .
5 E 5 § 13 Plarntrft] CHARLES SCHWAB & COMPANY, j
Ei 5 § E 14 INC.’S MOTION IN LIMINE TO Q
Q Q § § VS- PRECLUDE PLAINTIFF FROM
E I5 Ch 1 S h b C t. rnrzsnurrno nvrorzncr,
3 .5 e 16 at °S C Wa °’1°°“"°“= ARGUMENT, on TESTIMONY i I
§ Defendant RELATED TO ALLEGED AILMENTS
"‘ 17 ` FOLLOWING HER TERMINATION
lg (Oral Argument Requested)
19
20 Defendant, Charles Schwab & Company, Inc. ("Schwab"), respectfully moves in
21 limine for an order precluding plaintiff Marcela Johnson ("plaintiff"), from introducing
22 at trial any anecdotal evidence, testimony, or argument relating, referring, or pertaining to
23 stress, headaches, stomach aches, sleeplessness, and acne plaintiff claims she suffered
following her termination. This evidence should be excluded at trial because it is
24
25 irrelevant. Moreover, even if it were relevant, it should be excluded because its probative
value, if any, would be substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair rejudice. This
26 P ,
27 Motion is supported by the following Memorandum of Points and Authorities and the
28 Court’s record.
Case 2:04-cv-00790-EHC Document 130 Filed O3/31/2006 Page 1 of 4
1 MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
2 Schwab believes that plaintiff may attempt to introduce evidence that following
3 her termination from Schwab she experienced stress, headaches, stomach aches,
4 sleeplessness, and acne. This evidence, however, is not relevant to plaintiffs case and
5 should not be admitted.
6 According to plaintiff these alleged conditions only arise when there is activity in
7 this lawsuit, and are the sole basis for her claim for emotional distress damages. Plaintiff
8 however, cannot recover emotional distress damages caused by this litigation, and
9 therefore, the conditions from which she suffers, if any, are not relevant. Knussrnan v.
10 State ofMaryland, 272 F.3d 625,641-42 (4th Cir. 2001) (claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983); j
§ ll Clark v. United States, 660 F. Supp. 1164, 1200 (W.D. Wash. 1987), aj§"d, 856 F.2d 1443
g 12 (9th Cir. 1988) (litigation is a matter of choice and damages arising from it are not
E § 13 recoverable); Blakey v. Continental Airlines, Inc., 992 F. Supp. 731, 736, n.3 (D. N.], 5
i § E § 14 1998) (sexual harass1nent claim); see also Stoleson v. United States, 708 F.2d 1217, 1223
15 (7th Cir. 1983) (emotional distress caused by litigation not actionable). Hoflanal v.
8 in 5 EL 16 Airport Go@â€Clab, 105 P.3d 1079, 1089 (Wy. 2005) ("any [emotional] distress caused by
S 17 the litigation, itself is not actionable" in plaintiffs case alleging sexual harassment).
18 Even if plaintiffs alleged ailments were relevant, which they are not, any
19 relevance is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Presentation of
20 evidence relating to these ailments is a ploy for sympathy from the jury. lf the jury views
21 plaintiff as experiencing these symptoms they may attempt to attribute them to Schwab,
22 even though there is no evidence showing a causal link.
23 Conclusion
24 Presentation of evidence regarding plaintiffs alleged ailments is not relevant.
25 Moreover, even if relevant, the introduction of such evidence will unfairly prejudice
26 Schwab, and should be excluded.
Case 2:04-cv-00790-EHC Document 130 2 Filed O3/31/2006 Page 2 of4
1 R13S1>13CT1¤ULLY SUBMITTED this 3 lst day of March 2006.
2 ooLeTR13E, DEAKINS, NASH,
3 SMOAK&STEwARLPC.
4
5 .
By: sfKaren Gillen
6 Joseph T. Clees
Karen Gillen
7 Michelle H. Ganz
8 2415 East Camelback Road, Suite 800
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
9 Attorneys for Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
10
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Case 2:04-cv-00790-EHC Document 130 3 Filed O3/31/2006 Page 3 of 4
1 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
2 I hereby certify that on the 3 lst day of March 2006, l electronically transmitted the
3 foregoing document to the Clerk’s office using the CM/ECP System for filing and
4 transmittal of a Notice of Electronic Filing to the following CM/ECP registrants:
5 Dawn C. Valdivia, Esq.
6 Quarles Brady Streich Lang, LLP
Two North Central Avenue f
7 Phoenix, Arizona 85004 5
8 Attorneys for Plaintiff Marcela Johnson Q
9
s/ Debra A. Irwin I
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