LOS ANGELES - Costco is locked in a civil battle with its former Southern California attorney, who is accused of wrongfully using confidential information he had access to when he was the wholesale retailer's lawyer to now pursue a personal injury case against it.
According to a motion to disqualify filed on March 22 in Los Angeles federal court, Costco along with Keurig are the defendants in a personal injury lawsuit, and Costco argues that the plaintiff's representation, Panish Shea and Boyle LLP, should be disqualified due to a conflict of interest.
The plaintiffs in the injury suit are represented by Daniel Hakhamzadeh, a former attorney for Costco. The attorney should not be allowed to represent a plaintiff against a defendant of whom he has confidential and privileged information, the memorandum in support says.
Hakhamzadeh has refused to withdraw as counsel for the plaintiff, and is accused of falsely saying that he has Costco's permission to represent the plaintiffs.
Costco is represented by McCune and Harber LLP.