Bigelow v. Old Dominion Copper Mining and Smelting Co.
United States Supreme Court
225 U.S. 111 (1912)
- Written by Steven Pacht, JD
Facts
Albert Bigelow (defendant) and Lewisohn were organizers or promoters of Old Dominion Copper Mining and Smelting Company (Old Dominion) (plaintiff). Believing that Bigelow and Lewisohn improperly profited at Old Dominion’s expense in the sale of company property, Old Dominion filed substantively identical suits against Bigelow in Massachusetts (where Bigelow lived) and Lewisohn in New York (where Lewisohn lived). Old Dominion won a $2 million judgment against Bigelow in Massachusetts. However, Lewisohn prevailed against Old Dominion in the New York litigation. Bigelow then filed a supplemental answer in Massachusetts, in which Bigelow asked the Massachusetts court to rule in his favor based on Lewisohn’s victory against the same allegations in New York. The lower court declined to permit Bigelow to benefit from the New York decision, citing the fact that Bigelow was not a party to the New York litigation or in privity with a party to the New York litigation. Bigelow appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Lurton, J.)
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