Spratley v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.
Utah Supreme Court
78 P.3d 603 (2003)

- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
Richard Spratley and Brett Pearce (plaintiffs) represented State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm) (defendant) as well as its insureds. Spratley and Pearce resigned and took with them certain documents that State Farm claimed were confidential. Spratley and Pearce sued State Farm, claiming that State Farm required them to violate their ethical obligations as lawyers. At trial, Spratley and Pearce sought to use the documents they took from State Farm as evidence. State Farm objected. The trial court ruled in State Farm’s favor on this issue and prohibited Spratley and Pearce from using the documents and other confidential company information at trial. Spratley and Pearce appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Wilkins, J.)
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