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Civil Litigation,
California Courts of Appeal

Mar. 1, 2021

Court of Appeal ruling muddies the waters on punitive damages

Every lawyer is always interested in guidance about punitive damages, but unfortunately the 2nd District Court of Appeal has muddied the standard for an award of punitive damages against a corporate defendant.

Timothy D. Reuben

Founder and President of Reuben Raucher & Blum and the Founder of Reuben Mediation

Email: treuben@rrbattorneys.com

Timothy D. Reuben is a mediator, litigator and author who focuses on resolving complex civil disputes in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and mediation. He is also the author of "Tequila, a Story of Success, Love & Violence," a legal novel inspired by real world legal practice that explores power, loyalty and the human dynamics that drive conflict.

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Every lawyer is always interested in guidance about punitive damages, but unfortunately in Morgan v. J-M Manufacturing Company, 2021 DJDAR 1643 (2021), Division 1 of the 2nd District Court of Appeal has muddied the standard for an award of punitive damages against a corporate defendant. In that case, Justice