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Civil Procedure

May 13, 2026

Remote deposition coaching texts trigger rare tentative terminating sanctions

An Alameda County judge issued a rare tentative terminating sanctions ruling after plaintiffs' attorneys uncovered defense counsel allegedly coaching witnesses by text message during remote depositions in a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Remote deposition coaching texts trigger rare tentative terminating sanctions
From left: founding partner Steven I. Azizi, junior partner Caitlyn Handy, and founding partner Justin Hanassab. Courtesy of Miracle Mile Law Group

Miracle Mile Law Group obtained a tentative terminating sanctions ruling against the defense and an $84,420 payment for costs in an Alameda County Superior Court wrongful firing case after the plaintiffs' attorneys discovered opposing counsel was coaching witnesses by text during remote depositions.

The case settled after a tentative ruling by Judge Jamilah A. Jefferson found that lead defense attorney Jessica Shafer's conduct during sworn testimony in Joe Joven v. Dre...

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