Ex-Tobacco Lawyer Hire May Still Burn Plaintiff’s Firm

A Florida trial court will take a new look at whether a personal injury firm is barred from suing Philip Morris because the firm briefly hired an associate who represented the tobacco giant.

A Florida appeals court told the trial court to focus on specific conflicts rules to see if there was evidence of a conflict, or if the conflict was “cured” when the firm fired the lateral hire lawyer who had represented Philip Morris.

Former Hunton & Williams associate Paulo Lima litigated for Philip Morris USA, Inc. for 10 years. His work there included “progeny” cases of Engle, ...