Panther v. Mazzarella
This appeal is the latest chapter in a series of cases in which plaintiff/cross-defendant James P. Panther seeks legal malpractice damages from several of his former attorneys, individually and as law firms, for alleged lost opportunities stemming from the disappointing outcome of certain underlying actions concerning a real estate development project which never came to fruition. (E.g., Panther v. Park (July 16, 2003, D038066 [nonpub. opn.]) (our prior opinion); Panther v. Micheli (May 15, 2007, D048047 [nonpub. opn.]) (our prior Micheli opinion).)
In this case, the trial court granted a motion for summary adjudication filed on behalf of defendants/cross-complainants Mark Mazzarella and Mazzarella, Dunwoody & Caldarelli, LLP (sometimes collectively "MDC") as to the first and second causes of action in Panther's fourth amended complaint ("FAC"). A related ruling was also issued concerning an affirmative defense in Panther's answer to MDC's cross-complaint, and some cross-complaint issues remained for trial. However, summary judgment was entered for the individual defendant Mark Mazzarella only and plaintiff appeals. Court affirm the summary judgment and adjudication.
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