State High Court: $48K Sanction Unwarranted for Client Who Was Represented by Experienced Counsel
“Kovach was represented by an experienced attorney who carefully and independently vetted Kovach’s allegations and claims before determining she had a viable cause of action against respondents,” the court said in its per curiam opinion Wednesday. “Although Rule 11 allows for the possibility of sanctions against a client, it primarily speaks in terms of an attorney’s professional responsibilities. Rule 11 is not intended to be used as a weapon against a client represented by counsel, whose job it is to be knowledgeable of the law and advise a lay client on the best course of action.”