Judge rips plaintiffs' attorneys and verdict

A Sarasota judge took an unusual stand in a civil case that involved alleged stolen trade secrets, and in a doing so sent a message to attorneys: No frivolous lawsuits in my courtroom.
Sarasota County Circuit Court Judge Peter Dubensky, in a March 17 ruling, overturned a jury's decision that had awarded $3.3 million to the plaintiffs. Dubensky, among other points, cited “bait and switch tactics” designed to confuse jurors and “impermissible closing arguments” used by plaintiffs' attorneys that led the jury to make an incorrect decision. Dubensky, in turn, granted a motion from the defendants for a directed verdict — which invalidates the jury's decision.