In a noteworthy judgment that resonates within the corridors of the legal profession, Lockheed Martin, the major American aerospace, defense, and security company, has been awarded more than $93,000 in attorney fees by a Minnesota federal judge. This hefty sum was part of a ruling surrounding a now-dismissed retaliation lawsuit brought against Lockheed by a former in-house attorney.
The judge’s ruling followed some reductions factored in to account for redundancies. The lawsuit against Lockheed was ultimately dismissed when it came to light that the former attorney had been dishonest during a deposition last year.
Such a judgment highlights how untruthfulness within the court process can lead not only to a dismissal, but also inflict a financial cost. Legal professionals and corporations around the world might pay heed to such rulings as they could potentially set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
For a more detailed account of this case and its proceedings, visit Law360.