Vinci Brands LLC v. Coach Services, Inc.

Background

This order concerns two captioned actions: Vinci Brands LLC v. Coach Services, Inc., No. 23 Civ. 5138 (LGS), and Kate Spade LLC, et al. v. Vinci Brands LLC, et al., No. 23 Civ. 5409 (LGS). The court also identified a third related action, Coach IP Holdings, LLC v. ACS Group Acquisition LLC, No. 23 Civ. 10612 (LGS). All three matters included claims against Case-Mate, Inc. concerning Case-Mate’s replacement of Vinci Brands LLC as licensee for certain Coach and Kate Spade products. The court said the matters involved substantially similar parties and legal issues.

On May 9, 2024, attorneys from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP appeared for Case-Mate in all three related litigations. The court noted that extensive litigation had occurred, including 365 docket entries in the first captioned action and 267 in the second. Fact discovery was scheduled to close on June 6, 2024.

Reason for the Order

The court cited 28 U.S.C. § 455(a), which requires a judge to step aside when the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned. The court also cited the Code of Conduct for United States Judges. It determined that Debevoise & Plimpton’s continued appearance would require the court to recuse itself, and stated that the firm’s disqualifying circumstance was known or should have been known when the firm was retained.

Disposition

The court ordered Debevoise & Plimpton LLP to withdraw its appearance in the matters. It directed the Clerk of Court to strike the appearances of the firm’s individual attorneys as counsel of record for Case-Mate. The order addressed counsel and judicial recusal; it did not resolve the underlying claims or defenses.