The Dream Team: From left, paralegal Karen Douglas, Craig Moody, Guardian publishers Jean Dibble and Bruce Brugmann, Ralph Alldredge and Rich Hill.
By Tim Redmond
California Lawyer magazine has given the attorneys who represented the Bay Guardian in our predatory-pricing case against SF Weekly a CLAY award, citing the case as one of the most important legal battles of 2008.
The legal team of Ralph Alldredge, Rich Hill and Craig Moody – all solo practitioners – won the coveted award, which reflects the significance of a victory by a local business against a predatory chain.
In what the magazine called “a David and Goliath face-off,” the Guardian sued the Weekly and its chain parent, Village Voice Media, alleging that the big publishing outfit had for years sold ads below cost in an attempt to damage the locally owned competitor.
A jury found unanimously in favor of the Guardian, and awarded us $6.3 million. Judge Marla Miller later raised the damages to $15.6 million. With attorney’s fees and interest, VVM now owes us roughly $20 million. The case is on appeal.
Congrats to Ralph, Rich and Craig, who labored for years on this case, at every moment and every level fighting a bigger and better-financed opponent that went through a string of large and small law firms, seeking someone who could stand up to our team. In the end, the law, the facts and three tough, smart attorneys were on our side, and the SF Weekly just couldn’t compete.
The case is on appeal.