Sanctions Properly Awarded Against Attorney Who Violated Order Precluding Him From Asking Certain Questions.

The court specifically instructed attorney Daniel Callahan not to inquire into a particular area. Callahan ignored the order and the court imposed $1,500 sanctions under Code of Civil Procedure section 177.5, for knowingly violating a court order. The Court of Appeal affirmed.  If Callahan had not understood the court’s order, as he claimed, he should have sought clarification. Scott C. Moody, Inc. v. Staar Surgical Co. (Cal. App. Fourth Dist., Div. 3; May 23, 2011) 195 Cal.App.4th 1043, [128 Cal.Rptr.3d 89].