In re Kugel Patch

Opinion

Supreme Court

No. 2020-285-Appeal.

(PC 08-9999)

In re Kugel Patch. :

ORDER

This matter came before the Court on the appeal by Steven M. Johnson and the Law Offices of Steven M. Johnson, P.C., d/b/a The Johnson Law Firm (collectively, Johnson), from a Superior Court order denying their motion to stay proceedings pending resolution of two arbitrations in the State of Texas. The underlying dispute concerns the entitlement to, and disbursement of, $1 million in attorneys’ fees between Johnson and Attorney John Deaton, both of whom represented numerous claimants in personal-injury lawsuits against the manufacturer of a hernia repair product.

Counsel for Johnson and Deaton have recently advised the Court that “the Texas litigation has concluded and no additional proceedings are pending in Texas courts.” Thus, the issues raised in the appeal pending before the Court have seemingly been rendered moot.

2

Accordingly, the Court enters the following order:

1. This case shall be closed and the papers remanded to the Superior Court.

Entered as an Order of this Court this day of December, 2024.

By Order,

____________________________

Clerk

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

SUPREME COURT – CLERK’S OFFICE Licht Judicial Complex

250 Benefit Street

Providence, RI 02903

ORDER COVER SHEET

Title of Case In re Kugel Patch.

No. 2020-285-Appeal.

Case Number (PC 08-9999)

Date Order Filed December 19, 2024

Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and Justices Long, JJ

Source of Appeal Providence County Superior Court

Judicial Officer from Lower Court Presiding Justice Alice Bridget Gibney For Plaintiff:

Lauren E. Jones, Esq.

Attorney(s) on Appeal For Defendants:

Michael Daly, Esq.

SU-CMS-02B (revised November 2022)