Schult
A motion to be admitted pro hac vice has been granted in a suit against S.C. Johnson & Son, allowing an out-of-state attorney to represent the corporate defendant in Texas.
As previously reported, Courtney Harris filed suit against S.C. Johnson & Son on Sept. 6 in Jefferson County District Court, alleging a Glade scented candle started a house fire.
Court records show S.C. Johnson attorney James R. Old Jr. of the Beaumont law firm Germer Gertz filed the pro have vice motion on April 9, requesting that Missouri attorney Thomas Schult be admitted in the case.
Pro hac vice is a legal term referring to a lawyer who has not been admitted to practice in a certain jurisdiction.
Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, granted the motion on April 20, court records show.
Schult is an attorney for the Williams Shaw & Eisenbrandt law firm.
According to the lawsuit, the candle was advertised as safe with the promise it would enhance a home, enticing Harris to purchase the scented candle.
"Instead, the candle was unreasonably dangerous, and it flared and/or malfunctioned, causing the house to catch on fire," the suit states. "The home sustained substantial property damage and plaintiff sustained bodily injury as a result."
Harris is suing for her medical expenses and mental anguish, plus actual damages.
Beaumont attorney John Morgan represents the plaintiff.
Case No. A190-852