Antognoli
Attorney David Antognoli has bowed out of a misconduct suit brought against Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. by the owners of a Highland Dairy.
Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla granted Antognoli's request to withdraw from representing Michael and Denise Richter June 3.
Antognoli asked to withdraw from the case, citing a "divergence of views" that had developed between him and the Richters.
The Richters are suing Prairie Farms for allegedly terminating a milk marketing agreement between it and the Richters' dairy, Rich-Lane Farms.
The plaintiffs allege that Prairie Farms "acted in a manner illegal and oppressive" to them after the plaintiffs expended money improving their dairy in order to live up to the terms of a milk marketing agreement.
According to Hylla's June 3 order, the plaintiffs are to obtain new counsel within 21 days of the order.
Hylla stayed all of the discovery deadlines in the case until the Richters' new attorney enters his or her appearance in the case.
The judge also set the suit for a case management conference July 27 at 9:30 a.m.
A move filed by Prairie Farms that would compel production or bar the plaintiffs from using certain information at trial remains pending in the case.
Donald Schoemaker, Laura Hayden and others represent Prairie Farms.
The case is Madison case number 06-L-892.