Even Arbitrations Are Not Safe from the Prejudgment Remedy
April 12, 2024, 2:37 PM
We previously wrote about the surprising power of the Connecticut Prejudgment Remedy (PJR) statute, which allows litigants to seek an order to attach or garnish property from another party in cases where there is probable cause that the applicant will win a judgment. C.G.S. § 52-278. Another large PJR issued Tuesday shows yet again the exceptional breadth of the PJR, which can be available to litigants even for out-of-state proceedings, and even for arbitration.
In Tow v. Frontier Communications Parent Inc., No. FST-CV23-5028717-S, Judge Adams of the Connecticut Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk granted a motion for a prejudgment remedy of over $21 million. The plaintiff, Tow, is the former CEO of Citizens Communications Co., now known as Frontier Communications Parent Inc. Tow claims that Frontier owes him tax reimbursements and “gross up payments" on several whole life insurance policies that Frontier ceased paying in 2022.
The separation agreement between the parties contains forum and law selection clauses that require Tow to bring his claims before the American Arbitration Association in New York City. Nevertheless, Judge Krumeich, also of the Stamford District, denied Frontier's motion to dismiss the Connecticut proceeding in October 2023 because a proceeding may be brought solely to seek a PJR between two Connecticut parties even if the underlying claim is brought in an arbitration out of state. The Connecticut Supreme Court rejected without comment Frontier's appeal of Judge Krumeich's decision.
Connecticut-based litigants should consider whether they or their adversaries are able to seek a PJR in a separate Connecticut proceeding, regardless of the forum of the underlying proceedings.
Judge Adams rubbished Frontier's attempt to steer the dispute fully into a New York-based American Arbitration Association proceeding, ruling Connecticut law provides an escape hatch for prejudgment remedy to be heard in state court even though arbitration is a preferred method for resolving disputes in the Constitution State.

To subscribe to our publications, click here.
News & Insights
News & Insights
SABA North America Annual Conference 2025
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
NJSBA Annual Meeting and Convention 2025
Speaking Engagement
Intellectual Property
Hartford HealthCare Black and Red Gala 2025
Sponsorship
Antitrust
Informa CompLaw Antitrust West Coast Conference 2025
Speaking Engagement
Antitrust
AHLA Health Care Transactions Program 2025
Sponsorship
Antitrust
IAM Live: Auto IP USA 2025
Speaking Engagement
Intellectual Property
ACI 21st Annual Paragraph IV Conference
Speaking Engagement
Intellectual Property
Managing Partner Jeny Maier Appears on Capitol Forum's ABA Spring 2025 Interview Series
Video
Antitrust
Federal Circuit Holds Generic’s Hatch-Waxman Litigation Expenses Deductible
Axinn Viewpoints
Intellectual Property
Axinn Associates at the Antitrust Spring Meeting: Enforcers’ Roundtable
Axinn Viewpoints
Antitrust