Two prominent Dechert partners who defended 3M in a trial over its dual-ended earplugs have asked an appeals court to reverse monetary sanctions against them.

(L-R)Jay Bhimani and Kimberly Branscome, partners at Dechert. Courtesy photos

Kimberly Branscome and Jay Bhimani, both in Los Angeles, filed an opening brief Thursday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, insisting that U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers of the Northern District of Florida violated their due process rights when she sanctioned them after closing arguments. At issue was what they called a “vague” instruction about what portions of a study could be allowed into trial.