ROKiT, a former sponsor in the motorsport industry, is currently facing numerous challenges. This company, known for its ability to sell both everything and nothing, has left the world of sport sponsorship in complete chaos. Lately, ROKiT attempted to sue the Williams Formula 1 team for not fulfilling its sponsorship obligations during the shortened 2020 season. However, their initial lawsuit was dismissed in the South Florida District Court, leading them to refile the suit in California due to their lawyer’s lack of jurisdiction.
To provide context, ROKiT claims that it fulfilled its obligations to Williams in 2019. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shorter 2020 season, ROKiT’s CEO, Jonathan Kendrick, requested to renegotiate the terms of their agreement. Subsequently, Williams terminated the deal and later won a lawsuit in the London Court of International Arbitration for unpaid fees. ROKiT argues that Williams violated their contract and should be held accountable for it.
In response, ROKiT filed a lawsuit against Williams in the South Florida District Court, citing the Formula 1’s connection to Miami as the reason. However, this decision posed a problem as ROKiT’s chosen lawyer, Larry Klayman, was not authorized to practice law in that jurisdiction.
According to Motorsport.com, the case was dismissed by Judge Beth Bloom due to Klayman’s inability to practice in the South Florida District Court as a consequence of an unrelated matter. In response to the Williams’ side request for clarification, Judge Bloom stated that Klayman had been suspended and that ROKiT had failed to secure counsel authorized to practice in that jurisdiction.
So, why exactly can’t Klayman practice in the South Florida District Court? Klayman himself explains the situation to Motorsport.com:
“This is a matter which is 15 years old, coming out of the District of Columbia, which is a very toxic place. I took on Obama and it just so happens the judge who dismissed the case is an Obama appointee.”
Klayman will now refile the lawsuit in a California court where he is authorized to practice law.
It’s worth noting that Klayman has objected to his suspension in the South Florida District Court and has formally requested its revocation.
Klayman, known for his right-wing activism, has been labeled an extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center. He has filed around 18 lawsuits against the Clinton Administration and attempted to file suits against Barack Obama, claiming he is not a natural-born U.S. citizen. Klayman has also tried to sue the Bidens, alleging that they influenced YouTube to ban his channel in 2019.
It is also important to mention that Klayman has previously faced suspensions from legal practice. He was suspended for 18 months in Washington DC, and he previously faced a 90-day suspension in Pennsylvania.
Update September 14, 2023 at 7:45 p.m. CT: We have updated the story to clarify that Klayman is in good standing with the state of Florida; it is only in the South Florida District Court where he is suspended. He is formally petitioning that suspension.
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