The pro-Ripple lawyer has been challenged by California plaintiffs in the ongoing Ripple SEC lawsuit.
The plaintiffs argued in their response that Deaton’s proposed brief was procedurally and substantively improper. According to the plaintiffs, the proposed amici, who include Deaton’s family members and employees, have nothing unique or relevant to offer and simply rehash the defendants’ arguments. Moreover, they claim that Deaton, a self-proclaimed XRP enthusiast, is hardly a neutral party himself who has publicly stated that he is a Ripple shareholder who purchased shares in the company in November 2020.
When deciding whether to allow a non-party to participate as an amicus curiae or not, the court has broad discretion.Deaton filed an amicus brief in a long-running lawsuit against Ripple filed by an investor, Vladi Zakinov.