Quinn Emanuel Disqualified from Masimo Board Fight with Founder

Law firm blocked from representing medical tech company in founder's lawsuit

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:18pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life featuring a gavel, a law book, and a nameplate with the words A legal battle over corporate governance and conflicts of interest exposes the complexities of dual representation in high-stakes business disputes.Los Angeles Today

A California state court judge has disqualified the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP from representing Masimo Corp. directors in one of several lawsuits between the medical technology company and its founder, Joe Kiani. The judge granted Kiani's motion to block Quinn Emanuel from the case, ruling that Masimo's board failed to obtain Kiani's informed consent for the firm's dual representation.

Why it matters

This disqualification is a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Masimo and its founder, highlighting the complexities and potential conflicts of interest that can arise when a law firm represents both a company and its key stakeholders in related disputes.

The details

Orange County Superior Court Judge Thomas J. Lo ruled that Quinn Emanuel, a prominent Los Angeles-based law firm, cannot continue to represent Masimo's directors in Kiani's employment lawsuit against the company. The judge determined that Masimo's board had failed to properly obtain Kiani's informed consent for Quinn Emanuel's dual representation of the company and its founder in previous litigation involving hedge fund Politan Capital Management LP.

  • The ruling was issued on March 30, 2026.

The players

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP

A prominent Los Angeles-based law firm that had previously represented both Masimo Corp. and its founder, Joe Kiani, in related litigation.

Joe Kiani

The founder and chairman of Masimo Corp., a medical technology company, who is suing the company in an employment lawsuit.

Thomas J. Lo

The Orange County Superior Court judge who granted Kiani's motion to disqualify Quinn Emanuel from representing Masimo's directors in the lawsuit.

Masimo Corp.

A medical technology company that is engaged in a legal battle with its founder, Joe Kiani.

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What they’re saying

“Masimo's board failed to show that they obtained Kiani's informed consent for Quinn Emanuel's dual representation.”

— Judge Thomas J. Lo, Orange County Superior Court Judge

What’s next

The judge's decision means that Masimo will need to find new legal counsel to represent its directors in the ongoing lawsuit with its founder, Joe Kiani.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of carefully managing conflicts of interest and obtaining proper consent when a law firm represents multiple parties with potentially competing interests in related legal disputes. The disqualification of a prominent law firm like Quinn Emanuel underscores the complexities that can arise in corporate governance battles.