A Southern California attorney is facing possible sanctions after sending opposing counsel more than 100 emails—many laced with profanity and discriminatory epithets—demanding a nine-figure settlement on behalf of his clients suing Allstate Insurance Co. in a home insurance coverage dispute. 

U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II of the Central District of California this week asked Culver City plaintiffs attorney Christopher Hook to show why he shouldn't be sanctioned and the case tossed in light of his actions. 

Allstate's attorneys at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton last week asked for terminating sanctions and a restraining order barring Hook from getting within 100 feet of the offices or homes of Allstate and its lawyers. They attached examples of Hook's emails to a declaration from partner Peter Klee made in support of their motion in filings that were first reported by Above the Law.