also alleges that Judge Edward V. Torack had attempted to pressure the new law firm, Hook, Smith & Meyer and its partners, into an agreement under which he would have had a continuing improper control over law firm operations, and a continuing source of income based on a percentage of the gross fees received by the firm. Among the things he demanded were: control over the status of an associate, control over which attorney would handle his former clients' business, free legal services for his family and friends, control over his former secretaries and their compensation, etc.
11. When I, along with my new partners, refused to accept these demands, the relationship between Edward V. Torack and me, A. Edward Hook, and Gordon Meyer deteriorated, eventually resulting in thelitigation which he initiated. This relationship has, to the best of my knowledge, not changed. The litigation was settled through mediation.
[(Internal citations omitted; bold portion in original).]
The recusal motion in this case was heard and denied by Judge Torack on December 6, 2006. In denying the motion, the judge noted that he had already decided the issue on at least two prior occasions, and that he was relying upon the reasons expressed in his written decision in Mizrahi v. Cannon. The judge provided counsel with copies of that decision. In his June 26, 2007, decision after trial in this case, the judge noted that the December 6, 2006, trial date "had already been scheduled by the Court" when Smith entered the case and that "Mr. Smith entered the