A predecessor to the global megafirm Dentons this week convinced a New York state appeals court to toss a $7.5 million malpractice claim brought by companies affiliated with handbag and jewelry designer V. Bruce Hoeksema.

The court ruled Thursday that Hoeksema and several companies with his initials “VBH” in their names could not hold Dentons predecessor Salans liable for damages that allegedly flowed from a temporary restraining order that forced VBH to shutter its stores for a few months in 2011 and 2012.