Legal Industry News
9th Circuit Suspends Top Plaintiffs Lawyer for 6 Months
July 19, 2010
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has suspended California plaintiffs’ attorney Walter Lack from practicing before the 9th Circuit for six months due to filing fraudulent appellate briefs. More...
O’Melveny Sues MGA for $10.2M in Unpaid Legal Bills
July 15, 2010
In 2004, MGA Entertainment, maker of the popular Bratz dolls, hired O’Melveny & Myers to defend it in a copyright infringement case brought against MGA by Mattel, maker of Barbie dolls. More...
"See No Evil, Hear No Evil” Not a Valid Defense for Law Firm Accused of Aiding & Abetting Securities Fraud
July 7, 2010
A New York appeals court has held that a law firm’s “see no evil, hear no evil” claim can’t shield it from allegations that it aided and abetted securities fraud in an investor suit. More...
SEC to Pay $775K Wrongful Termination Settlement to Fired Attorney
July 2, 2010
The Securities and Exchange Commission is paying a settlement of $775,000 to settle a wrongful termination whistleblower action filed by a former SEC attorney. More...
Gucci Communications with Unlicensed Attorney Are Discoverable, Not Privileged
July 1, 2010
Attorney Jonathan Moss worked for Gucci America, Inc. from 2002 to 2010, receiving three promotions within the company’s legal department, ultimately landing the title of vice president and director of legal and real estate. More...
Texas Attorney & Wife Accused of Stealing from Mentally Incompetent Vets
June 30, 2010
Houston attorney Joe Phillips and his wife, Dorothy, who managed her husband’s law office, appeared in federal court in Texas yesterday, accused of stealing more than $2 million from veterans. More...
Calif. Probate Attorney Pleads Guilty to Embezzling from Clients’ Estates
May 27, 2010
Pasadena, Calif. probate attorney Oscar Cruz Parra, 67, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $500,000 from his clients’ estates. More...
Disbarment Recommended for Attorney Who Billed Fake Clients
May 26, 2010
Kenneth Denti manufactured fake billings for non-existent clients at not one, but two law firms in which he was a partner, submitting fake time sheets for about two and a half years that reflected more than $350,000 in fees. More...
Lawyers Suspended for Failure to Catch Former Partner’s Fraud
May 24, 2010
Former New York attorney Anthony Bellettieri stole from client trust accounts, committing fraud to the tune of about $17 million; he’s been disbarred and is serving a prison sentence. More...
NJ Attorney Faces Ethical & Criminal Charges for Cursing at Another Lawyer
May 21, 2010
On Feb. 20, New Jersey attorney Richard Shackleton took part in a live pigeon shoot at the Philadelphia Gun Club in Pennsylvania; animal advocacy group SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) was protesting outside the club at the time. More...
