Joseph Hoats, a California attorney, has been stripped of his ability to practice law following a guilty plea for perjury. He will, however, avoid prison time after lying to a judge about his knowledge of a lawsuit filed in his name. Prosecutors sought a 15-21 month sentence for the crime.
The District of New Jersey has proposed an amendment that, if enacted, would require disclosure when a plaintiff or defendant is utilizing third-party legal funding. The proposed Rule 7.1.1 would require filed statements detailing all information about non-parties providing funding for attorney fees and expenses, in exchange for a percentage of any award.
The New York State Trial Lawyers Association received a donation that has people talking. US Claims, a litigation funder based in Florida, gave $100,000 in a move some speculate is meant to influence government officials seeking to increase regulation.
Thomas Girardi was a famous trial lawyer when he assured devastated clients that he would help them. One such client, Kathy Ruigomez, took the celebrity attorney at his word based on his affectation, and his reputation as illustrated in the film Erin Brockovich.
It’s been asserted that lawyer and reality-show-husband Tom Girardi is currently incapable of active participation in his current legal situation. Documents recently filed assert that the firm Girardi Keese owes Virage SPV more than $10 million. Yet Girardi’s brother maintains that the founder of the firm is suffering from memory loss and requires a guardian ad litem for himself and his firm.
The husband of reality TV star Erika Jayne is being held in civil contempt along with his law firm. A federal judge in a Chicago court made the decision after Thomas Girardi and the Girardi Keese law firm failed to identify the whereabouts of more than $2 million in payments for survivors and family of the Lion Air Flight 610 plane crash.
Tom Girardi, the real-life Erin Brockovich lawyer, and his “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” wife are being sued for embezzlement. They’re accused of misappropriating funds from the Lion Air crash settlement. Rather than giving the money to the victims, the couple is accused of using the funds in service of an “outrageous lifestyle.”
State courts face an array of challenges, only some of which are related to COVID. Budget cuts, ever-growing backlogs, logistical concerns, even constitutional challenges are impacting the legal world in myriad ways. Meanwhile, lawyers, judges, defendants—everyone is looking for ways to get back to some semblance of normalcy.
No one plans for a car accident. By definition, they come as a surprise. When they happen, the result can range from mild inconvenience to life-changing physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If you’re not already well-monied, a car accident loan might be a viable option.
