We normally don’t write stories about corrupt cops. But when the cop is a lead investigator in the Israeli Tax Authority and the Israeli Police, we take notice. When we learn that he allegedly targeted the victims of cases he was assigned, we really take notice. The Times of Israel reported earlier this summer that […]
Stoel Rives Hit With Legal Malpractice Verdict
Jurors in Park City, Utah found prominent West Coast law firm Stoel Rives guilty of legal malpractice in a botched real estate development deal. The firm must now pay their former client $12.8 million in damages. The suit also named one of the firm’s top real estate and construction law partners, Thomas Ellison. According to […]
PA Supreme Court Refuses To Dismiss $500 Million Legal Malpractice Suit
Earlier this week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court refused to dismiss a $500 million legal malpractice case against AmLaw 100 firm, K&L Gates. That decision paves the way for the case to head to trial. The firm was sued years ago by a bankruptcy trustee on behalf of Le-Nature, Inc. The company filed for bankruptcy after […]
State Approves Payments To Legal Malpractice Victims
by Brian Mahany While everyone makes mistakes from time to time (including attorneys), civilized society has no room for thieves. This is especially true for lawyers who take an oath of office to uphold justice. Earlier today, the Wisconsin Lawyers’ Fund For Client Protection Committee announced that 17 victims were receiving checks from the state […]
Grant Thornton Accountant Arrested For $4 Million Theft – accounting malpractice post
by Brian Mahany The press releases from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan yesterday did not reflect well on either the legal or accounting professions. In one case, a New Jersey lawyer was convicted in federal court of an investment fraud scheme. In the other, a former partner and CPA from accounting giant Grant Thornton […]
Two Law Firms Accused Of Assisting Ponzi Scheme (Legal Malpractice Post)
[Updated August 2019] As an attorney, I am required to take an oath to support the Constitution and to never counsel or support any action that appears unjust. It is unfortunate that much of society views lawyers as nothing more than “hired guns.” Sometimes we are even called “whores.” Despite how we may be labeled […]
The Dark Side Of The Legal Profession (Ethics and Legal Malpractice)
by Brian Mahany A shocking 78-page complaint filed in a San Francisco federal court last week opens a rare window into the inner workings of some law firms. Like that old adage about watching sausage being made, the plaintiff does not paint a pretty picture. From excessive billing practices to conflicts of interest and false […]
Noted Law Firm Sued For Legal Malpractice
by Brian Mahany I haven’t moved to Texas yet but I do read the Texas Lawyer. Last month they reported on a lawsuit against legal giant Baker Botts. The estate of a Houston man says the firm made an estate planning error that cost the man’s heirs over $1 million. The suit claims that back […]
Isn't She The Tax Cheating Judge?
by Brian Mahany A report today from the Detroit News indicates that Justice Department officials have charged Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway with bank fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit claims that Justice Hathaway and her husband hid assets in order to get ING to accept a short sale on their home. According […]
It's All About Personal Responsibility
by Brian Mahany During the last year our little boutique tax and fraud practice has grown from 2 lawyers to 9 with offices in 4 states and another in San Francisco opening soon. While on a plane yesterday I was asked why we are growing so fast. After reading today’s newspaper, I realized that our […]