Law Practice,
Ethics/Professional Responsibility,
Civil Litigation
Mar. 5, 2021
Disgorgement, sanctions, contempt fines for ex-class counsel in LA water case
Despite San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney Michael J. Libman arguing his civil rights were being violated and that a conspiracy had been perpetrated against him, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elihu M. Berle found the removed class counsel had not only engaged in a scheme with the city's outside attorneys, Paul Paradis and Paul Kiesel, to defraud the court but attempted to cover it up.
LOS ANGELES -- A judge disciplined the former class counsel in a massive water misbilling lawsuit Thursday, clawing back at least $1.65 million in attorney fees, issuing evidentiary, terminating, discovery, and monetary sanctions totaling more than $116,000, and $44,000 in contempt of court fines, for allegedly perpetrating fraud on the court and attempting to cover up a collusion with city attorneys to file a sham lawsuit.
Despi...
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