US to indict members of "public interest law firm" : Milberg Weiss LLP

[FogerRox]

U.S. Readies Case Against Tort Lawyers

By JOSH GERSTEIN - Staff Reporter of the Sun
February 24, 2006

Federal prosecutors have told two partners at a leading New York class-action law firm to prepare to be indicted on charges stemming from an investigation into alleged illegal payments to plaintiffs in securities lawsuits, a lawyer involved in the case said yesterday.

>snip<

Mr. Hayes said he believes that one factor fueling the investigation may be the business community's deep-seated enmity toward Milberg Weiss, which is one of the best-known and most feared class-action firms in America.

"What makes me uncomfortable is the fact that all of the big corporations hate these guys. Sometimes their lawsuits are meritless but a lot of the time, they're not," Mr. Hayes said. "It appears they're stretching to make a case where the politicians who appoint these U.S. attorneys want to lock these guys up. The case is a stretch."


>snip<

An indictment of the Milberg Weiss firm could jeopardize its viability, regardless of whether the government ultimately wins a plea or conviction. "They do so much work that requires them to be appointed as lead counsel acting in the public interest by a court. It would be a mess," a lawyer for Mr. Selzer, David Weichert, said.

Whole story--

http://www.nysun.com/article/28103?page_no=1

Milberg Weiss in the news:

Milberg Weiss Announces Conditional US$2.4 Billion Settlement of Nortel Securities Class Action; Client OPTrust Issues Press Release

Milberg Weiss Partner David J. Bershad Comments on Nortel Settlement

Milberg Weiss Announces Legal Fellowship at the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy

Milberg Weiss Obtains Preliminary Approval for $225 Million Settlement of KPMG Tax Shelter Case

Milberg Weiss named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List"

Humana Inc. Settles Lawsuit with Physicians

Court Certifies Class of Annuity Purchasers in Securities Fraud Action Against Pacific Life

Milberg Weiss Announce Aid To Those Impacted By Hurricane Katrina

Milberg Weiss, Counsel for Whistleblower Dr. Kiki Sarafoglou, Announces Settlement of Claim Brought Pursuant to the Federal False Claims Act Initiated by Dr. Sarafoglou for $4.3 Million

Milberg Weiss Obtains $90 Million Settlement in Royal Dutch Shell ERISA Litigation; One of the Largest Settlements in ERISA History, Amount Reflects an Impressive 78% Recovery

Wellpoint Settles Lawsuits with Physicians and Medical Societies

Los Angeles Daily Journal Presents Top 30 Securities Litigators in California Featuring Jeff Westerman, Managing Partner of Milberg Weiss's Los Angeles Office

Health Net Inc. and Prudential Insurance Company of America Settle Suits With Physicians

The Medical Society of the State of New York, Physicians and Excellus Enter Into Settlement Agreement

Raytheon Securities Litigation Settles for $460 Million; Milberg Weiss Is Lead Counsel for Lead Plaintiff New York State Retirement Fund.

from-

http://www.milbergweiss.com/newsevents/newsevents.aspx

Pro Bono work:

04/14/04 Trial Lawyers Care
In conjunction with Trial Lawyers Care, Milberg Weiss assisted the families of victims of the September 11th attacks. Our lawyers helped families to file claims with the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund. To date, 2,924 death claims have been filed with the fund, and more than 4,300 claims for injuries relating to the attacks or the aftermath.



12/09/03 September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (Preliminary Hearing)

12/01/03 The Legal Aid Society
Since December 2003, Patricia M. Hynes has served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society. Milberg Weiss associates were the top contributors to the Society's 2003 Associates Campaign, for law firms with 16-49 associates. In March 2005, Ms. Hynes and Milberg Weiss each received an award from the Society recognizing their outstanding pro bono efforts in accomplishing the restructuring.

Debt Deal Lets Legal Aid Society Stay in Business
Legal Aid Restructures, Avoids Bankruptcy; Projects Balanced Budget After Concessions From Unions, Creditors



11/01/00 Swiss Banks
Milberg Weiss filed this class action suit on behalf of victims of Nazi persecution against several Swiss banks for their collaboration with the Nazis including retaining accounts and laundering illegal assets. The case settled in 1998 for $1.25 billion and the money is now being distributed among several categories of survivors who suffered as a result of Swiss wrongdoings. Senior Partner Melvyn Weiss was designated as one of the signatories to the Settlement Fund.

07/01/00 Slave Labor
Milberg Weiss filed a series of class action suits against German companies who had exploited slave and forced labor during World War II. After very long and contentious negotiations between the parties, German, US and Israeli governments, as well as international Jewish organizations, a framework agreement of an approximately $5 billion settlement was reached. The settlement is now funding several programs including slave labor and medical experimentation compensation, insurance and assets claims, as well as educational programs.

from-
http://www.milbergweiss.com/firm/probono.aspx?pageid=5140&pubtype=5304

[FogerRox]

1. kick for the big story

[ThomCat]

2. I don't trust the Sun. GOP-Rag

I'd look out for other sources.

But once the face of it, this looks devastating. Targetting the law firms that actually hold companies accountable. Yet one more way to get away with anything.

[FogerRox]

3. which is why I went to the law firms site---

[FogerRox]

4. kick for the 5:15pm crowd

[Neil Lisst]

5. doesn't surprise me at all

all part of the duplicity of the way law applies differently to the two sides of the docket

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. Milberg Weiss terrifies the corporatists

I worked in corporate law. the mere mention of MW send shivers down the spines of litigation partners everywhere. Seriously.

[FogerRox]

7. Thats the impression I get from the firms web site--

they take on the good fights.

[FogerRox]

8. I have reposted here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2480600&mesg_id=2480600

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

9. Typical GOP rovian strategy. Totally typical.

In AZ the son of the candidate (Pederson) running against Kyl was arrested for drugs with a small amount of drugs.

Sheriff Joe at your service, a devotee of the shrub.

I can't wait to go on vacation and hear NO news for a week or so.

[Castilleja]

10. Kick

hmmm.....

[Marie26]

11. So they're going after public interest lawyers now?

I guess it makes sense for such a pro-business Admin. to try to shut down Plaintiff's attorneys.