Law firms dispute sharing of $12 million fee award in class action. Bench verdict for defense.

Summary

Business law firm suggests a class action and class representative to plaintiffs' class-action firm; expects split of $12 million fee award, but defendants say they cannot ethically pay it.

The Case

The Attorneys

  • Attorney for the Plaintiff:

    Enterprise Counsel Group by David A. Robinson, Benjamin P. Pugh, and
    Matthew Rosene, Irvine. (For Barnes, Crosby, Fitzgerald and Zeman, hereinafter BCFZ.)

  • Attorney for the Defendant:

    Cheong, Denove, Rowell & Bennett by John F. Denove, Los Angeles. (For  Ringler, Kearney & Alvarez, LLP, hereinafter RKA and Jerome Ringler.)

    Law Offices of Michael J. Zuckerman by Michael J. Zuckerman, Glendale.  (For Thomas Kearney and Paul Alvarez.)

    Lindahl Beck, LLP by George M. Lindahl, Los Angeles. (For McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, hereinafter M&M, Patrick McNicholas and Matthew McNicholas.)