In the wake of Thomas Girardi’s recent conviction, attention has shifted to the other attorneys from the now-defunct Girardi Keese law firm. Girardi’s conviction brought to light his extensive misappropriation of client funds, triggering the firm’s downfall in 2020. The legal community is now scrutinizing the actions of several former Girardi Keese lawyers who were involved in the firm’s most critical cases during its final days.
Recent revelations indicate that four former lawyers have received target letters. During Girardi’s trial in Los Angeles, testimony from his secretary revealed that a clandestine meeting took place in a parking garage. This meeting was allegedly organized by Robert Finnerty, a former Girardi Keese attorney, who was lobbying to transfer some of the firm’s most valuable cases, including the profitable Porter Ranch matters, to his new firm, Abir Cohen Treyzon Salo (ACTS). Details of this meeting can be found in the Bloomberg Law report.
Documents suggest that ACTS and Girardi Keese struck an undisclosed agreement to facilitate the transfer of these lucrative cases. This case serves as a stark reminder of the due diligence required when navigating the complexities of legal ethics in high-stakes legal practice. Further information on the broader implications for the legal sector can be accessed through Bloomberg Law’s detailed coverage here.