In a recent development, the head of Blank Rome’s Boston office, Josef Volman, finds himself ensnared in a legal and ethical quagmire. A federal lawsuit has been filed by Orbian Corporation, a supply chain operations financier, in which Volman is accused of conspiring with the company’s former general counsel, James Houston, to secure an undeserved payout. The complaint alleges that Volman used his influence as Orbian’s attorney to persuade the company to agree to a payment arrangement benefiting Houston, who was terminated due to alleged misconduct. This arrangement ultimately resulted in Houston receiving a financial package worth approximately $800,000, a sum Orbian claims was unjustified.
Volman’s move to Blank Rome also made headlines earlier, as he led a group of 25 lawyers from the financially struggling law firm Burns & Levinson to his new firm. This mass exodus marks a significant shift in personnel and underscores the tumultuous environment Volman has navigated in recent months. While Blank Rome has yet to issue an official statement regarding these accusations, the allegations cast a shadow over Volman’s leadership at the firm’s Boston office.
For further details, you can view the legal documentation pertaining to the case filed in Boston.
Ethical conduct and fiduciary responsibility remain critical issues for law firms city-wide and across the globe, making this lawsuit a significant topic of discussion among legal professionals. The resolution of this case might set precedent concerning attorneys’ roles in client negotiations and the ethical implications of their advisory positions.