Racial Quotas For Lawyers In Class Action Suit?
Not only did the ENTIRE Sirius class action settlement of $13 million go to the attorneys supposedly representing the class, for several years, the judge in the case, Judge Baer, has controversially required lawyers for the class to meet racial quotas as a condition of appointment.
Ted Frank, of the Center for Class Action Fairness, is asking the judge to vacate that part of his class certification order on the grounds that it's unconstitutional.
(If not obscene.)
The idea that discrimination is somehow resolved by discriminating is absurd, bizarre, and stupid.
Oh, and this is a trend, by the way -- this scummy deal where the attorneys supposedly representing the class walk away with all the money and the class gets nothing. Sometimes, Ted told me a while back, the judge will give some of the money to his or her favorite charities.
via @andrewmgrossman
Who is surprised by this? Even if the scumbag---err, 'legal professionals' didn't get all of the money, the people who were affected would get a coupon for a couple bucks off.
Now for the 'all the work we do' comments from Ambulance Chasers Ltd.
DrCos at July 21, 2011 4:39 AM
It's strange that a judge can compel plaintiffs to use a lawyer appointed by the court. I doubt that that is constitutional. It abrogates the right to legal representation - you don't really have such a right if the court won't allow you to choose who represents you.
mel at July 21, 2011 8:12 AM
Class action suits are just legalized piracy anyway, especially when the target is politically unpopular. They're just politically favored lawyers and hangers-on being given license to raid a company's treasury. The class members seldom receive anything of more than nominal value.
Future generations will look back at class-action suits the way we look back at witch trials: "Were they evil or just total idiots?"
Cousin Dave at July 21, 2011 5:57 PM
Hypothetical: You are locked in a room with a lawyer, a rapist, and a thief. You have a gun with two bullets. You are required to eliminate the worst people in the room to be released. What do you do?
Answer: Shoot the lawyer -- twice.
Jim P. at July 21, 2011 8:17 PM
Jim P. If you're locked in a room like that, and you shoot the Lawyer, you've also shot the thief. You only needed 2 bullets to clear the room. :)
Robert at July 22, 2011 9:06 AM
In my last notification of a class action, the lawyers got tens of millions and I got a six month extension on my transmission warranty.
On the other hand; my son is buried in a cemetary that was sued in a class action and the lawyer seemed to do a good job at distributing the money fairly including a big chunk to rennovate the place.
Joe at July 22, 2011 12:48 PM
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