Английская Википедия:Girardi & Keese
Шаблон:Short description Шаблон:Infobox law firm
Girardi and Keese or Girardi & Keese was a Los Angeles–based law firm. It was founded in 1965 by lawyers Thomas Girardi and Robert Keese.[1][2] It served clients in California in a variety of legal areas.[3] It was known for representing plaintiffs against major corporations.[2] Chapter 7 Bankruptcy petitions were filed by creditors against the firm in December 2020 and it was defunct by January 2021.
Anderson, et al. v. Pacific Gas & Electric
Шаблон:Main One of the firm's best known cases was against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Residents of the desert community Hinkley, California blamed incidents of cancer and other diseases on contaminated water leaked from a gas pumping station owned and operated by PG&E.[4] The utility company agreed to pay $460 million to 650 residents.[4] This case was the inspiration for the film Erin Brockovich (2000) starring Julia Roberts.Шаблон:Cn
In 2019, PG&E counter-sued the Law Finance Group, which sued partner Thomas Girardi for funds that were borrowed on behalf of clients. The litigation funder's lawyer said the loan agreement states the loan was to Girardi and his firm.[5]
Disbarment and Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Two Chapter 7 involuntary bankruptcy petitions were filed in December 2020, and no one from the firm, including Girardi, appeared before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Barry Russell at the first bankruptcy hearing in January 2021 to "discuss the future of his personal assets and those of his Los Angeles firm, Girardi Keese."[6] In April 2021, it was announced that Tom Girardi's law office will be sold.[7] On June 1, 2022 Thomas Girardi was disbarred and ordered to pay $2,282,507 plus 10% in restitution to clients who never received settlement funds. Girardi was charged with 14 counts of violating ethics rules by the California State Bar.[8][9]
A February 2023 internal investigation conducted on the State Bar of California by an outside firm found that its employees had accepted gifts, travel, meals, and other items of value from Girardi & Keese,[10] influencing the State Bar to block complaints against the law firm. The Bar disclosed that, across four decades, during which it had received 205 complaints against Girardi, the Bar had taken no action against the attorney, and had dismissed all cases.[11][12]
References
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ 2,0 2,1 Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ 4,0 4,1 Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ "At 1st Bankruptcy Hearing, Embattled Attorney Tom Girardi Is a No-Show", by Amanda Bronstad, The Recorder, January 5, 2021.
- ↑ “ Tom Girardi's Law Office Will Be Sold Soon, as His Home Goes on the Market, Trustee Tells Court”, by Amanda Bronstad, The Recorder, April 27, 2021.
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
