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Indi Guy

(3,992 posts) Mon Dec 1, 2014, 02:19 AM Dec 2014

‘I’m really disappointed': Plaintiff on embattled 9/11 law firm

Source: New York Post

Settlement checks for at least one 9/11 responder represented by the embattled Napoli Bern law firm included deductions for referral fees — money that never made it to the lawyer who made the referral.

“I’m really disappointed,” said the plaintiff, an ex-NYPD cop who wanted to remain anonymous and who has suffered several ailments since working at Ground Zero.

In three checks totaling more than $115,480, Napoli Bern deducted $9,757 in unspecified expenses and then a 25 percent legal fee, totaling $26,430, the retired cop said.

Lawyer Chet Lukaszewski said he referred seven other clients to Napoli Bern and received no compensation, according to court filings. Christopher Lopalo of Napoli Bern told The Post Lukaszewski had no written agreement with the firm and was not entitled to collect anything.

Read more: http://nypost.com/2014/11/30/im-really-disappointed-plaintiff-on-embattled-911-law-firm/

...Ripping off 9/11 victims - how much more depraved does it get?

9 replies

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Highlight:

‘I’m really disappointed': Plaintiff on embattled 9/11 law firm (Original Post) Indi Guy Dec 2014 OP

Lawyers are hated for a reason. PeteSelman Dec 2014 #1

1:100,000 /fixed :-| n/t DeSwiss Dec 2014 #2

Which is just slightly better than politicians, imho. n/t jtuck004 Dec 2014 #4

Lawyers who become politicians are the worst. Archae Dec 2014 #6

25% is actually pretty low treestar Dec 2014 #3

A referral fee? Lawyers get paid to refer? postulater Dec 2014 #5

That was exactly the thought I had. Jackpine Radical Dec 2014 #7

Can they deduct a referral fee and then not pay the referral? I don't think so. OregonBlue Dec 2014 #8

Article is so confusing it hurts my head. Eudaimonic Dec 2014 #9

PeteSelman

(1,508 posts)

1. Lawyers are hated for a reason.

Reply to Indi Guy (Original post)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 04:29 AM

Dec 2014

For every good one there are hundred bloodsucking ambulance chasers.

DeSwiss

(27,137 posts)

2. 1:100,000 /fixed :-| n/t

Reply to PeteSelman (Reply #1)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 04:46 AM

Dec 2014

jtuck004

(15,882 posts)

4. Which is just slightly better than politicians, imho. n/t

Reply to DeSwiss (Reply #2)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 07:18 AM

Dec 2014

Archae

(46,327 posts)

6. Lawyers who become politicians are the worst.

Reply to jtuck004 (Reply #4)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 08:41 AM

Dec 2014

Just look at all the GOP jerks.

treestar

(82,383 posts)

3. 25% is actually pretty low

Reply to Indi Guy (Original post)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 07:11 AM

Dec 2014

and though they should specify the expenses, they normally do come out of the settlement.

postulater

(5,075 posts)

5. A referral fee? Lawyers get paid to refer?

Reply to Indi Guy (Original post)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 07:28 AM

Dec 2014

If a doctor does that it's illegal.

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)

7. That was exactly the thought I had.

Reply to postulater (Reply #5)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 11:20 AM

Dec 2014

And I'm gonna resist all urges to snark about lawyer ethics here.

(Clasps both hands over mouth) Mnmfmmbl…

OregonBlue

(7,754 posts)

8. Can they deduct a referral fee and then not pay the referral? I don't think so.

Reply to Indi Guy (Original post)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 12:31 PM

Dec 2014

Lawyer Chet Lukaszewski said he referred seven other clients to Napoli Bern and received no compensation.

Eudaimonic

(9 posts)

9. Article is so confusing it hurts my head.

Reply to Indi Guy (Original post)

Mon Dec 1, 2014, 12:52 PM

Dec 2014

It says that 26430 was deducted for fees and expenses with 9757 attributable to fees. That would mean the portion going to fees was about 17000, or 15% of the settlement, not 25%.

Also, referral fees are prohibited. A referring attorney can only get paid commensurate to the amount of work they did, AND the sharing agreement must be confirmed in writing with the client.

Why an attorney would cry to the press for not getting a prohibited fee is bewildering.

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