Labaton Sucharow - The $403 An Hour Temps

"Dear Tom,

There was a hearing on Monday November 15, 2010 before a federal judge regarding the payment of attorney fees to Labaton Sucharow in the infamous Countrywide project. Please see the article below regarding Labatoilet's use of 119 'short-term attorneys,' better known as temps. We worked directly for this sheister in sweatshop conditions for a measly $32 an hour, with no time and a half and no medical or any kind of regular employee benefits. Now, Labatoilet apparently expects Judge Pfaelzer to approve paying them $403 per hour for our document review services. And of course Labatoilet gets a paid opinion from some bozo mediator named Diamond that states it is 'an extremely reasonable rate.' Well, it does not seem reasonable to me that you pay somebody $32 an hour and then turn around and charge $403 for that person's work. I wonder if the NYS pension funds and Judge Pfaelzer consider this a fair margin of profit.

If you think this is egregious billing and wish to make your feelings known, here is the contact information for the judge: According to the court's website, The best way to contact the judge's courtroom deputy clerk is by calling 213-894-5286; if the clerk does not answer the phone, be sure to leave a voice-mail message.

Hon. Mariana R. Pfaelzer
Court Clerk: Cynthia Salyer
Al Courtroom No.: 12
Telephone: 213-894-5286"

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202473741442

"Clutch Legal" Sleazy Outsourcing Outfit Cancels Another Project

Watch out for these guys. Projects fall through with them ALL the time. Their modus operandi seems to be that they set up sweatshops in India and have American contract attorneys serve as "back ups" in the initial set up stage. Smart solutions, no borders, indeed.

"It is with great disappointment and sincere apologies that I report to you that the Greenberg Taurig project is canceled. The case just settled this evening.

I am truly sorry for all the chaos and frustration surrounding this project. I had no idea the client was in settlement talks, so this is as much a surprise to me as it must be to you.

Thank you in advance for your understanding. My colleague Suzanne and I think very highly of you all, and I will make sure to keep you in mind and posted on all future assignments.

Please confirm you have received this email."