FIRM PROFILE
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Lerach, Coughlin, Stoia, Geller, Rudman & Robbins, LLP [By Anique Gonzalez] Lerach, Coughlin, Stoia, Geller, Rudman & Robbins, LLP, is comprised of 180 members located in numerous cities across the United States, including New York and Los Angeles. The firm has several practice areas, including securities, antitrust, insurance, consumer, environment, and public-health class actions. The firm boasts a varied staff that includes attorneys “who left partnerships at other firms or came to Lerach Coughlin from federal, state, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including dozens of former federal prosecutors. Lerach Coughlin also includes more than 25 former federal (circuit and district) and state judicial clerks.” In fact, two of the firm’s most recent arrivals include a former federal judge and a former United States Assistant Attorney.
Recently, the firm has been involved in
Eck, were nominated for the California State
individuals who donate a minimum of 150
several highly publicized class-action
Bar President’s Pro Bono Law Firm of the
hours per year to pro bono cases. The San
lawsuits involving AOL Time Warner
Year award for their participation in Sanchez
Diego office, of which Isaacson, Sweeney,
and the now-infamous Enron. As the
v. County of San Diego.
and Eck are currently members, also
reader will probably recall, in 2001, it was discovered that high-ranking Enron officials were involved in accounting fraud, which eventually forced the company to file for bankruptcy. When investors filed suit against Enron’s directors, Lerach Coughlin served as sole lead counsel, eventually earning a settlement that forced many of Enron’s directors to personally pay for much of the agreement. Lerach Coughlin’s expertise in the class-action arena is exemplified by the fact that the firm has recovered more than $45 billion as a result of such lawsuits. In addition to playing a prominent role in
received the SDVLP 1999 Pro Bono Law Firm
Sanchez v. County of San Diego was filed on behalf of welfare applicants in response to San Diego County’s Project 100%. According to the firm’s website, “Under Project 100%, investigators from the San Diego D.A.’s office, Public Assistance Fraud Division, enter and search the home of every person who applies for welfare benefits, even though there is no suspicion of fraud or wrongdoing […].” While a summary judgment was granted in the county’s favor (an appeal is currently pending), San Diego County did agree to settle claims relating to its violation of state statutes.
well-known and highly lucrative cases,
of the Year award as a result of its work on Badua v. City of San Diego. The case, which involved a woman who sued the City of San Diego as a result of the benefits she received under the city’s long-term disability program, was eventually settled out of court. ON THE NET Lerach, Coughlin, Stoia, Geller, Rudman & Robbins, LLP www.lerachlaw.com Enron www.enron.com/corp
Lerach Coughlin stresses the importance
In addition to their California State Bar
of giving back and helping individuals who
nominations, Isaacson, Sweeney, and Eck
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
do not possess the means to pay for legal
were awarded San Diego Volunteer Lawyer
www.sdvlp.org
services. In 2003, three of the firm’s lawyers,
Program (SDVLP) Distinguished Service
Eric Isaacson, Bonny Sweeney, and Amber
awards. These awards are bestowed upon
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