A rare intriguing piece from ESPN, detailing how sick former players are now falling victim to their own attorneys as the legal system crawls along and a debilitating pace.
Some tidbits:
The $1 billion NFL concussion settlement -- nearly six years in the making yet still to deliver a penny to former players and their families for brain injuries stemming from football -- is revealing the underbelly of the legal system to former players and their families.
As they finally close in on being compensated for brain injuries stemming from football, those former players and their families have been facing an onslaught of issues -- from attorney retainer fees that could reach as high as 40 percent to lawyers poaching clients from competing attorneys; from a slew of opportunists seeking a piece of the pie to lawyers effectively threatening to sue former players to ensure they get their fees. |
"This case has done nothing but show lawyers at their worst," said lawyer Jason Luckasevic, a Pittsburgh attorney who filed the first concussion-related case against the NFL in 2011 and represents about 500 former players.
Said another attorney, who spoke to Outside the Lines only on the condition of anonymity: "It's a feeding frenzy right now. It's dirty out there, and I don't like it. I have to shower twice a day." |
| A virtual cottage industry of opportunist lawyers, doctors, predatory lenders and other professionals has cropped up. The lead counsel in the case has sought injunctions against at least two companies, asking the judge to punish them for using "false and misleading" tactics to try to gain business. |
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I hated lawyers then and now, generally, can't stomach them even more.
It goes without saying that you should never paint a group of people with a broad brush, but what is going on here is abhorant. It turns my stomach.
it seems that the profession either breeds assholes or attracts them in the first instance.
I don't know which, but the end result is the same.
That series nailed it.
I hated lawyers then and now, generally, can't stomach them even more.
It goes without saying that you should never paint a group of people with a broad brush, but what is going on here is abhorant. It turns my stomach.
it seems that the profession either breeds assholes or attracts them in the first instance.
I don't know which, but the end result is the same.
I think like anything else, if a profession's environment allows filth to thrive and take advantage, the sheer numbers suggest someone will. I wouldn't indite lawyers as a whole as you said, but simply the lawsuit system. Same as you, I don't really have an answer to the problem.
Not disagreeing, but playing devil's advocate. Their job is to protect their clients interests. If they just hand over the money, their clients likely won't be happy and in the event of another case coming at them, they certainly won't turn to that lawyer/law firm.
Like I said above, I think the profession has the capacity to turn good people into monsters. We're all out for our self-interests.
Most likely in these scenarios though is just that there is a hold up in the settlement. Banging out the precise terms/mechanisms, answering the judge's questions, reforming the settlement if the judge has a problem, dealing with objecting class members (including appeals) etc.
There are people who will say or do anything for money. This cuts across all lines, including lawyers. Its just that you should expect more integrity from a lawyer, than from a guy selling teflon pots and pans on tv. Lawyers are, after all, officers of the court and they know it.
I sometimes joke that 98% of the lawyers give the other 2% a bad name, but it sure seems like it.
Rant over.
There are people who will say or do anything for money. This cuts across all lines, including lawyers. Its just that you should expect more integrity from a lawyer, than from a guy selling teflon pots and pans on tv. Lawyers are, after all, officers of the court and they know it.
I sometimes joke that 98% of the lawyers give the other 2% a bad name, but it sure seems like it.
Rant over.
I agree but that is because I haven't advertised in about 7 years and spend more time trying to find bigger firms that will do a competent job for my bigger clients. I blame the old-firm mentality for turning every new crop of young lawyers towards their baser instincts.
Off topic, but I just want to say that from your post, it seems you made an extraordinary career change later in your life. Congratulations. IMO, takes a lot of courage.