Disbarment recommended for Tom Girardi, lawyer whose law firm was portrayed in 'Erin Brockovich' movie
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A California bar court judge has recommended the disbarment of lawyer Tom Girardi, whose estranged wife is Erika Girardi of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reality TV show.
Girardi did not respond to the ethics charges, said State Bar of California Judge Yvette Roland in her Jan. 10 order.
Law.com and Bloomberg Law have coverage.
The State Bar of California had accused Girardi of failing to pay settlement funds to clients in three separate matters, including $2 million owed to clients who lost loved ones in the in October 2018 crash of Indonesia’s Lion Air Flight 610.
A federal judge froze the assets of Girardi and his law firm, Girardi Keese, in December after a lawsuit accused Girardi of keeping money intended to benefit Lion Air clients. The suit alleged that Girardi embezzled settlement money to support his celebrity lifestyle.
A conservator was named for Girardi last year after testimony that he had Alzheimer’s disease.
Girardi Keese was portrayed in the film Erin Brockovich as helping win a $333 million settlement in a case concerning contaminated drinking water.
Roland’s opinion recommended that Girardi pay more than $2.2 million in restitution.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Hunt for Girardi Keese assets leads to some unusual recoveries and Erika Girardi appeal”
ABAJournal.com: “‘Real Housewives’ lawyer had close ties to some state bar officials, never faced ethics charges despite accusations”
ABAJournal.com: “Lawyer with reality star wife will have to produce net worth documents in misappropriation suit”
ABAJournal.com: “Afternoon Briefs: Google hit with third antitrust suit; more troubles for Girardi Keese”
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