Accused Of Being Unethical In Lawsuit, Law Firm Plans Response On Social Media

// Yesterday, the employment law boutique law firm, Wigdor Law, was sued in New York state court. The firm was accused by the plaintiff, billionaire Leon Black, of malicious prosecution of a civil claim. Wigdor represents Black’s former mistress, Guzel Ganieva, who accused Black of abusing her during their relationship. The firm filed a lawsuit on Ganieva’s behalf against Black, but that was ultimately dismissed, due to a non-disclosure agreement.

That lawsuit Black faced is the basis of the new lawsuit he filed against Wigdor. According to reports, the complaint alleges that the firm pursued the allegations against Black “even after it knew the allegations were demonstrably false” and “threaten[ed] to file baseless, unsubstantiated lawsuits if he did not kowtow to Wigdor’s exorbitant demands.”

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-top-300x250" ); });

The complaint goes on to detail “Wigdor History of Questionable Ethics”:

Sponsored Survey Results: A Perspective On The Private Markets Ontra surveyed over 400 private markets professionals about what to expect this year and their legal process pain points. From Kerry G. Benn, Ontra  

According to the complaint, “[Wigdor] has a unique business model: it threatens to sue defendants with scandalous allegations that can be avoided only at the cost of a large settlement, of which Wigdor takes a substantial cut.”

In this lawsuit, Black is represented by Quinn Emanuel and partner Michael Carlinsky.

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-middle-300x250" ); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-storycontent-440x100" ); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-in-story-youtube-1x1" ); });

Wigdor has denied the allegations in what one might characterize as a traditional manner, with partner Jeanne Christensen saying the lawsuit is “frivolous” and “meant to scare and warn other women, and lawyers who may represent them.” Adding, “Sadly, there are always lawyers willing to file such nonsense when someone like Leon Black is paying the hourly rates.”

But the firm has also taken to social media to fight the fight.

Sponsored Sponsored Survey Results: A Perspective On The Private Markets Ontra surveyed over 400 private markets professionals about what to expect this year and their legal process pain points. From Kerry G. Benn, Ontra   Sponsored The Digital Transformation Imperative Private funds’ in-house and external legal teams are stretched thin by growing legal demands. Firms need digital transformation to thrive. From Troy Pospisil, Ontra CEO   Sponsored Is Biglaw Asleep At The Cybersecurity Wheel? Help us benchmark the industry — and get a chance at a $250 gift card! From Above the Law   Sponsored Documenting Secured Transactions: A New Guide For Practitioners A newly updated PLI treatise provides both the legal framework and practical guidance on documenting secured transactions, including important details about 2022 amendments to the UCC. From Practising Law Institute  

As detailed on their Twitter/X account, they’ve indicated they’re in possession of communications from Carlinsky that indicate a positive working relationship, quite different than you’d expect since he called the firm out on their “questionable ethics.”

Entertaining that @quinnemanuel partner Mike Carlinsky would sign a complaint alleging “Wigdor History of Questionable Ethics” when we have emails and other communications from him asking Wigdor for personal favors #CarlinskyBlackEpstein #anythingformoney #questionableethics

— WigdorLaw (@WigdorLaw) August 15, 2023

And they continue.

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-bottom-300x250" ); });

Sounds like Carlinsky and @quinnemanuel have been bought off by Leon Black, the same guy who secretly paid $62.5mm to USVI and $158mm to Epstein and is now under Senate investigation. #CarlinskyBlackEpstein #anythingformoney #questionableethics

— WigdorLaw (@WigdorLaw) August 15, 2023

Indeed, the firm says, “Starting tomorrow and continuing daily we will be rolling out these emails. Stay tuned.”

Sponsored Sponsored Documenting Secured Transactions: A New Guide For Practitioners A newly updated PLI treatise provides both the legal framework and practical guidance on documenting secured transactions, including important details about 2022 amendments to the UCC. From Practising Law Institute   Sponsored LawPay Pro Offers Upgraded Time And Billing Essentials AffiniPay’s latest product for the legal community, introduced earlier this year, presents a simple web-based solution for attorneys seeking seamless firm cash flow. From Above the Law  

Well, we’re intrigued and will definitely have to watch to see how the story develops.

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].

Topics

Biglaw, Boutique Firms, Leon Black, Quinn Emanuel, Wigdor Law LLP