One Former Bill Lerach Law Firm Scarcely Misses a Step

In a recent discussion of leading plaintiffs firms filing class actions related to the subprime mortgage crisis, what Wall Street Journal Law Blog described as "San Diego-based plaintiffs powerhouse Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins" received prominent mention.

Not mentioned at all in the post was the firm's former name partner, William Lerach, who was sentenced this week to two years in prison for his role in an illegal scheme to pay kickbacks to lead plaintiffs in securities class actions. It also allegedly involved a well-known plaintiffs securities firm at which Lerach was formerly a partner, Milberg Weiss, which has been named as a defendant in the case but maintains its innocence.

"Interestingly, it's Lerach's old law firm, Milberg Weiss, which has suffered the most from his indictment and conviction. His new firm, Coughlin Stoia (no Lerach there any more), seems to be going as strong as ever," writes a columnist in Portfolio magazine.

Prior coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Lerach Gets 2 Years in Claimed Milberg Weiss Kickbacks Case"

ABAJournal.com: "Lerach Ponders Planned Trip to Club Fed"

ABA Journal: "Milberg Weiss on the Hot Seat"