Shapiro & Fishman Squares Off with Fla. AG, Calls Law Firm Foreclosure Probe an Abuse of Gov't Power
One of three so-called “foreclosure mill” law firms under investigation by the Florida attorney general has returned fire, calling his probe an abuse of government power.
Attorney Gerald Richman of Richman Greer, who is defending the law firm that is the subject of the probe, Shapiro & Fishman, says in a press release that the AG’s probe “intentionally or recklessly has caused harm to a law firm acting in the best interests of its clients,” reports the Tampa Tribune.
The Shapiro firm today asked a Palm Beach County judge to quash an investigative subpoena, saying that the advertising and marketing material it seeks exceed the proper scope of the investigation that the AG has jurisdiction to conduct. In its motion, the firm also argues that the subpoena is barred by the Fourth Amendment and that the material sought to be discovered is protected by attorney-client, litigation and work-product privilege.
Richman also suggested that the AG should be focusing on questionable tactics used by law firms in defending mortgage foreclosure cases.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “JPMorgan Chase Freezes Foreclosures in 56,000 Cases; Will More Banks Follow Suit?”
ABAJournal.com: “‘Foreclosure Mill’ Law Firms Under Pressure from Lawmakers”
ABAJournal.com: “Fla. AG Probe: Did 3 Law Firms Get 1,000s of Foreclosure Judgments By Possible Wrongdoing?”
ABAJournal.com: “‘Like Hamsters in a Cage’: Foreclosure Firm Cut Corners to Make Money, Story Says”
