Lawyer Quote of the Day

“To measure the quality of the lawyer by the hourly rate, that’s not the right way to do it.”  Christopher L. Weiss, Esq., from the law firm of Weiss Esq., Ferro, Labella & Zucker, LLC.

Mr. Weiss said this on June 9, 2010, to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Bergen County, during a hearing over whether to shift legal fees to from the defendant to the plaintiff as a result of plaintiff’s assertion of frivolous claims.  The plaintiff was Ronald Perelman who was represented by  two law firms:  Paul Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Lowenstein Sandler.  Paul Weiss and Lowenstein were sanctioned by the New Jersey Judge for asserting frivolous claims.  And, they deserved it.  According to opposing counsel, Paul Weiss and Lowenstein deceived the court in an effort to advance their client’s claims.   A monetary fine imposed on these firms is not enough, the lawyers should be subjected to disciplinary proceedings and sanctioned with at least a suspension from the Bar.

As for the quote, lawyers know that another lawyer should not be judged his his or her hourly rate, but the problem is that the public does not.  Well, maybe now they will.

Click here to read the transcript – Transcript