Lawyers Create Big Paydays by Coaxing Attorneys General to Sue

the swap for
imprisoned in
Helped
Detec
that Presiden
Late Edition
Today, sun with someWednesday.
clouds, chilly,
Imprisone
high 40. Tonight, mostly clear,
low
30. Tomorrow, some sunshine
giv- Obama
Mr.
ing way to increasing clouds, high
OPPORTUNITY IN HAVANA With relations thawing, American companies
are
38. Weather map is on Page
A30. hopin
Sarraff’s
nam
This article is by M
rent
andS.form
MERIDITH
$2.50
VOL. CLXIV . . . No. 56,720
NEW YORK, FRIDAY, DECEMBER
19, 2014 KOHUT FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
ti, Michael
Sc
cials
identified
Frances
Robles.
American companies are hoping to develop new markets in Cuba. Page B1.
some of the —in
Crucial Spy in Cuba Paid
WASHINGTON
many
ways,
a perfe
to
the
C.I.A.
w
A Heavy Cold War
Price
man
so
important
to
inside Cuba’s
ligence apparatus th
telligence.
Helped Detect Agents in the U.S.,
but Was
mation
he gave to the
“I’m
in the
telligence
pa
Imprisoned for Almost Two Decades
Mr.Agency
Sarraff
COURTING FAVOR
ception
desk,”
long after Cuban
in ahim
spy vs.aus
By ERIC LIPTON
This article is by Mark Mazzet- and his work rested
for the C.I.A.
still and threw
plied,
signingStt
ti,
Michael
S.
Schmidt
and
classified.
The
United
trialPitch
lawyersFrances
and
lobRobles.corporate The
“I’m in the lobby, near By
theERIC
re- LIPTON
spy games
between
the
on the
for
nearly
two deca
urgency casual
WASHINGTON — When they
WASHINGTON — He was, in two countries lost theirThe
Rolando
Sarraff
played
on lon
after
the
fall
of
the
Soviet
Union,
R
ception desk,” Mr. King later re- byists to influence
many ways, athese
perfect spy officials.
— a
the spies have stuck to their
so important
tofurious
Cuba’s intel- but
met at the J. W. Marriott
Hotel ration that hasman
now
been
released
change
betwe
WASHINGTON
set
off
a
competition
befor more thanthe
two decades:
Cold
Wa
ligence
that the infor- roles
plied, signing the message “GK.” sheMuch
as with
bigapparatus
industries
have
pilfering
documents,
breakingout of Cub
and
flown
mation he him
gave to thewere
Central In- numshared
two
blocks
from
the
White
House,
hen they met at the J. W. Marriott Hotween trial lawyers
andpaidcorporate
lobbyists
to
crats,
which
enticing
government
telligence Agency
dividends codes and
Cuba
ceased
foundon
natural
Republican
thetheir
swap
The casual nature of the ex- bers
countries.for three C
longallies
after Cubanin
authorities
ar- officials to betray
staffing
levels
gleaned
“There were a number
of peopleof pages
telLinda
two blocks
from
Whiteattorney
House, influence
these
officials.
Singer,
a the
former
rested
him and
threw him in prissands
imprisoned
threat
to the
theU
in the
Cuban government who in
on for nearly two
attorneys
general
todecades.
combat
fedchange
between
the
two Demowere
valuable
to the U.S.,
just as
from
records
suggesting
resRolando
Sarraff Trujillothat
has
Linda
Singer,
a former
attorney
genMuch
as big
industries
have
found
natuthat
President
Obama
general
turned
plaintiffs’
lawyer,
by
The
New
Y
were a number
of people in— at th
story
now been released
from prison there
him were num- crats, which was among thou- eral regulations,
plaintiffs’
lawwho were
Wednesday.
and flown
out of Cubamistreated
as
part of the U.S. government
eral turned plaintiffs’
lawyer,
approached
Attorral
allies
in
Republican
attorneys
general
to
idents
were
being
approached Attorney General
the
saidenormous
Jerry
the swap for three Cuban spies helpful to the Cubans,”
just
a sketch
levels ney
gleaned
yers working
on
Obama
did n
sands
of pages
of emails
obtained
clandesimprisoned
inathe contingencyUnited States Komisar, who ranMr.
GeneralGary
Gary King
King
of
New
Mexico
withwith
an
combat
federal
regulations,
plaintiffs’C.I.A.
lawthere and
at other
facilities.
Cuba during
that President
Obama announced tine operations inMs.
of
New
Mexico
Singer’s
Sarraff’s
name,
butfi
Sarraff
hidde
gesting unusual
that res-proposition.
Wednesday.
fee basis
have
teamed
up mostly
Continued on Page A16
by The New York Times, belied yers
working
on
aObama
contingency-fee
basis
have
Mr.
did THE
not give
rent
and former
Am
MERIDITH
KOHUT
FOR
NEWMr.
YORK
TIMES
“Do
you
have
10
minutes
at
any
an
unusual
proposition.
suade
Mr.
Kin
Sarraff’s name,
but several
curing mistreatedSinger
with Democratic
state
attorneys
the
enormous
payoff
for teamed
wanted
himpotential
to sue
the
owner
up
mostly
with
Democratic
state
atcials
identified
him
rent
and former
American
offiWith relationsMs.
thawing,
American
companies
are
hoping
to
develop
new
markets
in
Cuba.
Page
B1.
point
today?”
Ms.
who some
useof his
statean
Ms.thawing,
Singer
wanted
him
to sue
cials identified
himSinger,
and discussed
With relations
companies are hoping
to develop
new markets in
Cuba. Page B1. to file
r facilities.
the informat
general
hundreds
Ms.
Singer’s
firm
if she
could
persome of
the information
he gaveof lawof a nursing
home
inAmerican
rural
New
Mexico
that
torneys
general
to
file
hundreds
of
lawsuits
the
C.I.A. while burrowed
deep
astoinside
attorney
general
in to gate
andwhile
sue,burw
thenever
owner
of aofnursing
home
in had
the C.I.A.
Cuba’s
Directorate
of Insuitsserved
against
businesses
that
0 minutes
any had
Mr.atKing
heard
andhire
Ms.her
Singer
businesses
that
make
anything
from
suade Mr.
King to
and against
telligence.
inside
Cuba’s
Direct
the
District
of
Columbia,
wrote
to
rural
New
Mexico
that Mr.
King
The partne
Sarraff’s
storypharmaceuis a chapter
Lawyers
Create
Big
Paydays
by
Coaxing
Sue in Mr.
make to
anything
from
had never
set
foot
in.state
She
later
presented
him General
pharmaceuticals
to
snack
foods.
Ms. Singer,
who
use
his
powers
toAttorneys
investitelligence.
a spy vs. spy drama between
to
Mr.
King
March
had never
heard of
and
thea
United
States and 2012
Cuba that email,
flourishing
in
and corporate
lob-in
“I’m
in theMs.
lobby, near
the re- trial lawyers
with a in
proposed
lawsuit
did
not
citeSingany
The
lawsuits
follow
pattern:
Private
lawticals
to
snack
foods.
Mr.
Sarraff’s story
orney general
played
on long afterathe
end of
gate
and
sue,that
which
he
did.
COURTING
FAVOR
influence
these
officials.
ception
desk,”
Mr. King later re- byists to
By ERIC LIPTON
the Cold War and
years
after
plied, signing
the
message
“GK.”
Much
as set
big industries
to
up
ahave
meeting.
“I
finally
gotand
Pitch never set foot
er The
had
in.
She
later
in plaintiffs’
apublic
spy vs. spylaw
dra
specific
complaints
yers,
who
scour
the
media
Cuba ceased
tonews
be a a
serious
WASHINGTON
The
lawsuits
follow
pattern:
natural
allies
in Republican
The is
casual
nature of the
lumbia,
wrote —toWhen they
The partnership
part
ofex- afound
threat to the
Unitedcorporate
States. The
met at the J. W. Marriott Hotel
attorneys
general
to combat
fed-lawyers
the
United
States
an
change
between
the lobby,
two Demo-near
trial
and
lob“I’m
in
the
the
rethe
numbers
the
nursing
presented
him
with
a proposed
torneys
—on
at this
point
— remains
she shared with him
were
numabout
care.
looking
potential
cases
which
a gener
regulations,
plaintiffs’
law- storyfor
two blocks from the White House,
crats,
which What
was amongshe
thou- eral records
Private
lawyers,
who
scour
theinplayed
March 2012
email, FAVOR
flourishing
that
pairs
on long after
a sketchy outline,
with officials.
Mr.
bers on staffing levelsindustry
gleaned
byists
tojustinfluence
these
yerslater
workingreon a contingencyception
desk,”
Mr.
King
LindaCOURTING
Singer, a former attorney
sands of pages
of emails
obtained
Trujillo apSarraffwould
hidden from
public
view
from recordsthat
suggestingdid
that res-not
home
case
and
love
toRolando
dis-Sarraff
collabo
lawsuit
cite
any
spehave teamed
up
mostly
turned plaintiffs’ lawyer,
by The
New York
Times,
belied fee basis
shared
with
him
were
state
or
its
consumers
have
been
thenies,
Cold aWar
and
news
and
records
plied,
signing
the
message
“GK.”
Much
as bigpublic
industries
haveharmed,
idents were beinglawyers
mistreated
ng. “I general
finally
got General
with Democratic
statemedia
attorneys
The Pitch
approached
Attorney
plaintiffs’
with
state
atthe enormous
potential
payoff
for
therecomplaints
and at other facilities.
general
to
file
hundreds
of
lawGary
King
of
New
Mexico
with
Ms.
Singer’s
firm
if
she
could
perCuba
ceased
to
be
off
a
furious
co
cuss
it
with
you
briefly.”
cific
about
care.
What
numbers
on
staffing
proach
attorneys
general.
The
attorneys
genen theyan unusual proposition.
found
natural
allies
in
Republican
The
casual
nature
of
the
exlooking
potential cases in
businesses for
that
“Do you have general
10 minutes at any suade
Mr.
King to compahire her and suits against
n
the
nursing
torneys
to
sue
make
anything
from
pharmaceuthreat
to
the
United
point
today?”
Ms.
Singer,
who
use
his
state
powers
to
investiMs.
Singer
wanted
him
to
sue
tt Hotel
general
to
combat
fedchange
betweenfrom
the two
DemoFocusing
on
Itsdo
Future,
Nation
levels
gleaned
hireattorneys
private
to
the necessary
ticalseral
towhich
snack foods.
the owner of a nursing home in had served as attorney general in gate and sue, which he did.
athe
state
or firms
itsplaintiffs’
consumers
would
disstory — at this point
nies,
a
collaboration
that
has
shared
with
him
were
numThe lawsuits
follow aeral
pattern:
regulations,
lawHouse,love
the District
of
Columbia,
wrote to
crats,
which
among
thourural she
Newto
Mexico
that Mr.
King
The partnership
iswas
part ofset
a
records
suggesting
residents
were
being work,
with
theLeaves
understanding
that tothe
firms
lawyers, who
scour the
Mr. King inthat
a March 2012
email, flourishing
Fidel
Castro
History
never
heard
of and
Ms. Sing- tolevels
industry that pairs Private
just
a sketchy outlin
bers
on
staffing
gleaned
yers
on
a contingencyattorney
sands
oflawyers
pages
ofstate
emails
obtained
media and public
recordsworking
offto a
furious
competition
between
riefly.”had
Continued
on
Page
A24
set up
a meeting. “I finally
got
er had never set foot in. She later
plaintiffs’
with
at- news
mistreated
there
and
at
other
facilities.
will
front
most
of
the
cost
of
the
investigation
looking
for
potential
cases
in
the
numbers
on
the
nursing
presented
him
with
a
proposed
torneys
general
to
sue
compaSarraff
hidden from—
from records suggesting that res- by The New York Times,
fee
basis
have
teamed
up
mostly
lawyer,lawsuit
HAVANA
belied
that did not cite any spe- home case and would love to dis- nies, a collaboration that has set which a state or its consumers
By DAMIEN CAVE
“Do
you
have
10
minutesthe
at
anycompetition
point
to- payoff
and
the
litigation.
The firms
take They
a fee,
typically
idents
were
being
mistreated
offenormous
a furious
between
cuss it with
you briefly.”
Continued
on Page
A24
about
care.
What
with
Democratic
state attorneys
Generalcific complaints
potential
for
said nothingdents
of Fidel.
HAVANA — The college stuof a su
At a moment described by
of
a surprised
Cuba sangof lawthere and
at other
facilities.
tothe
file
hundreds
co with day?”
Ms. Singer’s
firm if she could
per- general
Ms.
Singer,
who had served
as attorney
20 percent,
anddents
state
takes
the
rest
ofto any
the colkaraoke on Thursday afternoon many as an equivalent
karaoke
on T
suits against
businesses
that
of the Berlin Wall, the abbeside a dark green
tank memo- lapse
“Do you in
have
10 minutes
at any
suade Mr. wrote
King toto
hire her
and won
general
the
District
ofaColumbia,
money
from
the
rializing
the defendants.
Cuban revolution. sence of Fidel Castro — he has
U.S.
Plans
Suit
A
Salute
to
Pioneer,
From
a
Card-Carrying
Fan
beside
and has not a dark
m to sue point today?” Ms. Singer, who use his state powers to investi- make anything
They played from
dominoespharmaceuin the said nothing about it,
publicprivate
for months —
to
Mr.
King
in a March
email,
to which
set up
While
prospecting
for contracts,
the
of the University
of Ha- appeared in
ticals
toshade
snack
foods.
hadConditions
served
as attorney
general 2012
in gate
and
sue,
he
did.
home in Over
spoke
volumes.
For
many Cuvana law school, where Fidel
rializing
the
When you grow up with a sinitthousands
confirmed that Fidel, perCastro found
his footing tens
as pattern:
a bans,
athe
meeting.
“I
finally
got
the
numbers
on
the
lawyers
have
also
donated
of
of
The
lawsuits
follow
a
District
of
Columbia,
wrote
to
gular
focus, whatever
it is,
you
Mr. King At
The
partnership
is
part
of
a
haps by his own design, is slipleader with aup
pistol at
his side. a sinRikers Island may find yourself relating to Will
When
you
grow
with
They
played
further into the past, into
When asked about
the individual
historic
Private
lawyers,
who
scourpingthe
to Mr. Kinghome
in a March
Ms. Sing- nursing
industry
pairs to
case
andemail,
love to discuss
it thatdollars
campaigns
of
attorneys
Ferrell’s 2012
character
inwould
“Elf.” Ex- flourishing
shift by the United States to ease history, at a time when his applaining his eating habits to his
gular
focus,
whatever
it
is,
you
shade
proach
to the United
States of the
news
media
and
public
records
its trade embargo and pursue
toarticle
set you
up
meeting.
“I
finally
got
he later Thiswith
plaintiffs’
lawyers
with
state
atis byaBenjamin
new
family,
the
man-child
from
briefly.” the North Pole says
general, as well
as party-backed
organizations
to be fading as well.
normalized
relations with Cuba, seems
Weiser, Michael Schwirtz and
looking
for
potential
cases
in
“It’s
a
break
with
the
past,
and law
the
numbers on TYLER
the he nursing
roposedMichael
general to sue compamaythey
findrun.
yourself
to
Will
they spoke relating
first of what it meant
vana
sc
Winerip.
sticks to the four
said in
Jorgelarge
Luis Riv“I’m
in
the lobby,
near
thetorneys
reception
desk,” that
often
come
the donations
Cuban
people,
then
of a transition,”
w
upspewith
a prosecutors
sinwhich The
afor
state
or
its
consumers
main to
fooddisgroups: nies, a collaboration that has set
Federal
plan towould love
home
case and
any
ero
González,
26,
a
master’s
stuwhat it said about
President
Oba- ExFerrell’s
character
in
“Elf.”
KEPNER
Castro
found
candy,
candy
canes,
New York City over widein information
ma, and finally,
aafter
few mentioned
Mr.
King
later
replied,
signing
“GK.” between
chunks just before
oron
the
firms
signtechnology.
concandy
corns and syr-the
off amessage
furious competition
cuss
it with
youinbriefly.”
Continued
PageRaúl
A24 dent
e. What
ever
itsue
is,
you
spread
civil
rights
violations
“What we have now is hope for a
the boldness of
President
up.
plaining
his
eating
habits
to
his
the handling of adolescent inHAVANA
— The
leader
with
ap
Castro.
Continued
onfinance
Page
A17
The
casual
nature
the
tracts
to
represent
the
state,
campaign
Forof
me, the
diet exchange between
mates
at
Rikers
Island,
making
relating
to Will
by Benjamin new family, the man-child from
was baseball,article
baseball games, is
dents When
of a surprised
clear their dissatisfaction with This
aske
pitching. That
theExtwoin reining
Democrats,
which
was among thou- records and more than 240 contracts examined
the city’s
progress
in baseball cards and
karaoke on Thursda
er in “Elf.”
was my sustenance,
and I supbrutality by
guards and improvWeiser,
Michael
Schwirtz
and
the
North
Pole
says
pose
I
should
thank
Sy
Berger
for
shift
by
the
U
In Region, a Wedge Is Removed
ing conditions
at the
sands
ofjail complex,
pageshisof
emails obtained by The New
by The Times show.
beside a dark green
role as a vendor. I emptied my
g habits
a new to
court his
filing shows.
Michael
Winerip.
pockets of quarters and singles,
hegotten
sticks out
to the
The
decision Times,
to go to court
rializing
the Cuban
itsScott
trade
em
York
belied
the enormous potential pay“This has
of four
hand,” said
comes more
than four months af- and he filled my soul with baseman-child
from
By SIMON ROMERO and WILLIAM NEUMAN
They
played
domin
ter the office of Preet Bharara, ball, one 3›-by-2›-inch slice of
main
food
groups:
normalized
re
a sweeping
détente
with
BUENOS
AIRES — President
off
forattorney
Ms.forSinger’s
if she could persuade
Democrat
whoclaring
was
the
attorplan to Harshbarger, aObama
cardboard atfirm
a time. prosecutors
the United
States
the Federal
orth Pole
says
the Univer
the way forof
a mahas been lambasted for Cuba, openingshade
Berger, the longtime Topps exSouthern District of New York, isSy Berger, who died Sunday, brought whimsy to baseball cards.candy,
candy
canes,
jor
repositioning
of
the
United
spying
in
Brazil,
accused
of
being
they
spoke
fir
King
tocited
hire
her
andYork
his
state
powers
to
ney general of
Massachusetts in the
ecutive
considered
theuse
father of
sued Mr.
a blistering
report that
sue
New
City
over
widevana1990s,
law school, w
a warmonger by Bolivia, dis- States in the region.
cks to the
four
the
modern
baseball
card, died
a pervasive
and you
“deep-seated
When
grow
up
with
a sinhis career win total. I scored it for
should be handled with care. We
Washington’s
isolation of Cuba
missed as afirst
“lost opportunity”
by into
candy
corns
and
syrSunday atwhich
91. I never knew
culture
of violence” directedand
at on sue,
Castro
found
his fo
investigate
he
did.
when
this
practice
burst
prominence
for
the Cuba
spread
civil
rights
violations
in
$75 from a friend who had a new
were not the generation that
Argentina, and taunted in Nic- has long been a defining fixture
gular
focus,
teenage
inmates
at Rikers.whatever
him, butit
oh,is,
did you
I know his work.
food groups:
ON
driver’s license
and needed gas
flipped them or put them in our
politics,with
some- a pistol at
aragua by calls for Latin America of Latin American
leader
No
marketing
vice
president
The report The
found rampant
use
up.
partnership
isdevised
part
of abicycle
flourishing
inas
a result ofto the
what
it said ab
spokes. We would have
may force
findbyyourself
relating
Will
thecould
handling
of
adolescent
in- money.
thing that has tobacco
united
governdraw up litigation
its own list of state against
of excessive
correction
ever haveto
a better
BASEBALL
, candy
canes,
disowned our mothers had they
asked about
But I never really understood
region, regardsponsors of terrorism — with the ments across the When
officers,
the overusecharacter
of solitary way
to“Elf.”
sell baseball
to the
Ferrell’s
in
ExFor
me,
the
diet
dustry
that
pairs
plaintiffs’
lawyers
with
state
companies.
“And
it
seriously
threatens
the
thrown
our
cards
out
with
the
the
mass
speculation
as
the
’80s
less
of
their
ideologies.
Even
ma,
and
finall
United
States
in
the
No.
1
spot.
and an ineffectual
masses, and
the players
mates
atbringRikers
Island,
making rolled into the ’90s. I’ve never
shift by the United
St
trash.
cornsconfinement
and
syrBut now Latin American lead- some of Washington’s close allies
system
of investigating
assaults
closer
to the fans.
plaining
his
eating
habits
to
his
sold
a
card
in
my
life.
Not
that
I
I
went
to
shows
in
giant
exhibiin the Americas
have
ralliedboldness
toembargo
attorneys
to
sue
companies,
a
collabowas
baseball,
baseball
games,
perception
of
integrity
and
professionalism
of
ers
have a new kind
of vocabuby guards.
Weeks earlier, general
an clear
inits
trade
I
saw
my
first
major
league
the
their
dissatisfaction
with
enjaminvestigation
knew that the bubble would
tion halls and spent my allownew byfamily,
the
man-child
The New
York
lary to describe him: They are Cuba’s side.
game at age 6, from
in 1981. It was an
burst, baseball
or that the rookie cards
of
ance money on Topps “Traded”
normalized
Now, Mr. Obama’s
restoration relations
documented the cases of interesting time to start collectcalling
him “brave,”
“extraordi- That
rtz andTimes
cards
and
pitching.
theseriNorth
Pole
says
the
city’s
progress
in
reining
in
Dwight
Gooden
would
not
in
fact
sets.
I
bought
every
Steve
Carlof diplomatic ties Castro.
with Cuba is
129
inmates
who
had
been
nary” and “intelligent.”
ing, with Fleer and Donruss new
me, the
diet
they
spoke
pay
for
my
future
children’s
colton
card
ever
made,
including
his
snatching
a
major
cudgel
from first of w
ously injured in altercations
with
After
years
of
watching
his
inon
the
scene
as
challengers
to
he sticks
to the four
was Imy
sustenance,
I supTYLER
lege education.
just never
want- fluence in Latinand
1965 rookie
card, shared
with a
guards last
year.
potentially
brutality
byYou guards
and
improvAmerica slip his critics andfor
Topps’s supremacy.
undertherestorCuban peop
CMYK
Nxxx,2014-12-19,A,001,Bs-BK,E2
© 2014 The New York Times
Lawyers Create Big Paydays by Coaxing
days by Coaxing Attorneys General to Sue
W
MERIDITH KOHUT FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
OPPORTUNITY IN HAVANA
eate Big Paydays by Coaxing Attorneys General to Sue
Focusi
Leave
U.S. Plans Suit A Salute to a Pioneer, F
Over Conditions
e to a Pioneer,
From a Card-Carrying Fan Focusing
Leaves F
At Rikers Island
ON
BASEBALL
uit A Salute to a Pioneer, From a Card-Carrying
Fan
TYLER
KEPNER
ons
and
ng
Big Paydays
by Coaxing Attorneys General to Sue
2014-12-19,A,024,Bs-4C,E1
Nxxx,2014-12-19,A,024,Bs-4C,E1
party-backed
that they
orneys will
general,
asmost
well
as the cost organizations
individual
attorneys general, as well as
front
of
of the
in-of thousands
of dollars to campaigns
of firms
private
lawyers
have
also
donated
tens
hat
the
firms
chunks
the
ting
forvestigation
contracts,
the
run.
The
donations
often
come
in largejust before or after
organizations
that
they
party-backed
organizations that they
and
the
litigation.
The
firms
individual
attorneys
as wellthe
as
ost ofalso
the donated
in- of thousands
dollars
to campaigns
of
signfirms
contracts general,
to represent
have
tens
chunks
just
before
orthe
after the
ations
often
in
large of
run.they
Thestate,
donations often come in large
take
acome
fee,
typically
20
percent,
and
party-backed
organizations
that
on.
The
firms
individual
attorneys
general,
as well the
as
campaign
and more
ollars to
campaigns
of rest
sign
contracts
to represent
state, finance records
before
orthe
after
thethe
firms
chunks
just before or after the firms
state
takes
of
any money
won
rcent, and
run.they
The
donations
often come
in
large
party-backed
organizations
that
than
240
contracts
examined
by The to represent the state,
eys
general,
as
well
as
campaign
finance
records
and
more
s money
to represent
the state,
sign
contracts
y
won the defendants.
from
chunks
just show.
before or after the firms
run.
The
donations
often come
in
large
Times
ganizations
that
they
than
240forcontracts
examined
by The
orneys
ance records
and
more
campaign
finance records and more
While
prospecting
contracts,
the
sign
contracts
to represent
state, said
chunks
just
before
or
after
the
firms
re
the
“This
has
gotten outthe
ofthan
hand,”
ns
often
come
in large
show.
contracts,
the lawyers
tracts
examined
byTimes
The
240
contracts
examined
private
have
also
donated
tens
campaign
finance
records
and
more
work, THE
NEW
TIMES
NEW
FRIDAY,
YORK
DECEMBER
TIMES NATIONAL
19, 2014
FRIDAY,
DECEMBER
19, 2014by The
NATIONAL
signYORK
contracts
to
represent
the
Scott
Harshbarger,
a Democrat
who
donated
tens
re
or after
the
firms
has
gottenTHE
out
ofstate,
hand,”
said
Times
show.
firms of thousands of “This
dollars
to
campaigns
of
than
240
examined by MassachuThe
campaign
finance records aand
more
campaigns
was contracts
the
ogotten
represent
state,
he
in- outofofthe
Scott
Democrat
whoattorney general of “This
hand,”
said Harshbarger,
has gotten out of hand,” said
individual
attorneys
general,
as well as
Times
show.
ral,
as
well
as
than
240
contracts
examined
by
The
firms
setts in the 1990s, when Scott
this practice
e records
and more
was
general
of Massachuarger,
athey
Democrat
whothe attorney
Harshbarger, a Democrat who
organizations
that
they
nd
the
Mr. K
“This
has
gotten
out
of
hand,”
said
ns
thatparty-backed
TimesThe
show.
burst into prominencewas
as athe
result
of
cts
examined
setts in
thecome
1990s,in when
this first
practice
ney
general
of by
Massachuy won
attorney
general of Massachudonations
often
large
come
inrun.
largeThe
suit
re
Scott
Harshbarger,
a
Democrat
who
“Thisfirst
has gotten
of hand,”assaid
litigation
against tobacco
compaintoout
prominence
athe
result
of
990s,
setts in
the 1990s, when this practice
ter
the when
firms this
chunks
justpractice
beforeburst
or after
the
firmswaswho
throug
the
attorney
general
of
Massachuts,
the
Scott
Harshbarger,
a
Democrat
“And it seriously threatens
en the
out state,
of hand,”
said
the
against
tobacconies.
compaoent
as a result
first burst the
into prominence as a result of
contracts
tooflitigation
represent
theofstate,
dprominence
tens sign
that es
setts perception
in the 1990s,
when this
was the
attorney
general
Massachuof integrity
andpractice
professionaler,
Democrat
who
ds
and
more
nies.
“And
it
seriously
threatens
the
gns
ofa campaign
against
tobacco
compathe
litigation
against tobacco compaMr.
finance
records
and
more
theKin
rat
first
burst
into
prominence
as
a
result
of
setts inperception
the
thisand
practice
ined
ism of the office, as it raisesnies.
the question
well
as by The
general
of Massachuofwhen
integrity
professionalseriously
threatens
the 1990s,
“And it seriously threatens the
suitidents.
relied
than
240
contracts
examined
by
The
the
litigation
against
tobacco
compathey
first
burst
prominence
a result
whether attorneys are
taking up
s,
when and
thisprofessionalpractice
isminto
of the
office, as itasraises
theof
question
ntegrity
perception
of integrity and professionalthrough
th
show.
nies.
“And cases
it seriously
threatens
the
f large
hand,”Times
said
Mr.Cohen
King a
the
litigation
against
tobacco are
compathese
because
they
are
ominence
as
a
result
of
whether
attorneys
taking
up
firms
ce,
as
it
raises
the
question
ismimportant
of the office, as it raises the question
rneys who
that
estim
“This
has
gotten
out
of
hand,”
said
emocrat
the
cos
perception
of
integrity
and
professionalsuit
relied
on
“And
seriously
threatens
state, tobacconies.
public matters, or they areofbeing
drivenattorneys are taking up
ainst
compathese
because
they
are the
important
attorneys
taking
upitcases
whether
re
the
the adding
ratio
ScottareHarshbarger,
a Democrat
whoism
ofmore
Massachuthrough
thebu
ofmore
the office,
as it raises
the
question
perception
of
integrity
and
professionalby
potential
for
private
financial
riously
threatens
the
public
matters,
or
they
are
being
driven
ecause
theythe
areattorney
important
these
cases
because
they
are
important
ythis
The practice
work,
idents.
Bu
that
estimate
was
general
of
Massachuproach
of whether
attorneys are taking up
ism
of driven
the
office,
as
it raisesfor
theprivate
question
gain.”
grity
and
professionalMARK HOLM FOR THE
NEW
YORKbetw
TIM
more
by
potential
financial
es,
as
result
of in
the
ratio
ora they
are
being
public matters, or they are being driven
firms
Cohen
Mi
setts
the
1990s,
when
this
practice
been
a
these
cases
because
they
are
important
of
whether
attorneys are taking up Emails and contingency lawyer
” said
Mr. King acknowledged that theidents.
lawconas
it
raises
the
question
bacco
compagain.”
But
M
MARK
HOLM
FOR
THE
NEW
YORK
TIMES,
ABOVE;
CRAIG
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
PRESS,
ntial
for
private
financial
more
by
potential
for
private
financial
PITCH
Linda
Singer,
below,
a
former
he
in- first burst into prominence as a result ofpublic matters, or they are being driven
the state’s
cost, th
t who
suit
relied
on
a
novel
claim,
developed
these cases
because
are important
hreatensare
the taking
tract
documents
obtained
by
The
Times
Cohen
Milste
rneys
upagainst
Emails
andthey
contingency
lawyer
consachugain.”
firms
adding
tha
through
the
use
of
a
software
program,
MARK
HOLM
FOR
THE
NEW
YORK
TIMES,
ABOVE;
CRAIG
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
PRESS,
BELOW
LEFT;
JABIN
BOTSFORD/THE
NEW
YORK
TIM
the
litigation
tobacco
compaof New
Mexico,
left, tothe
weigh
sui
PITCH
Linda
Singer,
below, King
a former
District
of Columbia
attorn
by potential
forgeneral
privatein
financial
“The
professionalpublic matters,
or they are
beingmore
driven
from
attorneys
15 states
show
use
they
are important
actice
thatlawyer
estimatedconresident harm based
oncost, ther
tract
documents
obtained
by The
Times
contingency
lawyer
conEmails
and BOTSFORD/THE
contingency
nd
the
proach
be
nies.
“And
itby
seriously
threatens
the
gain.”
good
w
MARK
HOLM FOR
THE
NEW Linda
YORK
TIMES,
ABOVE; CRAIG
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
PRESS,
BELOWMexico,
LEFT;
JABIN left,
NEW
YORK
TIMES,
BELOW
RIGHT
s
the
question
King
of
New
to
weigh
suing
the
owner
of
a
Gallup
nu
PITCH
Singer,
below,
a
former
District
of
Columbia
attorney
general,
asked
Attorney
Ge
MARK
HOLM
FOR
THE
NEW
YORK
TIMES,
ABOV
PITCH
Linda
adding
that
h
sult
of
more
potential
for
private
financial
the
ratio
between
nurse’s
aides
and
reshowshow
these alliances have
scrambled
r they
are
being
driven
from attorneys
general in 15 states
nts
obtained
by The
Times
tract
documents obtainedidents.
by The
Times
y
won
been
abeca
dis
perception
of
integrity
and
professionalompare
taking
up
But
Mr.
King
said
that
because
cient
a
proach
Emails
and
contingency
lawyer
conKing
of
New
Mexico,
left,
to
weigh
suing
the
owner
of
a
Gallup
nursing
home.
Then
her
target
shi
gain.”
King
of
New
PITCH
Linda
Singer,
below,
a
former
District
of
Columbia
attorney
general,
asked
Attorney
General
Gary
MARK
HOLM
FOR
THE
NEW
YORK
TIMES,
ABOVE;
CRAIG
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
PRESS,
BELOW
LEF
roles
in
the
legal
profession.
PITCH
Linda
Singer,
below,
a
former
Distr
al
for
private
financial
how
have scrambled
ns
the
s general
states
show
Milstein
was covering most
of a distur
from
attorneys general in Cohen
15 states
show
state’s
nur
are
important
isminof15the
office,
as
itthese
raisesalliances
the question
been
Ms.
tract
documents
obtained
by
The
Times
Emails
and
lawyer
consionalPrivate
lawyers
whose
traditional
the cost,
there
was
little risk
to
the
state,
King
of New
Mexico,
left,
totaking
weigh
suing
the
owner
ofYORK
a Gallup
nursing
home.alliances
Then
her
target
shifted.
roles
in contingency
the
legal
profession.
King
of
New
Mexico,
left,
to
weigh
suing
th
MARK HOLM
FOR
THE NEW
TIMES,
ABOVE;
CRAIG
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
PRESS,
BELOW
LEFT;
JABIN
BOTSFORD/THE
NEW
YORK
TIMES,
B
PITCH
Linda
Singer,
below,
a
former
District
of
Columbia
attorney
gen
being
driven
lliances
have
scrambled
state’s
nursin
how
these
have
scrambled
“The
co
s,
the
of
whether
attorneys
are
up
from
attorneys
general
in 15 states
show tort
estion
adding that he was receptive to this ap- field to
tract
documents
obtained
by
The
Times
work
has
been
filing
class-action
ntingency
lawyer
convate
financial
Private
lawyers
whose
traditional
“The
cour
gal
profession.
roles
inColumbia
theBOTSFORD/THE
legal
profession.
King
of
New
Mexico,
left,
to
weigh
suing
the
owner
a
Gallup
nursing
good
wayh
d
MARK HOLM they
FOR PITCH
THE
NEW
YORK TIMES,
ABOVE;
CRAIG
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
PRESS,
BELOW
LEFT;
JABIN
NEW proach
YORK
TIMES,
BELOW
RIGHT
Linda
Singer,
below,
a
former
District
of
attorney
general,
asked
Attorney
Gener
these cases
because
are
important
ngtens
up
because
ofof
what
he said had
includi
how
these
alliances
have
scrambled
from
attorneys
general
infiling
15FORstates
showTIMES, ABOVE;
or CRAIG
securities
fraudPRESS,
cases
obtained
by The
Times
good
to
MARK HOLM
THE
NEW YORKclaims
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
BELOWon
LEFT;beJABIN BOTSFORD/THE NEW
YORK
TIMES, BELOW
RIGHT of abuse in
work
has
been
class-action
tort
ortant
been
atraditional
disturbing
pattern
his way
wyers
whose
traditional
Private
lawyers
whose
cient
argu
gns
of public
matters,
or they
are
being
driven
King
of
New
Mexico,
left,
to
weigh
suing
the general,
owner
of
a Gallup
nursing
home.
Then
her target
Mexico
roles in
the
legal
profession.
PITCH
Linda
Singer,
below,
a
former
District
of
Columbia
attorney
asked
Attorney
General
Gary
how
these
alliances
have
scrambled
ydriven
lawyer
concient shifted
argume
state’s
nursing homes.
half
of
individuals
or
groups
are
now
eneral
in
15
states
show
claims
orprivate
securities
fraud
cases on
be- of Columbia attorney
PITCH
Linda
Singer,
below,
a
former
District
general,
asked
Attorney
General
Gary
en
filing
class-action
tort
work
has
been
filing
class-action
tort
ell
as
Ms.
Sin
more
by
potential
for
financial
Gr
Private
lawyers
whose
traditional
ancial
“The
court system in America isMs.
a nia,
by
The
Times
King
of scrambled
New
left,
to weigh
suing
theoften
owner
ofowner
a Gallup
nursing
home.
Then
herher
target
shifted.
Singer
rolesMexico,
in
theoflegal
profession.
operating
with
the
power
of
the
nces
have
half
ofNew
individuals
or
groups
are
now
King
Mexico,
left,
to
weigh
suing
the
of
aMARK
Gallup
nursing
home.
Then
target
shifted.
urities
fraud
on
be-HOLM
or
securities
fraud
cases
ondetermine
be- ifPRESS,
field
to
itsB
good
way
to
that is
a suffiMARK
FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES, ABOVE;work
CRAIG FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
PRESS,filing
BELOW LEFT;
JABIN
BOTSFORD/THE
YORK
TIMES,
BELOW
RIGHT ABOVE;
HOLMclaims
FORNEW
THE
NEW
YORK
TIMES,
CRAIG
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
BELOW
LEFT;
JABIN
Lynch
5they
statesgain.”
show cases
has
been
class-action
tort
field
to
itself.
Private
lawyers
whose
traditional
state,
substantially asked
increasing
their
profession.
rlarge
con- or groups
withDistrict
the power
of the
cient argument,”
Mr. King said.
duals
areoften
now operating
half
of individuals
are now
including
PITCH Linda
Singer,
below, a lawyer
former
of Columbia
attorney general,
Attorney
General Gary or groups
Emails
and
contingency
conve
scrambled
including
Paa
claims
orPITCH
securities
fraud
cases
on beLinda
Singer,
below,
ashifted.
former District Ms.
of Columbia
attorney
Times
work
has
been
filing
class-action
tort
Singer’s firm does
not have general,
the Kansas
chance
for
success
by
bringing
claims
rs
whose
traditional
state,
substantially
increasing
their
King
of
New
Mexico,
left,
to
weigh
suing
the
owner
of
a
Gallup
nursing
home.
Then
her
target
ng
with
the
power
of
the
n.
often
operating
with
the
power
of
the
firms
Mexico,
W
Mexico,
Walt
obtained
by
The
Times
s show tract documents
ma,
Pe
half
of
individuals
or
groups
are
now
field
to
itself.
Former
attorneys
general,
claimstort
or
securities
fraud cases
on beKing of
Mexico, state,
left, to substantially
weigh suing the
owner
of
a Gallup
nursing
home.
T
on claims
behalf
of New
“the people.”
iling
class-action
chance
for
success
by
bringing
entially
traditional
increasing
their
nia,
Grant
W
mbled
increasing
their
state,
including
Patricia
A.
Madrid
of
New
nia,
Grant
from
attorneys
general
in
15
states
show
and M
often
operating
with the general
power of
the the
half
of
individuals
or
groups
are
now
State
attorneys
defend
ies
fraud
cases
on
beMexico,
Walter
W.
Cohen
of
Pennsylvass-action
tort
on
behalf
of
“the
people.”
Lynch
of
Rh
ccess
claims
for success by bringing claims
more by
Lynch
of
howbringing
these alliances
have
scrambled
pu
state,the
substantially
increasingchance
their
itional
nia, Grant Woods of Arizona, Patrick
C. alsoDre
operating
with the
power
cases
on be- often
practice,
budgets,
Kansas,
ls
or
groups
are
now
State
attorneys
generalof defend
the saying that with tight
he
people.”
on
behalf
of “the people.” Lynch of Rhode Island, Steve Six
Kansas,
D
roles
in
the
legal
profession.
n The
tort
of
docum
chance
for
success
by
bringing
claims
ups are now
state,
substantially
their
ma, Peg Lau
hiring
outside lawyers is often
the attorneys
only
with
power
oflawyers
the
practice,
sayingincreasing
that with tight
budgets,
on be- the
Kansas,
Drew the
Edmondson of Oklahoneys
general
defend
the whose
ma,Mike
PegML
State
general
defend
Private
traditional
show.
on
behalf
of
“the
people.”
power
of
the
and
chance
for success
bringing
claims
e now increasing
tool
rough parity
Peg Lautenschlager of Wisconsin
ally
their
hiring
outsidebylawyers
is often
the they
only have to achieve practice,
ng
that with
budgets,
andpursued
Mike
that withma,
tight
budgets,
said
has
been
filing
tort
Mr.
King of
acknowledged
the
easing
their tight
broker
State
attorneys
general
defend
the saying
of
the work
and Mike
Moore
Mississippi, also
havethat
on claims
behalf
of
“the class-action
people.”
with
the
army
of
corporate
lawyers
who
ss
by
bringing
tool
they
have
to
achieve
rough
parity
lawyers
is often
the only fraud cases on be-practice, saying that with tight budgets,
alsohelping
pursu
hiring outside lawyers is also
often
the
only
who claims
their
inging
claims
orState
securities
suit
relied
on
a
novel
claim,
devel
pursued
or
struck
deals
with states,
documents
attorneys
general
defendlawyers
the
are aggressively
trying to blunt
the lawpeople.”
with
the
of corporate
who
obtained
Times
eclaims
to achieve
parity
document
toolonly
they
have to achievedocuments
rough
parity
achushow.
Severa
half ofrough
individuals
or army
groups
are
now
through
the usebyofThe
a software
prog
Ms.
hiringsuits
outside
lawyers
is often legislation
the
practice,
saying
that
with
tight
budgets,
show. Several of them work simply
as
—
in
court,
through
and of corporate
s
general
defend
the
are
aggressively
trying
to blunt the lawlofdefend
the operating
brokers,
earn
corporate
lawyers
who
show.
Sev
with
the
army
lawyers
who
actice
often
with
the
power
of
the
that
estimated
resident
harm
base
countr
tool
they
have
to
achieve
rough
parity
nd the
brokers,
earning
a
commission
just
for
hiring
outside
lawyers
is
often
the
only
in elections
certain
hat
with
tight
budgets,
tight
budgets,
helping
toand
pit
court, through
legislation
and in which they target
ely
trying
to blunt
thesuits
law-— in
brokers,
e
are
aggressively
trying
to
blunt
the
lawsult
of
dgets,
helping
to
pitch
a
case.
state,
substantially
increasing
their
the
ratio
between
nurse’s
aides
yer),
a
with
the
army ofgeneral
corporate
lawyers
who
tool
they
have to achieve
rough
parity
often
the
only
attorneys
for
defeat.
Ms.
Madr
wyers
is
often
the
only
e
only
in
elections
in
which
they
target
certain
Ms.
Madrid
has
flown
around
the
rt,
through
legislation
and
helping
toT
suits
—
in
court,
through
legislation
and
ompachance
for
success
by
bringing
claims
idents.
But
Mr.
King
said
that
bec
ness.
are
aggressively
trying
to
blunt
the
lawrough
parity
parity
with
with
the
army of corporate
country with her husband (also a country
lawachieve
rough
parity
attorneys
general forlawyers
defeat. who In no place has the contingency-fee
they
target
certain
in elections
in which theyyer),
target
certain
Maa
swhich
the on
behalf
of
“the
people.”trying
Cohen
Milstein
was
covering
mo
rs
who
Vermo
acting
as
a broker to
solicit
busi-Ms.
suits
—
in court,flourished
through legislation
and
ecorporate
lawyers
who
yer),
acting
are
aggressively
to
blunt
the
lawpractice
more
than
in
Mislawyers
who
In
no
place
has
the
contingency-fee
eral
e law-for
ness.
They
traveled
early
this
year
to
attorneys
general
for
defeat.
country
wts
ionalthe
cost,
there
was
little
risk
to
the
Statesuits
attorneys
general
defend
the
blunt
thedefeat.
lawfirm
ness. law
They
in elections
in which they target certainby At—practice
in court, flourished
through legislation
and
sissippi,
on
and the
trying
to
blunt
the
lawVermont on behalf of the Texas-based
more than
in Mis- where lawyers hired
has
contingency-fee
yer),
actin
estion
In
no
place
has
the
contingency-fee
egislation
and
adding
that
he
was
receptive
to
thi
practice,
saying
that
with
tight
budgets,
Vermont
on
pitched
attorneys
general
for
defeat.
ertain
law firm Baron & Budd and successfully
in elections
in which
they
target certain
torney
General Jim Hood,practice
a Democrat,
hrough
legislation
and
sissippi,
where
lawyers
by Attarget
ished
more
than
in
Mislaw
Baro
ness.
The
g
up certain
flourished morepitched
than
in firm
Misproach
because
of ofwhat
he
said
hiring
outside
lawyers
isfor
often
the only hired
the
to the staff
the
at-firm
torney
In no
place
has the
contingency-fee
attorneys
general
defeat.
have
collected
$57.5
million
in
fees
durich
they
target
certain
at.
General
Jimparity
Hood, a Democrat,
pitched
the
cy-fee
torney
general,
an old friend,
to reprere
lawyers
hired
bytorney
At-achieve
Vermont
ortant
sissippi,
where
lawyers
hired
by
Atbeen
a
disturbing
pattern
of
abuse
tool they
have
to
rough
sent w
thfoi
practice
flourished
more
in MisIn nohave
place
has the$57.5
contingency-fee
by the
office
attorney
general
or
nal
Mislast two
yearsthan
— three
times
as Jim
sent theofstate
in a lawsuit
against
oilits gener
ntingency-fee
for
defeat.
torney
collected
million
in ing
feesthe
durJim
Hood,
a
Democrat,
law
firm
B
riven
torney
General
Hood,
a
Democrat,
state’s
nursing
homes.
with
the
army
of
corporate
lawyers
who
compa
whereMr.
lawyers
hired
by Atby
At- in Mis- practice flourished more than sissippi,
companies over
allegations
a
fuelthe
Missent
the stat
career
attorneys
who
adhere
to
much
Hood
spent
running
sthan
the
contingency-fee
where
they
pay
tothat
gain
access.
by
thehas
office
of on
attorney
general
or its
the last
two
years
— in
three
timesas
as
dancial
$57.5
million
in feesing
durpitched
th
have
collected
$57.5
million
in
fees
durmocrat,
“The
court
system
in
America
are
aggressively
trying
to
blunt
the
lawadditive
caused
groundwater
contamiadditiv
torney
General
Jim
Hood,
a
Democrat,
hired
by Atcompanies
o
sissippi,
where
lawyers
hired
by on
Athighest
standards
ofasrors
professionalism,”
of
his
state
office
during
the
same
period.
ed
more
than
incourt,
Miscareer
who
adhere
toBOTSFORD/THE
thenation.
Ms.
Singer
herself
made
much
Mr.
HoodFOR
has
spent
running
s durMs.
Madrid
will by
earn
a fee
for
where
they
pay
to
gain
access.
by
the
of
attorney
general
or
its attorneys
in
their
credit
file
wo
—
three
times
as as
the
office
of
att
torney
gen
ing
the
last
two
years
—
three
times
good
way
toTIMES,
determine
ifhas
that
iscaus
a
suits
—YORK
in
through
legislation
and
OLM
FOR THE
NEW
TIMES,
ABOVE;
CRAIG
MARK
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
HOLMoffice
THE
NEW
PRESS,
YORK
BELOW
TIMES,
LEFT;
ABOVE;
JABIN
CRAIG
BOTSFORD/THE
FRITZ/ASSOCIATED
YORK
PRESS,
TIMES,
BELOW
BELOW
LEFT;
RIGHT
JABIN
NEW
YORK
BELOW
RIGHT
nation.
have
collected
$57.5
million
inNEW
dura years
Democrat,
additive
torney
General
Jim
a
Democrat,
where
they
pay to
gain
access.
byhired
the office
of attorney
general
orHood,
its
rors
infees
their
credit
files.
The relationmes
as
helping
to
sell
the
job.
the
office
said
in
a
statement.
w
Mr.
Hood
has
taken
in
$395,000
in
awyers
by
Athighest
standards
of
professionalism,”
of
pitches,
presenting
attorneys
his
state
office
during
the
same
period.
career
attorneys
who
adhere
the
ship relationwas
made
clear
Ms.
Singer
herself
has
dozens
Hood
has
spent
onofrunning
career
attorneys
sent
the
much
as Mr.
Hood
has
spent
on
running
cient
argument,”
Mr.
King
said.
in
elections
in
which
they
target
certain
where
they
pay
toto
gain
the
attorney
general
or
its
n
inby
fees
durtheir
credit
files.
The
nation.
Ms. in
helping
where
tsM
by
thein
office
of
attorney
general
or Gary
its
career
attorneys
who adhere
toColumbia
thebelow,
ship was
made
clear
in
arors
subpoena
is-made
the
last
years
—access.
three
times
as
Ms.
Singer
herself
hastwo
made
dozens
“It
justrunning
gives
credibility
when
you
are
, conbelow,
aaoffice
former
PITCH
District
Linda
Singer,
of
aing
former
general,
District
asked
of
Columbia
Attorney
attorney
General
general,
Gary
asked
Attorney
General
have
collected
$57.5
million
in attorney
fees
durOver
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donatto
contributions
from
trial
law
im
Hood,
Democrat,
theto
office
said
in
astate
statement.
with
asomeone
shopping
list
of
possible
liju
Hood
has
taken
in
$395,000
in
highest
standards
of campaign
professionalism,”
sued
to
TransUnion
insel
JS
of
presenting
attorneys
general
eTimes
during
the
same
period.
highest
standards
where
they
pay
gain
access.
bygeneral
the office
of
attorney
general
or
its
highest
standards
ofMr.
professionalism,”
companies
sued
topitches,
TransUnion
inoffice
July
2013.
rors
in
their
credit
files.
The
relationhis
during
the
same
period.
of
pitches,
presenting
attorneys
general
riod.
hree
times
as
helping
to
dealing
within
that
you
know,”
attorneys
for
defeat.
Ms.
Singer’s
firm
does
not
hav
career
attorneys
who
adhere
to
the
ship
was
made
clear
a
subpoena
isMs.
Singer
herself
has
made
dozens
“It
career
attorneys
who
adhere
to
the
Ms.
much
as
Mr.
Hood
has
spent
on
running
where
they
pay
to Madrid’s
gain
access.
by
the
office
ofdecade,
attorney
general
or
its
ing
the
last
two
years
times
as
o,
left,
to
King
suing
of
New
the
owner
Mexico,
of—
left,
athree
Gallup
toa in
weigh
nursing
suing
home.
the
owner
Then
of
her
a“Please
Gallup
target
shifted.
nursing
home.
Then
her
target
shifted.
at
least
$9.8
million
directly
to
state
firms
over
the
last
more
than
7.5
million
in
fees
durthe weigh
office
said
in
a campaign
statement.
direct
any
questions
regardwith
shopping
list
ofMs.
possible
litigation
000
in
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donatMike
Messina,
Ms.
husband,
topics,
like
defective
highway
contributions
from
trial
law
career
attorneys
who
adhere
to
ship
was
made
clear
in
aitself.
subpoena
Singer
herself
has
made
dozens
nt
on
running
the
office
said
athe
statement.
“It
just
giv
“Please
direct
any
qcs
with
ageneral
shopping
list
ofed
possible
litigation
theis-office
said
ingen
ara
has
taken
in
$395,000
inprofessionalism,”
additive
show
Mr.
Hood
has
taken
in
$395,000
in2013.
field
toprofessionalism,”
Former
attorneys
In
no
place
has
the
contingency-fee
highest
standards
offirms
sued
to
TransUnion
in
July
of
pitches,
presenting
attorneys
dealing
highest
standards
of“the
of
pitch
his
state
office
during
the
same
period.
career
attorneys
who
adhere
to
the
ing
our
requests
orto
your
production
to
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
have
donattopics,
like
defective
highway
guardal
lawperiod.
Ms.
Singer
herself
has
made
dozens
much
as
Mr.
Hood
has
spent
on
running
said
this
month
while
sitting
on
a
couch
the
office,
as
it
raises
the
question
of
whether
by
bringing
claims
on
behalf
of
people.”
attorneys
general
and
political
groups
em
any
other
attorney
general.
where
they
pay
gain
access.
by
the
office
of
attorney
general
or
its
rors
in
their
credit
files.
ears
—
three
times
as
highest
standards
of
professionalism,”
sued
to
TransUnion
in
July
2013.
of
pitches,
presenting
attorneys
general
ame
ed
at
least
$9.8
million
directly
to
state
rails
and
abuses
by
for-profit
c
dealing
with
firms
over
the
last
decade,
more
than
ing
our
requests
or
yo
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donattopics,
like
defective
highway
guardntributions
from
trial
law
nation.
M
Over
all,
plaintif
mbled
campaign
contributions
from
trial
law
including
Patricia
A.
Madrid
of
practice
flourished
more
than
in
Misthe
office
said
in
a
statement.
“Please
direct
any
questions
regardwith
aby
shopping
list
oflist
possible
litigation
our $395,000
outside
counsel,”
said
a cover
letter
ed at least
$9.8
million
directly
to state
rails and
abuses
for-profit
colleges,
Mike
the
office
said
inthe
aany
statement.
e than
in
lobbypresenting
of the Ritz-Carlton
hotel in with
aasM
Mr.adhere
Hood
has
taken
in
in
highest
standards
of
professionalism,”
of
pitches,
attorneys
general
his
state
office
during
the
same
period.
the
office
said
in
aed
statement.
“Please
direct
questions
regardrelated
to
attorneys
general
over
the
with
abecause
shopping
of
possible
litigation
ne has
$395,000
in
career
attorneys
who
togain
the
In
one
case,
a senior
partner
atrors
the
Mike
Messin
ship
was
made
clear
inmi
Ms.
Singer
herself
has
made
dozens
d
spent
onof
running
attorneys
general
and
political
groups
emails
show.
any
other
attorney
general.
attorneys
are
taking
up
these
cases
State
attorneys
general
defend
the
pracwhere
they
pay
to
access.
by
theOver
office
attorney
general
or
its
in
their
credit
files.
The
relationour
outside
counsel,”
sa
on
the
subpoena,
emblazoned
with
the
at
least
$9.8
million
directly
to
state
attorneys
general
and
political
groups
emails
show.
rails
and
abuses
by
for-profit
colleges,
last
decade,
more
than
Fort
Lauderdale,
Fla.,
where
the
couple
helping
to
ed
at
least
$9.8
firms
over
the
last
decade,
more
than
Mexico,
Walter
W.
Cohen
of
Penns
sissippi,
where
lawyers
hired
by
Ating
our
requests
or
your
production
to
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donattopics,
like
defective
highway
guardsaid
th
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donattopics,
campaign
contributions
trialItpresenting
law
the
office
said
in
a statement.
ing
our
requests
your
production
to
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donattopics,
like
defective
highway
guardwith
aorshopping
list
of
possible
litigation
rom
law toperiod.
Mr.
Hood
hasattorneys
taken
in
in
said
this
mon
last
decade,
according
to
an
analysis
of
highest
standards
of
Houston-based
firm
Bailey
Baistate
seal. Peavy
also listed
Ms.
Singer’s
related
attorneys
general
over
the
sued
tothe
TransUnion
inPatri
July
m
offrom
pitches,
attorneys
general
ring
the
same
at
thetrial
were
attending
a dinner
for
newly
elect“I$395,000
fear
thatprofessionalism,”
I’m
now
you
with
related
to
attorneys
general
over
the
In
one
case,
astate
senior
partner
atstalking
the
“Iasaid
fear
that
I’m
now
stalking
yg
areer
attorneys
who
adhere
toa
the
ship
was
made
clear
in
subpoena
issubpoena,
embl
general
and
political
groups
Ms.
Singer
herself
has
made
dozens
emails
show.
rney
attorneys
general
“It
just
any
other
attorney
general.
tional
nia,
Grant
Woods
of
Arizona,
torney
General
Jim
Hood,
Democrat,
our
outside
counsel,”
aon
cover
letter
ed general.
at
least
$9.8
directly
to
they
important
public
matters,
or
they
are
tice,
saying
that
with
tight
budgets,
hiring
outrails
and
abuses
by
for-profit
colleges,
in
the
ed
at
least
$9.8
million
directly
to
state
rails
an
firms
over
the
last
decade,
more
than
our
outside
counsel,”
said
adata
cover
letter
edare
atmillion
least
million
directly
totrial
state
rails
and
abuses
bywith
for-profit
colleges,
more
than
telephone
number
and
address
in
in
the
lobby
last
decade,
according
to$9.8
an
analysis
of
ye,taken
Baied
attorneys
general.
“It
gets
you
past
a
my
voice
mail
messages
and
thought
I’d
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donattopics,
like
defective
highway
guardcampaign
contributions
from
law
campaign
finance
by
The
Times,
the
office
said
in
a
statement.
ley
donated
$125,000
to
Mr.
Hood
after
“Please
direct
any
ques
sw
a
shopping
list
of
possible
litigation
in
$395,000
in
last
decade,
according
to
an
analysis
of
Houston-based
firm
Bailey
Peavy
Baimy
voice
mail
messages
and
thou
highest
standards
of
professionalism,”
sued
to
TransUnion
in
July
2013.
state
seal.
It
also
list
related
to
attorneys
general
over
the
of
pitches,
presenting
attorneys
general
e,
aattorneys
senior
partner
at
the
related
to
attorne
dealing
w
“I
fear
that
I’m
now
stalking
you
with
nd. after
tort
In
one
case,
a
senior
partner
at
the
of
Rhode
Island,
Steve
Ss
have
collected
$57.5
million
in
fees
durWashington, in additionattorneys
to
information
campaign
finance
data
bypolitical
The Times,
on
the
subpoena,
emblazoned
with
the
general
and
groups
lot Lynch
of
difficult
questions.”
emails
show.
switch
media,”
Ms.emails
Singer
wrote
infian$9.8
on
the
subpoena,
emblazoned
with
the
Fort La
attorneys
general
and
political
groups
show.
general
and
political
groups
Fort
Lauderd
emails
any
other
attorney
general.
being
driven
more
by
potential
for
private
side
lawyers
is
often
the
only
tool
they
have
to
edanalysis
at
least
million
directly
to
state
rails
and
abuses
by
for-profit
colleges,
firms
over
the
last
decade,
more
than
with
more
than
76
percent
of
that
the
firm
filed
a attorney
lawsuit
on
behalf
of messages
the
ing
our
requests
or
your
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
have
donatem
topics,
like
defective
highway
guardbutions
from
trial
law
campaign
data
by
Times,
ley
donated
$125,000
to
Mr.
Hood
after
switch
media,”
Ms.
Singer
wrot
forstalking
a finance
state
official
helping
toThe
supervise
with
more
76
percent
ofthree
that
of firm
the
he
office
said
in
athan
statement.
Vermont’s
attorney
general,
William
telephone
number
ap
email
late
last
year
to
the
Washington
“Please
direct
any
questions
regardlast
decade,
according
to
an
ofnow
with
afirms
shopping
list
of
possible
litigation
d
Bailey
Peavy
Bailast
decade,
accord
Mike
Mes
my
voice
mail
and
thought
I’d
n
beHouston-based
firm
Bailey
Peavy
Baiwhere
they
pay
to
gain
access.
by
the
office
of
general
or
its
ror
state
seal.
ItIt
also
listed
Ms.
Singer’s
related
toyears
attorneys
general
over
the
Kansas,
Drew
Edmondson
of
Ok
ing
the
last
two
—
times
as
artner
at
the
were
attendin
“I
fear
that
I’m
you
with
state
seal.
also
listed
Ms.
Singer’s
related
to
attorneys
general
over
the
were
a
“I
fear
that
I’m
now
stalking
you
with
related
to
attorneys
general
over
the
In
one
case,
a
senior
partner
at
the
“I
fea
attorneys
general
and
political
groups
emails
show.
any
other
attorney
general.
the
case.
money
going tothan
Democrats.
money
going
to
Democrats.
maceuH.
Sorrell,
said
he
first
developed
a
state
against
Eli
Lilly,
the
pharmaceuState
attorney
general’s
office.
“Do
you
our
outside
counsel,”
said
a
ed
at
least
$9.8
million
directly
to
state
St
rails
and
abuses
by
for-profit
colleges,
ast
decade,
more
nancial
gain.”
achieve
rough
parity
with
the
army
of
corporate
with
more
than
76
percent
of
that
the
firm
filed
a
lawsuit
on
behalf
of
the
email
late
last
year
to
the
Was
Washington,
in
additio
ing
our
requests
or
your
production
to
campaign
finance
data
by
The
Times,
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donattelephone
number
and
address
in dozens
like
highway
guardlast
decade,
according
to
analysis
of voice
125,000
to
Mr.
aftertohas
campaign
finance
said
m
y now
Peavy
Baiswitch
media,”
Ms.
Singer
wrote
in
an
attorneys
mydefective
voice
mail
messages
and
thought
I’d
ley
donated
$125,000
toSinger
Mr.
Hood
after
career
attorneys
who
adhere
to
the
shi
ma,
Peg
Lautenschlager
of
Wisco
herself
has
made
asHood
Mr.one
Hood
onan
running
telephone
number
and
address
ined
last much
decade,
according
to
an
analysis
of topics,
edthis
atto
my
messages
and
thought
I’d
last
decade,
according
to
an
analysis
of
Houston-based
firm
Bailey
Peavy
Baimy
voic
Nevada
hired
her
firm
in
2009,
under
The financial
benefit
Mississippi’s
n 2010
friendship
with
Ms.
Madrid
when
theyyou
have
time
to
talk
in themail
next
few
weeks?
related
to
attorneys
general
over
theMs.
In
case,
aspent
senior
partner
atand
the
“I
fear
that
I’m
now
stalking
with
The
financial
benefit
to
Mississippi’s
tical
company,
litigation
that
in
2010
on
the
subpoena,
emblazo
attorneys
general
and
political
groups
ha
emails
show.
yar.
general.
money
going
to
Democrats.
state
against
Eli
Lilly,
the
pharmaceuWashington,
in
addition
to
information
campaign
finance
data
by
The
Times,
State
attorney
general’s
office.
“
Hood
after
lot
of
difficult
switch
media,”
Ms.
Singer
wrote
in
an
for
a
state
official
help
our
outside
counsel,”
said
a
cover
letter
with
more
than
76
percent
of
that
ed
at
least
$9.8
million
directly
to
state
rails
abuses
by
for-profit
colleges,
lawsuit
on
behalf
of
the
with
more
than
in
the
lobb
email
late
last
year
to
the
Washington
of
the
the
firm
filed
a
lawsuit
on
behalf
of
the
and
contingency
lawyer
contract
who
are
trying
toTimes,
blunt
a lawyers
contract
that
had ancampaign
exceptionally
highest
standards
of
professionalism,”
treasury
isEmails
also clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
officeTimes,
and
Mike
Moore
ofpart
Mississippi,
to the
ofaggressively
pitches,
presenting
general
his
state
office
during
the
same
period.
traveled
to
Israel
together
as
of an switch
I’d love to
pick
up the
thread
ofMs.
our conWashington,
invoice
addition
toattorneys
information
campaign
finance
data
by
The
lot ofsue
d
switch
media,”
Singer
wrote
inan
an
finance
data
by
The
ley
donated
$125,000
tomillion
Mr.
Hood
after
last
decade,
according
to
analysis
Houston-based
firm
Bailey
Peavy
Baimy
mail
messages
and
thought
I’d
treasury
is“Do
also
clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
office
generated
alast
$3.7
payment
the
state
seal.
Itgeneral.
also
listed
related
to
attorneys
general
over
the
for
aof
state
official
helping
to
supervise
I’
with
more
than
76
percent
of Democrats.
that
senior
partner
at
the
behalf
of
the
“IState
fear
that
I’m
now
stalking
you
with
Vermont’s
email
late
year
to
the
Washington
broad
mandate:
toto
seek
compensation
The
financial
benefit
to
Mississippi’s
tical
company,
litigation
that
in
2010
has
brought
in $400
million
over
the
last
sEli
now
official
delegation
of
attorneys
have
time
to
talk
in
the
next
few
versation
and
get
your
reaction
to
the
case.
on
the
subpoena,
emblazoned
with
the
money
going
to
attorneys
general
and
political
groups
emails
show.
Lilly,
the
pharmaceumoney
going
to
De
Fort
Laud
attorney
general’s
office.
you
their
state
against
Eli
Lilly,
the
pharmaceuthe
office
said
inthe
ato
statement.
“
also
pursued
or
struck
deals
with
st
with
a
shopping
list
of
possible
litigation
Mr.
Hood
has
taken
in
$395,000
in
for
a
state
official
helping
to
supervise
with
more
than
76
percent
of
that
Verm
email
late
last
year
the
Washington
with
more
than
76
percent
of
that
the
firm
filed
a
lawsuit
on
behalf
of
the
email
la
documents
obtained
by
The
Times
from
attorthe
lawsuits
—
in
court,
through
legislation
and
campaign
finance
data
by
The
Times,
for is
anyone
in“Do
the
state
whothe
wascase.
harmed
ley
donated
tothe
Mr.
Hood
after
decade
from
lawsuits
filed$125,000
with
the
help
switch
media,”
Ms.
wrote
in
an
money
going
to
Democrats.
firm,
He acknowledged
thatSinger
Ms.
Madrid
cases
wepayment
suggested.”
ey,
pharmaceuH.thread
Sorrell,
s
has
brought
in
$400
million
over
the
last
State
attorney
general’s
office.
you
lawyers.
Mr.
Hood
has
now
telephone
number
and
last
decade,
according
tooutside
an
analysis
ofstalking
ve
rm
Bailey
Peavy
Baimy
voice
mail
messages
and
thought
I’d
treasury
also
clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
office
generated
afrom
$3.7
million
to
the
I’d
love
to
pick
up
the
of
o
state
seal.
It
also
listed
Ms.
Singer’s
Nevada
hired
her
fir
elated
to
attorneys
general
over
The
financial
benefit
to
Mississippi’s
litigation
that
in
2010
were
atten
“I
fear
that
I’m
now
you
with
have
time
to
talk
in
the
next
few
weeks?
The
financial
be
laims
tical
company,
litigation
that
in
2010
ing
documents
obtained
by
The
T
Over
all,
plaintiffs’
firms
have
donattopics,
like
defective
highway
guardcampaign
contributions
trial
law
the
case.
money
going
to
Democrats.
H.
Sor
State
attorney
general’s
office.
“Do
you
money
going
to
Democrats.
as next
a result
of
fraudulent of
mortgage
lend-hired
of2010
outside
lawyers,
state
records
show. toon
Myers
state
against
Eli
Lilly,
the
played
afirm
role
in 2009,
pitching
the
case,
but
State w
at
Mr. King
andthe
other
attorneys
general
Nevada
her
in
under
The
financial
benefit
Mississippi’s
that to
in Mr.
with
than
76
percent
that
friendship
have
time
tomore
talk
in
the
few
weeks?
the
firm
filed
aanalysis
lawsuit
behalf
of
email
late
last
year
to
the
Washington
neys
general
in
15
states
show
how
these
alliancinpharmaceuelections
inup
which
they
target
certain
attordecade
from
lawsuits
filed
with
the
help
signed
acorporations
second
contract
with
the
firm,
Washington,
in
addition
to
campaign
finance
data
by
Times,
ca
000
Hood
after
switch
media,”
Ms.
wrote
in
an
has
brought
in
$400
million
over
the
last
outside
lawyers.
Mr.
Hood
has
now
versation
get
your
telephone
number
and
address
in
aand
contract
that
had
a
ast
decade,
according
to
an
ofHood’s
treasury
is
also
clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
office
3.7
million
payment
to
the
ing
practices.
And
Ms.
Singer
negotiated
attorne
my
voice
mail
messages
and
thought
I’d
I’d
love
to
pick
the
thread
of
our
conisreaction
also
cle
generated
a Singer
$3.7
million
payment
to
the
The
boom
in
the
law
said
he
agreed
to
the
deal
only
because
our
show.
Several
oftreasury
them
work
simp
ed
atThe
least
$9.8
million
directly
to
state
say
lawsuits
against
major
rails
and
abuses
by
for-profit
colleges,
firms
over
the
last
decade,
more
than
Nevada
hired
her
firm
in
2009,
under
The
financial
benefit
to
Mississippi’s
friends
have
time
to
talk
in
the
next
few
weeks?
financial
benefit
to
Mississippi’s
tical
company,
litigation
that
in
2010
aThe
contract
that
had
an
exceptionally
treasury
iscontingency
also
clear.
Mr.
office
have
tim
ayment
to
the
traveled
to
Is
I’d
love
to
pick
up
the
thread
of
our
conmoney
going
to
Democrats.
state
against
Eli
Lilly,
the
pharmaceuState
attorney
general’s
office.
“Do
you
of
outside
lawyers,
state
records
show.
to
sue
the
drug
company
Bristol-Myers
for
a
state
official
helping
with
more
than
76
percent
of
that
ed
a
settlement
with
Bank
of
America
awsuit
on
behalf
the
email
late
last
year
to
the
Washington
business
hasof
been
driven
inThe
part
by
for- contract
it will
help
Vermont
bring
in
the
largest
yampaign
sugdecade
from
lawsuits
filed
with
the
help
signed
a
second
with
the
firm,
or
industry
sectors
can
require
the
hircases
we
suggested.”
es
have
scrambled
roles
in
the
legal
profession.
neys
general
for
defeat.
Washington,
in
addition
to
information
broad
mandate:
to
see
finance
data
by
Times,
has
brought
in
$400
million
over
the
last
ers.
Mr.
Hood
has
now
lot
of
diffic
switch
media,”
Ms.
Singer
wrote
in
an
has
brought
in
$400
versation
and
get
your
reaction
to
the
outside
lawyers.
Mr.
Hood
has
now
d
the
on
brokers,
earning
a
commission
jus
attorneys
general
and
political
groups
emails
show.
other
attorney
general.
abroad
contract
that
an
exceptionally
mandate:
tohad
seek
compensation
treasury
istical
also
clear. like
Mr.
Hood’s
office
has
brought
in $400
million
over
thegenerated
last2010
ood
hasany
now
travele
official
deleg
I’d
love
toapick
up
the
of our
conversation
and
getthread
your
reaction
to
the
is have
also
clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
office
$3.7
million
payment
toto
the
I’d
love
that
generated
anMississippi’s
extratreasury
$38
million
for
mer
attorneys
general
Ms.
Singer
possible
recovery.
en
out
The
financial
benefit
company,
litigation
that
in
time
to
talk
inand
the
next
few
weeks?
ing
of expert
witnesses
and
produce
Squibb.
The
boom
in
the
contingency
law
the
case.
money
going
to
Democrats.
Lilly,
the
saw
State
attorney
general’s
office.
“Do
you
ofhelp
outside
lawyers,
state
records
show.
to
sue
the
drug
company
Bristol-Myers
Mr.
King
other
attorneys
afor
state
official
to
supervise
for
anyone
in
the
state
with
more
than
76
percent
of
that
decade
from
filed
with
the
nd
contract
with
the
firm,
Vermon
email
late
last
year
theHood
Washington
from
lawsu
cases
we
suggested.”
signed
a for
second
contract
with
the
firm,
anyone
the
state
who
was
harmed
dgets,
decade
from
lawsuits
filed
with
the
help
sta
with
the
firm,
helping
to
pitch
adecade
case.
related
to suggested.”
attorneys
general
over
the
He
acknowl
cases
we
Inpharmaceuone
case,
amillion
senior
partner
at lawsuits
the
broad
mandate:
to
seek
compensation
“I
fear
that
I’m
now
stalking
you
with
brought
in
$400
over
the
last
Nevada,
and
$5.6
million
for
her
firm
— inin
Private
lawyers
whose
traditional
work
has
In
no
place
has
the
contingency-fee
pracofficial
who
have
capitalized
on
personal
relaherhas
or
versation
and
get
your
reaction
to
the
“An
office
my
size
to
take
on
a
major
has
brought
$400
million
over
the
last
outside
lawyers.
Mr.
has
now
hundreds
ofto
thousands
of
pages
ofto
docuversatio
treasury
is
also
clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
office
generated
a
$3.7
million
payment
the
I’d
love
to
pick
up
the
thread
of
our
conbusiness
has
been
driven
in
part
by
forMr.
Hood’s
office
rejected
any
sugNevada
hired
her
firm
in
The
financial
benefit
to
Mississippi’s
itigation
that
in
2010
or
have
time
to
talk
in
the
next
few
weeks?
Squibb.
The
boom
in
the
contingency
law
as
a
result
of
fraudulent
mortgage
lendsay
lawsuits
against
major
corpo
reflecting
a
15
percent
fee.
the
case.
as
a
result
of
fraudulen
money
going
to
Democrats.
of
outside
lawyers,
state
records
show.
of outside
lawyers,
state
records
show.
played
a role
tionships
with
former
colleagues
that
mpaign
gonly
company
Bristol-Myers
company
or
aMadrid
whole
industry,
like
the
oil
H.
Sorrell
State
attorney
general’s
office.
of
outside
lawyers,
Mr.
King
and
other
attorneys
general
toyou
sue
the
drug
company
Bristol-Myers
ments
that
must
be
reviewed.
All
of this
eBristol-Myers
Mr.
King
andof
other
attorneys
general
tel
last
decade,
according
to“Do
an
analysis
Ms.
has
flown
around
Houston-based
firm
Bailey
Peavy
Baifor
anyone
inlawsuits
the
state
who
was
harmed
my
voice
mail
messages
and
thought
I’d
decade
from
lawsuits
filed
with
the
help
He
ac
cases
we
suggested.”
decade
from
filed
with
the
help
signed
aor
second
contract
with
the
firm,
cases
we
filing
class-action
tort
claims
securities
tice
flourished
more
than
inconMississippi,
where
hasthat
brought
in
$400
million
over
the
last
outside
lawyers.
Mr.
Hood
has
now
versation
and
get
your
reaction
toagree
the
She
was
also
successful
in
adding
to
mer
attorneys
general
like
Ms.
Singer
gestion
the
contracts
are
given
out
a
contract
that
had
an
theybeen
have
nurtured
since
leaving
office,
cycle
treasury
is
also
clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
office
industry,
is
David
versus
Goliath,
times
million
payment
to
the
in
I’d
love
to
pick
up
the
thread
of
our
comes
at law
a the
high
cost,
and
outside
lawing
practices.
And
Ms.
Singer
negotiatbusiness
has
been
driven
in
part
by
forMr.
Hood’s
office
rejected
any
sugThe
boom
in
the
contingency
said
he
say
lawsuits
against
major
corporations
or
industry
sectors
can
require
ing
practices.
And
Ms.
Nevada
hired
her
firm
in
2009,
under
The
financial
benefit
to
Mississippi’s
The
boom
in
contingency
law
friendship
have
time
to
talk
in
the
next
few
weeks?
Squibb.
parity
The
boom
inWa
t
say
against
major
corporations
campaign
finance
data
bylawsuits
The
Times,
country
with
her
husband
a
ley
donated
$125,000
tocontract
Mr. show.
Hood
after
aswitch
result
of
fraudulent
mortgage
media,”
Ms.
Singer
wrote
in
an(also
of outside
records
played
of
outside
lawyers,
state
records
show.
Mr.
King
and
other
attorneys
general
to
sue
the
drug
company
Bristol-Myers
Mr.
K
her
nursing
home
case
inas
New
Mexico
often
atlawyers,
resort
destination
conferences
made
10,”
said
Mr.
Sorrell,
who
haslenda staff
of
yers
can
foot
thegiven
bills
upfront.
decade
from
lawsuits
filed
with
the
help
signed
astate
second
with
the
firm,
cases
we
suggested.”
ed
aAttorney
settlement
with
Bank
ofed
America
who
have
capitalized
on
relain
exchange
for
donations.
“Whether
or
broad
mandate:
to
seek
cp
business
has
been
driven
inindividuals
part
by
forittraveled
will
help
Ve
has
brought
in
$400
million
over
thethe
last
ted
sugMr.anyHood
has
now
hu
versation
and
get
your
reaction
to
the
or
industry
sectors
can
require
the
hircases
on
behalf
ofcontracts
or
groups
are
lawyers
hired
by
General
Jim
Hood,
mer
attorneys
general
Ms.
Singer
gestion
that
the
are
out
ing
of
expert
witnesses
and
apersonal
settlement
with
B
a like
contract
that
had
an
exceptionally
isfraud
also
clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
office
business
has
been
driven
in
part
by
foroffice
rejected
any
sugto
I’d
love
to
pick
up
thread
of
our
consreasury
who
business
has
been
Mr.
office
rejected
any
sugor
industry
sectors
can
require
the
hirfor
with
more
than
76
percent
of
that
yer),
acting
as
a
broker
to
solicit
by
persuading
theHood’s
attorney
general
of
the
firm
filed
a
lawsuit
on
behalf
of
the
ing
practices.
And
Ms.
Singer
negotiatemail
late
last
year
to
the
Washington
about
80
lawyers.
The
boom
in
the
contingency
law
said
he
“It’s
one
of
the
only
tools
I
have
to
Squibb.
say
lawsuits
against
major
corporations
The
boom
in
the
contingency
law
say
law
of
outside
lawyers,
state
records
show.
that
generated
an
extra
$38
million
for
sue
the
drug
company
Bristol-Myers
mer
attorneys
general
like
Ms. Singer
reco
are brought
given with
outinto
Mr.
King
and
other
attorneys
general
ing
ofget
expert
witnesses
and
produce
tionships
with
former
colleagues
that
not
individual
makes
asuggested.”
campaign
for
anyone
inattorneys
the
state
who
decade
from
lawsuits
filed
with
the
help
contract
the
firm,
mo
cases
we
who
have
capitalized
on
personal
relain
exchange
for
donations.
“Whether
or
Pennsylvania
to sign
a contingency-fee
hundreds
of
thousands
ofan
pages
that
generated
extr
broad
mandate:
to
seek
compensation
has
$400
million
over
the
last
attorneys
like
Ms.
Singer
he
contracts
are
given
out
official
de
level
thegeneral
playing
field
on
behalf
of
conversation
and
your
reaction
toof
the
e
lawmer
gen
gestion
that
the
contracts
are
given
out
now
often
operating
with
the
power
ofan
the
state,
ing
expert
witnesses
and
produce
the
aof
Democrat,
have
collected
$57.5
million
inpossible
money
going
to
Democrats.
ness.
They
traveled
early
this
ye
state
against
Eli
Lilly,
the
pharmaceued
a
settlement
with
Bank
of
America
State
attorney
general’s
office.
“Do
you
business
has
been
driven
inmer
part
by
foritoffice
will
h
or
industry
sectors
can
require
the
hirbusiness
has
been
driven
in
part
by—offorMr.
Hood’s
office
rejected
any
sugNevada,
and
$5.6
million
for
her
firm
or
indu
who
have
capitalized
on
personal
rela“Whether
or
“An
hundreds
of
thousands
pages
of
docuSquibb.
The
boom
in
the
contingency
law
aintiffs’
Lawyers
contract
pressing
similar
claims.
say
lawsuits
against
major
corporations
they
have
nurtured
since
leaving
office,
contribution
during
an
election
cycle
as
a
result
fraudulent
m
of
outside
lawyers,
state
records
show.
ompany
Bristol-Myers
sumers,
given
the
significant
financial
co
Mr.
King
and
other
attorneys
general
tionships
with
former
colleagues
that
not
an
individual
makes
a
campaign
Nevada,
and
$5.6
millio
ments
that
must
be
reviewed.
Al
for
anyone
in
the
state
who
was
harmed
‘Like
a
Family
Party’
decade
from
lawsuits
filed
with
the
help
who
have
capitalized
on
personal
relaor
donations.
“Whether
or
He
ackno
cases
we
suggested.”
naand
who
have
capitaliz
in
exchange
for
donations.
“Whether
or
hundreds
of
thousands
of
pages
of
docuN
Vermont
on
behalf
of
the
Texas-b
The
financial
benefit
to
Mississippi’s
tical
company,
litigation
that
in
2010
that
generated
an
extra
$38
million
for
have
time
to
talk
in
the
next
few
weeks?
mer
attorneys
general
like
Ms.
Singer
possibl
reflecting
a
15
percent
fee.
ing
of
expert
witnesses
and
produce
mer
attorneys
general
like
Ms.
Singer
tionships
with
former
colleagues
that
gestion
that
the
contracts
are
given
out
campaign
company
or
a
In
many
of
those
cases,
Ms.
Singer’s
substantially
increasing
their
chance
for
success
fees
during
the
last
two
years
—
three
times
ments
that
must
be been
reviewed.
All of
this
ing
ofye
firepower
that
big
pharma,
big banking
business
has
driven
insince
part
by
forMr.
Hood’s
office
rejected
any
sugor
sectors
can
require
theoutsi
hiroften
at industry
resort
destination
conferences
has
no
bearing
on
any
decisions
made
ing
practices.
And
Ms.
Sin
ly outside
team makes
up with
Democratic
state
attorneys
general
The
boom
inan
the
contingency
law
say
lawsuits
against
major
they
have
nurtured
leaving
office,
contribution
during
election
cycle
reflecting
a—
15
percent
fe
comes
at
aher
high
cost,
and
as
aNevada,
result
of
fraudulent
mortgage
lendof
lawyers,
state
records
show.
tionships
with
former
colleagues
that
dual
a they
campaign
played
r
ertain
tionships
with
for
not
individual
makes
a of
campaign
legal
theory,
atan
least
initially,
had
acorporations
geOne
night
last
week
at&
the
restaurant
Mr.
King
and
other
attorneys
general
ments
that
must
be
reviewed.
All
this
aa D
law
firm
Baron
Budd
and
success
treasury
is
also
clear.
Mr.
Hood’s
office
She
was
also
successful
in
adding
to
generated
a
$3.7
million
payment
to
the
and
$5.6
million
for
firm
I’d
love
to
pick
up
the
thread
of
our
conhave
nurtured
since
leaving
office,
lection
cycle
industry,
is
whoare
have
capitalized
on
personal
relaand
any
number
of
other
industries
“An
comes
at
a
high
cost,
and
outside
lawwho
have
capitalized
on
personal
relahundreds
of
thousands
of
pages
of
docuin
exchange
for
donations.
“Whether
or
hundred
inesses,
often
also
major
political
donors.
mer
attorneys
general
like
Ms.
Singer
gestion
that
the
contracts
are
given
outinsaid.
ing
of
expert
and
produce
ed
aWashington,
settlement
with
Bank
business
has
been
driven
part
by
forice
rejected
any
sugneric
quality.
In
New
Mexico,
she
and
Rosa
Mexicano
inwitnesses
as
maror
industry
sectors
can
require
the
hiroften
at
resort
destination
conferences
has
no
bearing
on
any
decisions
made
ing
practices.
And
Ms.
Singer
negotiatShe
was
also
succes
yers
can
foot
the
bills
upfront.
have,”
Mr.
King
“The
attorney
they
have
nurtured
since
leaving
office,
The
boom
in
the
contingency
law
during
an
election
cycle
said
he
ag
her
nursing
home
case
in
New
Mexico
they
have
nurtured
often
at
resort
destination
conferences
contribution
during
an
election
cycle
cisions
made
10,”
said
Mr.
say
lawsuits
against
major
corporations
bro
comes
at
a
high
cost,
and
outside
lawpitched
the
firm
to
the
staff
of
th
has
brought
in
$400
million
over
the
last
outside
lawyers.
Mr.
Hood
has
now
yers
can
foot
the
bills
upfront.
reflecting
a
15
percent
fee.
versation
and
get
your
reaction
to
the
with
former
colleagues
that
ifiedtionships
from records in
states
— have
contributed,
compa
tionships
with
former
colleagues
that
ments
must
bemakes
reviewed.
Allended
of this
not
an
individual
campaign
ments
t
thea of
state
up suing
a different
garitas
flowed
and trays
of of
shrimp
and of
who
have
capitalized
on
personal
relain13exchange
donations.
“Whether
orthat
hundreds
ofmade
thousands
pages
docuthat
generated
an
extra
$3
general
is
virtually
the
only
protection
mer
attorneys
general
like
Ms.
Singer
are
given
out
ing
expert
and
produce
by
persuading
the
attorney
general
ofold
ed
aone
settlement
with
Bank
of
America
her
nursing
home
case
80
lawy
“It’s
one
of
the
only
tools
Ile
eontracts
four
different
channels.
often
at
resort
destination
conferences
business
has
been
driven
infor
part
by
forgthrough
on
any
decisions
made
it
will
help
often
at
resort
des
“It’s
one
of
the
only
tools
I cycle
have
to
has
no witnesses
bearing
on
any
decisions
cy-fee
or contribution
industry
sectors
can
require
the
hirfor
yers
can
foot
the
bills
upfront.
torney
general,
an
friend,
to
r
decade
from
lawsuits
filed
with
the
help
signed
a second
contract
with
the
She
was
also
successful
in
adding
toabout
cases
we
suggested.”
they
have
nurtured
since
leaving
office,
industr
company
altogether
—they
based
in
chicken
skewers
were
passed,
the
have
nurtured
since
leaving
office,
during
an
election
comes
atagainst
ationships
high
cost,
and
outside
lawcomes
theafirm,
consumer
has
abuse
by
with
former
colleagues
that
not
an individual
makes
campaign
Political
Gifts
from
Plaintiffs’
Lawyers
ments
that
must
be reviewed.
All
of this
Nevada,
and
$5.6netmillion
foa
days
ng Big
byPaydays
Coaxingby
Attorneys
Coaxing General
Attorneys
to Gener
Sue
as much as Mr. Hood has spent on running his
state office during the same period.
Mr. Hood has taken in $395,000 in campaign
contributions from trial law firms over the last
decade, more than any other attorney general.
In one case, a senior partner at the Houston-based firm Bailey Peavy Bailey donated
$125,000 to Mr. Hood after the firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state against Eli Lilly, the
pharmaceutical company, litigation that in 2010
generated a $3.7 million payment to the outside
lawyers. Mr. Hood has now signed a second
contract with the firm, to sue the drug company
Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Mr. Hood’s office rejected any suggestion
that the contracts are given out in exchange for
donations. “Whether or not an individual makes
a campaign contribution during an election cycle has no bearing on any decisions made by the
office of attorney general or its career attorneys
who adhere to the highest standards of professionalism,” the office said in a statement.
Over all, plaintiffs’ firms have donated at
least $9.8 million directly to state attorneys
general and political groups related to attorneys general over the last decade, according
to an analysis of campaign finance data by The
Times, with more than 76 percent of that money
going to Democrats.
The financial benefit to Mississippi’s treasury is also clear. Mr. Hood’s office has brought
in $400 million over the last decade from lawsuits filed with the help of outside lawyers,
state records show.
The boom in the contingency law business
has been driven in part by former attorneys
general like Ms. Singer who have capitalized on
personal relationships with former colleagues
that they have nurtured since leaving office,
often at resort destination conferences where
they pay to gain access.
Ms. Singer herself has made dozens of
pitches, presenting attorneys general with a
shopping list of possible litigation topics, like
defective highway guardrails and abuses by forprofit colleges, emails show.
“I fear that I’m now stalking you with my
voice mail messages and thought I’d switch media,” Ms. Singer wrote in an email late last year
to the Washington State attorney general’s office.
“Do you have time to talk in the next few weeks?
I’d love to pick up the thread of our conversation
and get your reaction to the cases we suggested.”
Mr. King and other attorneys general say
lawsuits against major corporations or industry sectors can require the hiring of expert witnesses and produce hundreds of thousands of
pages of documents that must be reviewed. All
of this comes at a high cost, and outside lawyers can foot the bills upfront.
“It’s one of the only tools I have to level the
playing field on behalf of consumers, given the
significant financial firepower that big pharma,
big banking and any number of other industries
have,” Mr. King said. “The attorney general is
virtually the only protection the consumer has
against abuse by those industries.”
But some of his colleagues remain sharply
critical of the practice.
“Farming out the police powers of the state
to a private firm with a profit incentive is a very,
very bad thing,” said Attorney General John
Suthers of Colorado, a Republican and a former
United States attorney.
A Lawyer’s Plea
For Ellen F. Rosenblum, a Democrat who
was the newly elected attorney general of Oregon, November 2012 had been a particularly
busy month. She was investigating allegations
of ballot tampering, and, on a personal level, her
daughter’s wedding was approaching.
But Ms. Singer was determined to get on the
attorney general’s calendar to pitch her cases.
“I am delighted to be able to write with
congratulations on your election, as well as
a more mundane follow-up,” Ms. Singer said
in an email during the Thanksgiving holiday
weekend in 2012. “I am eager to pick up our
conversation at your convenience.”
The exchange echoed pleas that Ms.
Singer sent to attorneys general — almost all
Democrats — in Arizona, Connecticut, Nevada,
New Mexico, New York and Washington State
as she worked to team up with them on major
civil cases with her firm, Cohen Milstein. Many
of the pitches generated no new deals. Ms.
Rosenblum, for example, has not given her a
contract so far. But a single case can generate
millions in payments to her firm.
Though Ms. Singer, 48, served just a year as
attorney general in the District of Columbia, she
had a long prior tenure in public service jobs,
and she referred to her work at Cohen Milstein
tionships with former colleagues that
they have nurtured since leaving office,
often at resort destination conferences
not an individual makes a campaign
contribution during an election cycle
has no bearing on any decisions made
Political Gifts from Plaintiffs’ Lawyers
Plaintiffs’ law firms, which commonly team up with Democratic state attorneys general
to file lucrative lawsuits against businesses, are often also major political donors.
Below, amounts that firms — identified from records in 13 states — have contributed,
at a minimum, over the past decade through four different channels.
Where the Money Goes
RECIPIENT
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM LAW FIRMS SINCE 2004
Attorneys general
associations
Dem.
Political organizations supporting
the election of attorneys general
Rep.
Candidates
$1,570,000
To candidates currently in office
Includes incumbents, challengers
and candidates for open attorney
general seats
Dem.
State party committees
Dem.
In 24 states
Rep.
Attorneys general
running for governor
Dem.
Contributions to campaigns
$3,797,000
ments that must be revie
comes at a high cost, an
yers can foot the bills upf
“It’s one of the only
level the playing field on
sumers, given the signi
firepower that big pharm
and any number of ot
have,” Mr. King said.
general is virtually the
the consumer has aga
those industries.”
But some of his coll
sharply critical of the pra
“Farming out the polic
state to a private firm w
centive is a very, very b
Attorney General John S
rado, a Republican and a
States attorney.
Rep.
Rep.
A Lawyer’s Plea
$1,959,000
$240,000
$1,481,000
$445,000
$288,000
$75,000
Where the Money Comes From
AMOUNT
CONTRIBUTED
SINCE 2004
TOP CONTRIBUTORS
LITIGATION
AREAS INCLUDE:
Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann
Securities
$1,449,000
Labaton Sucharow
Securities
1,239,000
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check
Prescription drug
marketing, securities
1,038,000
Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer
Securities
847,000
Grant & Eisenhofer
Securities
533,000
Baron & Budd
BP oil spill, credit card
industry, M.T.B.E., prescription
drug marketing
490,000
Bailey Peavy Bailey
Prescription drug marketing
460,000
Chitwood Harley Harnes
Securities
400,000
Nix Patterson & Roach
BP oil spill, securities
300,000
Entwistle & Cappucci
Securities
295,000
Notes: Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand. Firm names are as of the latest contribution made. The firms
included in contribution totals are those that were found to have contracted with at least one of the following 13
states that had records available: Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New
Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington.
The Republican Attorneys General Association figure includes contributions to the Republican State Leadership
Committee, which it broke off from in Jan. 2014.
Sources: CQ Roll Call; National Institute on Money in State Politics; state governments
THE NEW YORK TIMES
For Ellen F. Rosenblu
who was the newly el
general of Oregon, Nove
been a particularly bus
was investigating allega
tampering, and, on a per
daughter’s wedding was
But Ms. Singer was de
on the attorney genera
pitch her cases.
“I am delighted to be
with congratulations on
as well as a more mund
Ms. Singer said in an em
Thanksgiving holiday w
“I am eager to pick up ou
at your convenience.”
The exchange echoed
Singer sent to attorneys
most all Democrats — in
necticut, Nevada, New
York and Washington
worked to team up with
civil cases with her fir
stein. Many of the pitche
new deals. Ms. Rosenblu
has not given her a contr
single case can genera
payments to her firm.
Though Ms. Singer, 48
year as attorney genera
of Columbia, she had a lo
in public service jobs, an
to her work at Cohen Mi
tension of her commitm
the public good.
“There is not a bit o
anything we do here,” sh
terview in her Washingto
Hers is an expansiv
cases. Mississippi hired
an investigation by the st
it ratings agencies Expe
Union, which was based
tion that they knowing
elathat
ice,
nces
eral
ed,
000
UNT
TED
004
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
ms
TIMES
ing of expert witnesses and produce
Nevada, and $5.6 million for her firm —
“An office my size to take on a major
hundreds of thousands of pages of docureflecting a 15 percent fee.
company or a whole industry, like the oil
ments that must be reviewed. All of this
She was also successful in adding to
industry, is David versus Goliath, times
comes at a high cost, and outside lawas
an
extension
of
her
commitment
to serving
notinhave
enough staff
members.
But
her
nursing
home case
New Mexico
10,” said
Mr. Sorrell,
whothe
hascoma staff of
yers can foot the bills upfront.
by
persuading
the
attorney
general
of
about
80
lawyers.
“It’s
one
of
the
only
tools
I
have
to
the public good.
plaint, which named Preferred Care Partners
Pennsylvania to sign a contingency-fee
level the“There
playing is
field
con- about
notona behalf
bit of of
shame
anything
Management Group of Plano, Tex., among othcontract pressing similar claims.
sumers, given the significant financial
a Family
Party’
we dothat
here,”
she said
in an interview
inofher
ers, is
now
backed‘Like
up with
specific
allegations
In many
those cases,
Ms.
Singer’s
firepower
big pharma,
big banking
legal theory, at least of
initially,
had a ge- of One
night last
week at
restaurant
mistreatment
patients,
based
onthe
“confiandWashington
any numberoffice.
of other industries
neric
quality.
In
New
Mexico,
she
and
Rosa
Mexicano
in
Washington,
as marhave,” Mr.
King
said.
“The
attorney
Hers is an expansive portfolio of cases. Mis- dential witnesses.”
the
state
ended
up
suing
a
different
garitas
flowed
and
trays
of
shrimp
and
general is virtually the only protection
sissippi hired her to handle an investigation
by
Mr. based
King acknowledged
that were
the lawsuit
re- netcompany altogether
— one
in
chicken skewers
passed, the
the consumer has against abuse by
theindustries.”
state of the credit ratings agencies
liedPennsylvaniaon a novel claim,
developed
through the use
Texas,Experian
instead of the
work
between contingency-fee
lawyers
those
chain
that Ms. of
Singer
had identiand Democratic
attorneys
general was
andsome
TransUnion,
which was
basedbased
on an
allegaBut
of his colleagues
remain
a software
program,
that estimated
resident
in a draft complaint she initially
on vivid display.
sharply
critical
of the
practice. included fied
tion that
they
knowingly
errors intotheir
harm based on the ratio
betweenwas
nurse’s
provided
Mr.
King.
The restaurant
closedaides
for a pri“Farming out the police powers of the
credit
files.
The
relationship
was
made
clear
in
and
residents.
But
Mr.
King
said
that
because
“We
go
where
the
evidence
leads,
and
vate
holiday
party
hosted
by the Demostate to a private firm with a profit inno
place2013.
else,” Ms.Cohen
Singer Milstein
said, ex- was
cratic
Attorneys
General
a subpoena
to thing,”
TransUnion
in July
covering
most
of theAssociation.
cost,
centive
is a very,issued
very bad
said
plaining
the
change.
These
plaintiffs’
firms
Attorney
General John
Suthers
“Please
direct
anyof Coloquestions regarding there was little risk to the state, addinghave
thatdonated
he
The new case still relies primarily on
more than $3.8 million to the group over
rado,
a
Republican
and
a
former
United
our requests or your production to
our outside
was receptive
of what
the approach
last decade,because
money that
has been
a calculation
suggesting
that the 11to this
States attorney.
on in chunks
to of
Democrats
nursing
homes did he
not said
havehad
enough
counsel,” said a cover letter on the
subpoena,
been apassed
disturbing
pattern
abuse to
helphomes.
them with their re-election bids.
members.
complaint,
emblazoned
with the state seal. staff
It also
listed Butin the
his state’s
nursing
A Lawyer’s
Plea
which named Preferred Care Partners
Ms. Singer, along with lawyers from
Ms. Singer’s telephone number Management
and address
in America
a good
way the
Group of “The
Plano,court
Tex.,system
at least
nine otherisfirms,
worked
For Ellen F. Rosenblum, a Democrat
in Washington, in addition to information
for ais now
to backed
determine
if that
is achatting
sufficient
argument,”
among others,
up with
crowd,
up the
attorneys genwho was the newly elected attorney
specific
allegations of
mistreatment
stateofofficial
to supervise
the case.
Mr.
King said.of eral from Vermont, Virginia and other
general
Oregon,helping
November
2012 had
patients, based on “confidential witstates, while Marlon E. Kimpson, a lawbeen a Nevada
particularly
busy
She2009,
hired
hermonth.
firm in
under a conMs. Singer’s firm
does not have the field to
nesses.”
yer from Motley Rice, which focuses on
was
investigating
of ballot broad mandate:
tract
that hadallegations
an exceptionally
itself. Former attorneys general, including Patritampering, and, on a personal level, her
to seekwedding
compensation
for anyone
daughter’s
was approaching.
in Ms.
the Singer
state was
who
was harmed
But
determined
to get as
on atheresult
attorney
general’s
calendar
to
of fraudulent mortgage
pitch her cases.
lending practices. And Ms. Singer
“I am delighted to be able to write
negotiated
a settlement
with Bank
with
congratulations
on your election,
as of
wellAmerica
as a morethat
mundane
follow-up,”
generated
an exMs.tra
Singer
said
in
an
email
during
the
$38 million for Nevada, and
Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2012.
$5.6
million
forupher
— reflect“I am eager
to pick
our firm
conversation
ing aconvenience.”
15 percent fee.
at your
The exchange
echoed
that Ms. in
She was
alsopleas
successful
Singer
sent
to
attorneys
general
— al-case
adding to her nursing home
most all Democrats — in Arizona, Conin New
Mexico
by Mexico,
persuading
necticut,
Nevada,
New
New the
York
and
Washington
State
as
she
attorney general of Pennsylvania
worked
to
team
up
with
them
on
major
to sign a contingency-fee contract
civil cases with her firm, Cohen Milpressing
claims.
stein.
Many ofsimilar
the pitches
generated no
In Ms.
many
of those
cases, Ms.
new deals.
Rosenblum,
for example,
BENJAMIN RUSNAK FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
hasSinger’s
not given her
a
contract
so
far.
But a inilegal theory, at least
BROKER Patricia A. Madrid, a former New Mexico attorney general,
single case can generate millions in
tially, had a generic quality. In with her husband, Mike Messina, helps law firms get state business.
payments to her firm.
New Mexico,
and the
Though
Ms. Singer,she
48, served
just state
a
year
as attorney
generala indifferent
the District
ended
up suing
comof Columbia,
she had a long
pany altogether
— prior
one tenure
based in
in public service jobs, and she referred
Texas,
instead
of
the
Pennsylvato her work at Cohen Milstein as an exnia-based
chain that toMs.
Singer
tension
of her commitment
serving
thehad
public
good.
identified
in a draft complaint
“There
is not aprovided
bit of shame
about
she initially
to Mr.
King.
anything we do here,” she said in an in“We
go
where
the
evidence
terview in her Washington office.
leads,isand
place else,”
Ms. Singer
Hers
an no
expansive
portfolio
of
cases.
hired
to handle
said,Mississippi
explaining
the her
change.
an investigation by the state of the credThe new case still relies pri- CROWDED FIELD From left, former Attorneys General Peg Lautenit ratings agencies Experian and Transmarily
onwas
a calculation
suggest- schlager of Wisconsin, Mike Moore of Mississippi and Steve Six of
Union, which
based on an allegationing
that
they
knowingly
included
er- did
Kansas, who have helped pursue or strike deals with states on suits.
that the 11 nursing homes
cia A. Madrid of New Mexico, Walter W. Cohen of
Pennsylvania, Grant Woods of Arizona, Patrick
C. Lynch of Rhode Island, Steve Six of Kansas,
Drew Edmondson of Oklahoma, Peg Lautenschlager of Wisconsin and Mike Moore of Mississippi, have also pursued or struck deals with
states, documents obtained by The Times show.
Several of them work simply as brokers, earning
a commission just for helping to pitch a case.
Ms. Madrid has flown around the country
with her husband (also a lawyer), acting as a
broker to solicit business. They traveled early
this year to Vermont on behalf of the Texasbased law firm Baron & Budd and successfully
pitched the firm to the staff of the attorney general, an old friend, to represent the state in a
lawsuit against oil companies over allegations
that a fuel additive caused groundwater contamination. Ms. Madrid will earn a fee for helping to sell the job.
“It just gives credibility when you are dealing with someone that you know,” Mike Messina, Ms. Madrid’s husband, said this month
while sitting on a couch in the lobby of the RitzCarlton hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where
the couple were attending a dinner for newly
elected attorneys general. “It gets you past a lot
of difficult questions.”
Vermont’s attorney general, William H. Sorrell, said he first developed a friendship with Ms.
Madrid when they traveled to Israel together as
part of an official delegation of attorneys general. He acknowledged that Ms. Madrid played
a role in pitching the case, but said he agreed to
the deal only because it will help Vermont bring
in the largest possible recovery.
“An office my size to take on a major company or a whole industry, like the oil industry,
is David versus Goliath, times 10,” said Mr. Sorrell, who has a staff of about 80 lawyers.
‘Like a Family Party’
One night last week at the restaurant Rosa
Mexicano in Washington, as margaritas flowed
and trays of shrimp and chicken skewers were
passed, the network between contingency-fee
lawyers and Democratic attorneys general was
on vivid display.
The restaurant was closed for a private
holiday party hosted by the Democratic Attorneys General Association. These plaintiffs’
firms have donated more than $3.8 million to
the group over the last decade, money that has
been passed on in chunks to Democrats to help
them with their re-election bids.
Ms. Singer, along with lawyers from at least
nine other firms, worked the crowd, chatting
up the attorneys general from Vermont, Virginia and other states, while Marlon E. Kimpson, a lawyer from Motley Rice, which focuses
on securities litigation, introduced himself to
the new attorneys general from Maryland and
New Mexico. The event was co-sponsored by
the law firm Kaplan Fox, which just secured a
multimillion-dollar payout after suing the mortgage giant Fannie Mae on behalf of the State of
Tennessee.
“It was like a family party,” said one lawyer
who attended and who requested anonymity because it was a private event.
That is precisely the kind of coziness that
has driven corporations to marshal a counteroffensive by challenging on multiple fronts attorneys general who hire contingency lawyers.
Darrell McGraw, who collected more than
$2 billion worth of settlements in partnership
with contingency-fee lawyers during his tenure
as West Virginia’s attorney general, was one of
the early targets.
“McGraw diverted millions to pet projects
and to campaign donors he hired,” said one 2012
television advertisement during his re-election
campaign, a reference to a settlement his office had negotiated with Purdue Pharma over
its sale of painkillers. That deal included a $2
million payment to contingency-fee law firms
whose partners were past campaign donors.
His campaign bought its own advertisement defending his efforts, as did an independent group called the Mountaineer Committee
for Justice and Fairness that is funded in part
by plaintiffs’ lawyers.
But Mr. McGraw said the assault was overwhelming, and he was defeated after two decades in office.
“They are simply able to eliminate people,”
Mr. McGraw said.
The attempts to push back have come in
federal and state courts as well. Companies as
diverse as Diamond Foods, the snack food maker, and Merck, the pharmaceutical giant, have
filed lawsuits or counterclaims arguing that the
attorneys general improperly turned over state
law enforcement powers to private parties, cit-
uced himself
eneral from
o. The event
aw firm Kapred a multir suing the
e on behalf of
rty,” said one
who requestwas a private
d of coziness
ns to marshal
allenging on
general who
THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014
Articles
eral byN
sion in
lions in
eral by
provid
lions in
ON
provide
Courting
Fa
oth
Articles inONL
this
sion in campa
lobbyin
othe
eral bynytime
corpor
campai
lions in campa
provide.
nytimes
ONLINE:
izing Et
other
reco
las,
m
izing
campaigns:
steinto
las,
nytimes.com/
arema
g
stein
speakL
are ge
The
izing speak
to fightf
the
off
las, managing
Thet
llected more
tried
stein the
Litowitz
offi
ettlements in
Mr.
are getting
ncy-fee lawtried
to
speak for
them
attorn
West VirginMr.
The of
plaintif
theL
s one of the
attorne
the offices
sentofa
ofen
the
tried to
fight
lions to pet
stab
Mr.
Lynch,
sent
a
n donors he
asking
attorney
gene
en
stat
vision adverwith
of theasking
nation’t
lection camto
pro
sent
a
confide
ement his ofwith
th
en state
attor
curitie
Purdue Pharprot
askingto
them
ers. That deal
by outt
curities
with the
Unit
ment to con“Ba
to protect
the
by outs
ose partners
night,
curities “Bas
fraud
s.
youlaw
w
by outside
s own advernight,
I
wrote
“Based
on
rts, as did an
you
wil
he Mountainnight, torney
I write
wrote
and Fairness
you will
sign tt
ready
torney
laintiffs’ lawwrote to
Ms.
R
Mr.
Ho
torneyready
gener
eral
Bh
e assault was
readyMr.
hadHo
a te
andasAw
defeated afMr. Hood,
eral
Bo
of Ferg
Pe
eral Bob
and
Att
have t
to eliminate
and Attorney
oftingen
Pen
of Pennsylva
have
ta
ck have come
have taken
OUTSIDE COUNSEL The
A co
s
tingenc
as well. Comtingency-fee
l
office
of
Attorney
said
th
mond Foods,
OUTSIDE
COUNSEL
The
OUTSIDE COUNSEL
The
A
sp
A spokesw
the de
General
Jim Hood of
d Merck, the
office
of
said the
contr
office
ofAttorney
Attorney
said
th
adopt
ve filed lawMississippi
hired
Ms.
the
decision.
I
General Jim
Hood
of of
the
dec
General
Jim
Hood
uing that the
some
adoptadopt
the
brie
Singer
to
handle
an
inMississippi
hired
Ms.
t
perly turned
Mississippi hired Ms.
some agreed
editing
Singer
to handle
an investigation
of credit
some
nt powers to
Singer
to
handle
an
inagreed with
it
Still
vestigation
of credit The
financial inratings agencies.
Still,agreed
the co
vestigation
of credit
ness
h
ratings
agencies.
The
with cases
Still,
relationship
wasThe
made
ness has
hads
said
ratings
agencies.
facts did not
relationship
was made
said ness
some hn
clear in this was
subpoena.
were
clear in this subpoena.
relationship
made
were said
reluctan
so
ve yet to be
fearfu
fearfulwere
that th
clear in this subpoena.
r
deral judges
geted
geted for
defe
e to the argufearful
But theBut
sal
ROGELIO
V. SOLIS/ASSOCIATEDPRESS
PRESS
ROGELIO
V. SOLIS/ASSOCIATED
place,geted
with fo
M
place,
Federal DisBut t
urgingurging
attorn
ROGELIO V. SOLIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS
rn District of
place,
firm for
a new
ted by Presiber
Commerce’s
forfor
Legal
well
said in a
statement,
was devised
by
general to incentive
a specific
firm
fo
ing torneys
their financial
towell
push
ahead
with
general
should
notofofbecome
“aInstitute
vehicle
ber
Commerce’s
Institute
forkeepLegal
said
in
a statement,
was
devised
by
torneys
to
make amake
specific
including
one
urging
ast year
that general
Reform, said in October as she prethe companies to “restrict and destroy
“finding of need for outside counsel”
includ
Reform,
said
in the
October
as
she
prethe
companies
to
“restrict
and
destroy
ture that
has
“finding
ofand
need
for outside
counsel”
cases
against
them,
even
if thewell
facts
did
supeneral
should
ing
elected
inaward
office
by
allowing
them
firm
sented
to
business
leaders
the
general’s
ability
to by
holdofficials
often
have
an
competition
ber
of an
Commerce’s
Institute
for leaders
Legal
inattorney
anot
statement,
devised
torneys
general
toantomake
a open
specific
turefot
some includin
conside
sented
an award
to
the
business
the said
attorney
general’s was
ability
to hold
andelectoften
to
have
open
competition
eeping
from
Louisiana
who
led
the
fight.
them
accountable.”
for
the
work.
In
several
states,
limits
port
the
claims.
extract
campaign
contributions
from
lawyers
Reform,
said inwho
October
she precompanies
to “restricttoand
destroy
“finding
of have
need
for
outside
counsel”
panies some
that s
wing
them
from
ledhigh-powered
theas
fight.
them
accountable.”
for
theto work.
In
several
states,
limits the
But Louisiana
the grass roots
had
As Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the
also
been placed
on fees.
ture
th
sented
an
award
to
the
business
leaders
the
attorney
general’s
ability
to
hold
and
often
to
have
an
open
competition
fact, atpanies
least
The
court
challenges
have As
yet
to be
selected
serve
asMr.
class
counsel.”
butions
allies.
was had
therehigh-powered
again as
legislation
insucJune,
Pete
Martinez,
the
Perhaps
the
important victory
But
theMartinez
grass
roots
Gov.
Bobby
Jindal
signed to
the
havefrom
also been
placed
on most
fees.
some
generalfact,
are ca
Louisiana
who led
thethere
fight.that
them
accountable.”
for Perhaps
the
work.
several
states,
limits
s class
counthe
award
a small
glass
gavel
senior in
director
forPete
stateMartinez,
government
af- from
for
the
corporate
lawyers
came
this
allies.
Mr.—Martinez
was
again
as
legislation
the
theIn
most
important
victory
cessful,
but
some
federal
judges
have
atJune,
least
The
appeal
to
state
legislatures
is
the
most
panies
cases
to
state
But
the
grass
roots
had
high-powered
As fairs
Gov.
Jindal
signed
have
also been
placed
on fees.
Ms.
Rickard
referred
to as
the chamatBobby
Pharmaceutical
Researchthe
and
year
in Louisiana,
where
Attorney
genera
the
award
—
a small
glass
gavel that
senior
director
for state
government
affor isthe
corporate
lawyers
came
this Genfact,
been
receptive
to the
argument.
intensive
part
of the
at
state has
yetap
latures
the
ber’s
version
of the Oscar
— was2012,
be- as
Manufacturers
of America,
stoodthe
di- allies.
eral
Buddyimportant
Caldwell,
a victory
Republican,
has
Mr.campaign.
Martinez
wasSince
there
again
legislation
in June, Pete
Martinez,
Perhaps
the
most
cases
Ms.
Rickard
referred
to
as
the
chamfairs
at
Pharmaceutical
Research
and
year
in
Louisiana,
where
Attorney
Gen“The
cham
e campaign.
genera
stowed.
rectly
behind
the
governor,
with
a
slight
collected
$294
million
in
settlements
award
— aofsmall
glassrules
gavel
that
senior
director
forofstate
government
for
the
corporate
lawyers
came
this
Judge
William
Alsup
Federal
District
leaststood
14 afstates
have
adopted
new
that
state
h
ber’s
version
the
— not
was
beManufacturers
America,
di- the
eral
Buddy
Caldwell,
a Republican,
has of
s have
adopthigh, cases
attorne
Plaintiffs’
lawyers
saidOscar
they
were
smile.
since
2011
against
pharmaceutical
comt
Ms.
Rickard
referred
to
as
the
chamfairs
at
Pharmaceutical
Research
and
year
in
Louisiana,
where
Attorney
Gen“Th
Court
for
thethein
Northern
District
California,
generally
require
attorneys
general to make there
a state
stowed.
rectlyofbehind
thethese
governor,
with aget
slight
collected
$294
million
settlements
y require
atis a cos
surprised
by the onslaught.
“The
way
issues
really
done
panies
with
help
of outside
law
ha
version
of results,
the Oscar
was
Manufacturers
stood
dieral
Buddy
Caldwell,
a Republican,
has
high,
side counsel,”
Plaintiffs’
said
were
not
smile.isBill
“You
look
at lawyers
the
andthey
I—
can
see besince
2011
against
pharmaceutical
coma result
ofoftheAmerica,
grass-roots
effort,”“finding
Lisa ber’s
firms,
which
in turn have
earned
$54
who
was
appointed
by
President
Clinton,
specific
of
need
for
outside
counsel”
“The
stowed.
rectly
behind
the
governor,
with
a
slight
collected
$294
million
in
settlements
why
the business
A. Rickard,
theissues
head of
the U.S.
the
million
fees. The
legislation,
Mr. Cald-“The
esearch.
there
surprised
by thecommunity
onslaught.is organ- something
these
really
getChamdone
panies with
the inhelp
of outside
law
wrote
last
year
that comcases
filed
byway
attorneys
and often
to have
an open
competition
for the
Plaintiffs’
said they
since
against
pharmaceutical
side c
“You looklawyers
at the results,
andwere
I cannot
see high,
is a result of the grass-roots effort,” Lisa
firms,2011
which
in turn
have earned
$54 smile.
surprised
by the onslaught.
way these
issues
getChamdone
panies
the
help
of outside
law
why the business
community is organ- there
A.“The
Rickard,
the head
of really
the U.S.
sometis
million with
in fees.
The
legislation,
Mr. Caldside co
“You look at the results, and I can see
is a result of the grass-roots effort,” Lisa
firms, which in turn have earned $54
why the business community is organA. Rickard, the head of the U.S. Chamsometh
million in fees. The legislation, Mr. Cald-
work. In several states, limits have also been
placed on fees.
Perhaps the most important victory for the
corporate lawyers came this year in Louisiana,
where Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, a Republican, has collected $294 million in settlements since 2011 against pharmaceutical companies with the help of outside law firms, which
in turn have earned $54 million in fees. The
legislation, Mr. Caldwell said in a statement,
was devised by the companies to “restrict and
destroy the attorney general’s ability to hold
them accountable.”
As Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the legislation
in June, Pete Martinez, the senior director for
state government affairs at Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, stood directly behind the governor, with a slight smile.
“The way these issues really get done is a
result of the grass-roots effort,” Lisa A. Rickard,
the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s
Institute for Legal Reform, said in October as
she presented an award to the business leaders
from Louisiana who led the fight.
But the grass roots had high-powered allies.
Mr. Martinez was there again as the award — a
small glass gavel that Ms. Rickard referred to as the
chamber’s version of the Oscar — was bestowed.
Plaintiffs’ lawyers said they were not surprised by the onslaught.
“You look at the results, and I can see why
the business community is organizing to fight
this,” said Blair A. Nicholas, managing partner
at the firm Bernstein Litowitz. “The attorneys
general are getting significant results. They
speak for themselves.”
The plaintiffs’ bar — and its allies in the offices of attorneys general — have tried to fight back.
Mr. Lynch, the former Rhode Island attorKitty Bennett contributed research.
ney general, who represents three of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ firms, sent a confidential
appeal to half a dozen state attorneys general in
January, asking them to intervene in the matter
with the United States Supreme Court to protect
their ability to file federal securities fraud cases,
typically handled by outside lawyers.
“Based on our conversation last night, I
write to get confirmation that you will sign this
brief today,” Mr. Lynch wrote to Ms. Rosenblum,
the Oregon attorney general. He added that he
already had a tentative commitment from Mr.
Hood, as well as from Attorney General Bob
Ferguson of Washington State and Attorney
General Kathleen G. Kane of Pennsylvania, all
Democrats who have taken contributions from
the contingency-fee lawyers.
A spokeswoman for Ms. Rosenblum said
the contributions played no role in the decision.
Instead, her staff agreed to adopt the brief as
its own, after making some editing changes, because it agreed with it.
Still, the counterattack by big business has
had its impact. Ms. Madrid said some newly
elected Democrats were reluctant to hire outside firms, fearful that they were going to be
targeted for defeat in elections.
But the sales pitches are still taking place,
with Ms. Singer, in particular, urging attorneys
general to join her firm for a new round of possible cases, including ones against makers of
furniture that has a chemical additive that some
consider harmful, and drug companies that sell
certain painkillers. In fact, at least three former
attorneys general are pitching painkiller abuse
cases to states nationwide, although no state
has yet publicly signed up.
“The chamber has made the bar so high, attorneys general understand there is a cost politically to hiring outside counsel,” she said. “So
it is not something they do lightly or freely.” n