The hearings concluded with Dresnick finding that neither Lewis (former US Attorney Guy Lewis) nor his partner Michael Tein comitted perjury. The ruling was a clear victory for Lewis and Tein and their lawyer Paul Calli who came in and did a brilliant job turning the litigation in this case around after the media (including this blog we are ashamed to say) had already convicted Lewis and Tein in the court of public opinion.
EYES SPINNING IN HIS SOCKETS:
The Herald covered the hearing here and had this quote from Judge Dresnick:
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ronald Dresnick said the $3 million in fees charged by attorneys Guy Lewis and Michael Tein to represent the two Miccosukee Tribe members in the 2009 civil trial “made my eyes spin in their sockets.”
“I’m just shocked by the amount of these fees,” said Dresnick, a veteran judge who presided over a three-day sanctions hearing and ordered the pair to pay the fine to an opposing plaintiff’s attorney. “I’m just flabbergasted.” The contretemps started after a three million dollar jury verdict in a case involving a car accident in which Miccosukee tribe members were the defendants. The plaintiffs sought to collect on the judgment and the defendant's said they had no money to pay. Inquiry was made as to how much the defendants paid their lawyers. Lewis and Tein denied their fees were paid from the Tribe and the controversy began. From the Herald article: On Wednesday, Dresnick found that Lewis and Tein did not commit perjury and did not intentionally mislead the judge at the previous sanctions hearing. But the judge implied that both lawyers should have shown more candor to the court before he decided to raise a prior $3,500 sanctions fee. The ruling is a victory for Paul Calli and his clients Lewis and Tein. No lawyer wants to be cited for perjury. But ouch! The fine hurts. We would be back to domestic wines for a year. Appeal anyone? How do you, as a criminal practitioner, avoid this tsuris (legaleese for "oy- this sucks") ? Rumpole Rule #2STAY OUT OF CIVIL COURT! See You In Court.
32 comments:
These two crooks charged a client a fee as big as the verdict in a trial they lost!
The "C" word in civil is now Calli!
$3 million outrageous? I charge $3 million for a DUI. At least that much for most nonviolent felonies. And my clients gladly pay it.
Ronnie D dropping the 50K on the L&T
Rumpole: "STAY OUT OF CIVIL."
Ha.
Love that it takes a criminal defense lawyer with MJB roots to slay the civil lawyers.
Dresnick was too nice to these guys. I have seen their work firsthand, first when they were at the US Attorney's Office and then in private practice, and they are liars and thieves. Let's hope the Florida Bar pulls a Hank Adorno on them
Best post of the year because of the googly-eye face.
Jay - stay off the blogs you psychopath
Getting Dresnick as your judge is like getting hired on a co-defendant case and the other lawyer is Alex Michaels and Gail Levine is the ASA.
It's like getting a new girlfriend and then finding out her favorite restaurant for a nice night out is Applebys.
It's like getting your client's case nolle prossed at arraignment and when you walk outside of court there is the FBI.
It's like diet soda- it tastes bad and is bad for you.
It's like spending an evening with Sarah Palin- nobody could be both that evil and stupid at the same time.
The worst thing that happened to these guys was the blind clerk that gave them Dresnick.
Didn't Dresnick used to be law partners with F. Lee Bailey? It seems like he should be used to, or at least have had some exposure to usurious, legal billing.
The trialmaster does not do DUI's for any amount, unless they involve a manslaughter. The trialmaster does not charge 3 million for it. Although the trialmaster recently settled a case for 3 million.
Yes, Ron was partners with F. Lee and Richard Gerstein together with Paul Rashkind. They had an office at 4700 Biscayne Blvd.
Trialmaster:
What are the fees on your three million dollar case settled trial master. What kind of case was that. Tell us something about the case; name ; case number ; trial; judge ; mediated; settled post trial; after appeal; injuries; death; med mal; who were your expert witnesses; come on Trialmaster. You brag a lot. Back it up with real facts.
FBI released photos of bombing suspects. How come its always white guys who blow people up in crowds?
Drawing Dresnick as your judge is Miami's own version of the Kobiashi Maru: a nightmare unwinnable scenario.
I see Paul Cali two or three times a week. He spends his free time coaching little league baseball at Miami shores, not in casinos. Not everyone is a glad hand social butterfly . I don't hang out with Cali but can tell you he puts in a huge amount of volunteer time coaching kids , not gambling in casinos. Jason grey
Wonder how the case of the lying officer will come out. Didn't this BSO and another deputy have a cop show on TLC titled "K-9", I believe his partner's name was Geoffry Brown.
Trialmaster, you settled a case? I'm so disappointed. I thought you tried everything ;-)
Are you going to change your name to Master Negotiator?
BTDT
I'm glad Calli does community service but, many of us have had some rather unpleasant dealings with him and don't think much of him as a lawyer or person.
He may be smart but, he sure knows how to piss off people.
ronny d is the the man. he dragged these guys across the matt cause they lied and got caught. he could have hurt them but true to form, ronny d let them off.. and the tien makes those tough guy comments in the paper. he came across like a douche...
this was hardly a vindication as their lawyer suggests.
730 pm -
I am reasonably certain that, knowing - and loving - Calli, he would absolutely be loving "he sure knows how to piss off people." Truth is, only those who deserve it.
Dude is the most loyal person I know. There for you at the drop of a hat. In your darkest hour. no questions asked. did so for me. And if you were in the soup, face it: he's one of those at the top of the list of those you want fighting for you.
Lay off, Putz. He's doing his job. Well. He's a justice building product. A street fighter. He must be presently kicking your fucking ass. You lose.
Out.
I didn't say Cali was touchie feely
Or easy to get along with. My point was that he voulenteers his time , perhaps 10 hours a week coaching kids, I have watched him , he is patient and effective and in no way petty or angry with them . Point is it says something about a guy. If he seems a little rough around the edges give him a chance inside is is a good person. Jason grey
Im going to Carribbean Cigars for Cinco De Shumie!!
To 23:00....The policy limits were tendered.Nothing to be gained by trying the case/ It would have only wasted my clients funds.
Are there little league coaches that are petty and angry with the kids?
is the trial master cristos lagos? sorry, lagos is the self proclaimed 'trial specialist'..
btw, would anyone here ever represent a terrorist? i would not. no matter the fee.
cysco kid
there was a terroist bomber in the 70s who blew up half of Miami. Anyone rememeber who represented him, I think his name was Rolando Otero?
April 19, 2013 4:25:00 PM Rolando Otero was represented by Bill Clay
"Are there little league coaches that are petty and angry with the kids?"
Yes, there are. Loads and loads of them.
This is cool!
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