Nine firms seek Girardi bankruptcy petition updates

Attorneys from nine firms have asked a bankruptcy court to give them updates on involuntary bankruptcy petitions Thomas V. Girardi's creditors and former partner filed against him and his firm, possibly indicating the number of creditors who have a stake in how the cases unfold.

At least three of the attorneys' firms are involved in litigation against Girardi and his firm, Giradi Keese: DLA Piper LLP, Hemar, Rousso & Heald LLP, and Vedder Price LLP.

DLA Piper represents Stillwell Madison LLC, a lender which alleged in a lawsuit last year that Girardi and his firm failed to repay a $5 million loan. Hemar, Rousso & Heald represent a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, which claimed in a lawsuit filed this month that Girardi and his firm owed more than $882,000 in fees. On Dec. 15, a Los Angeles County judge ordered Girardi and his firm to give Vedder Price's client, KCC Class Action Services LLC, $7.5 million in damages. Stillwell Madison LLC v. Girardi & Keese, et al., 20STCV07853 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Feb. 25, 2020). Wells Fargo Vendor Financial Services, LLC v. Girardi Keese, et al., 20STCV47117 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Dec. 9, 2020). KCC Class Action Services LLC v. Girardi Keese, et al., 19STCV38587 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Oct. 28, 2019).

Other firms and attorneys who have filed requests for notice are Lewis R. Landau, attorney at law; Law Offices of Ronald Richards & Associates APC; Arent Fox LLP; Resnik Hayes Moradi LLP; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; and Robie & Matthai, APC.

On behalf of KCC, Scott H. Olson, a shareholder at Vedder Price, moved Monday to join the motion attorney Andrew Goodman of Goodman Law Offices APC filed on Christmas Eve, which asked the bankruptcy court to appoint an interim trustee to handle Girardi's finances. Goodman represents the petitioners in the bankruptcy cases, which include Girardi's longtime law partner Robert M. Keese.

"KCC joins in the arguments and positions set forth in the Interim Trustee Motion to the extent relevant and applicable," Olson wrote in his motion. "KCC similarly believes that there is a significant risk that debtor's assets may be dissipated if an interim trustee is not appointed. KCC believes that the legal reasoning in the Interim Trustee Motion is sound and, for the reasons set forth therein, respectfully asks the court to appoint a Chapter 7 Trustee." In re: Thomas Vincent Girardi, 20-BK21020 (C.D. Cal Bankruptcy Ct, filed Dec. 18, 2020); In re: Girardi Keese, 20-BK12022 (C.D. Cal Bankruptcy Ct, filed Dec. 18, 2020).

At least 12 lawsuits have been filed against Girardi this year in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Six of those were filed in December.