More Girardi Keese cases disbursed to other attorneys

Plaintiffs' lawyer Thomas V. Girardi's former clients continued to be disbursed among various law firms as new orders were issued this week.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Barry Russell granted a request by Girardi Keese's trustee, Elissa D. Miller of SulmeyerKupetz, to transfer 92 clients in litigation against talcum powder maker Johnson & Johnson to Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys.

The order came late Wednesday, a day after Russell granted Miller's motion to allow Robinson Calcagnie Inc. to represent 86 of Girardi's former clients in the same case. Miller reported that Girardi represented 178 clients in the Johnson & Johnson litigation.

The agreement with Bisnar Chase followed the same arrangement Miller negotiated with Robinson Calcagnie, if the clients choose to use the firm's services. The estate will collect 20% of any contingency fees earned, plus costs, stemming from the litigation.

In a different case, Russell allowed the Law Offices of Antony Thomassian and the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright to assume responsibility for the cases of 137 of Girardi's former clients who got sick from toxic emissions in Paramount.

According to Miller's motion, the Paramount litigation is close to resolution, but some tasks need to be resolved before clients can be paid.

"Thomassian is already familiar with the Paramount litigation," the motion stated. "Among other things, Wright referred approximately 1/3 of the clients to the debtor. Thomassian is experienced in personal injury lawsuits and has the requisite expertise and resources to represent the clients in the Paramount litigation."

Girardi's estate will receive a larger share of the fees incurred under the Paramount litigation compared to the Johnson & Johnson case. The estate will receive 66.7% of the fees and 33.3% will go to Thomassian if the plaintiffs all accept his services.

In a day filled with filings to shore up some of the cases halted because of Girardi's involuntary bankruptcy, Miller also submitted an additional motion seeking Russell's approval for a contingency fee sharing arrangement stemming from the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 58 and injured hundreds.

The case, involving more than 4,000 clients and 65 law firms, settled for a reported $800 million.

Girardi and Angelo & White APC represented three of the victims. In 2020, Girardi brought in Panish Shea & Boyle to prosecute the case. Panish Shea & Boyle is holding the money pending approval of the motion, according to the filing.

Under the agreement, Panish Shea & Boyle would receive 35% of the contingency fees. Miller and Angelo & White will share the remaining 65%, with Miller receiving 45% and Angelo & White receiving 55%.