Lawyer Known for LAPD Suits Files Bankruptcy
Stephen Yagman, an attorney known for specializing in police abuse lawsuits against the Los Angeles Police Department, has filed for bankruptcy for his Venice-based law firm.
In a petition filed in Los Angeles Federal Court this week, Yagman said his firm’s liabilities total more than $900,000 and its assets are about $2,500.
The liabilities, according to the petition, include $116,000 in wages owed to Yagman himself for “paralegal” work. The State Bar of California suspended Yagman’s license to practice law in California for a year because of what the bar called an unconscionable fee in a case against the LAPD. Yagman won a $44,000 verdict in a case and took a $19,800 contingency fee from that amount, and collected more than $378,000 in fees awarded by the trial court. Each of his clients got $811.
Since he was unable to do attorney’s work, he apparently worked as a paralegal. His license was reinstated Oct. 16.
The firm also owes the IRS $140,000, the petition said.
Yagman is a partner in the firm, firm Yagman & Yagman, with his ex-wife, Marion.
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