Lawyer Known for LAPD Suits Files Bankruptcy
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LOS ANGELES — 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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