Stephen Becker Automobile group Inc files suit against Shelby American Inc

[Bernica]

After spending about $1 million on attorney fees in a dispute once, my opponent and I went to dinner and agreed "enough is enough" and settled the whole matter over a nice steak at Mortons. I can't say that the attorneys were very happy, but we stopped the bleeding and both took our licks and moved on.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

After spending about $1 million on attorney fees in a dispute once, my opponent and I went to dinner and agreed "enough is enough" and settled the whole matter over a nice steak at Mortons. I can't say that the attorneys were very happy, but we stopped the bleeding and both took our licks and moved on.

Dang, I'd have let you settle it without me for half that....

[REAL 1]

.....

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Bernica

After spending about $1 million on attorney fees in a dispute once, my opponent and I went to dinner and agreed "enough is enough" and settled the whole matter over a nice steak at Mortons. I can't say that the attorneys were very happy, but we stopped the bleeding and both took our licks and moved on.

See, that's exactly my point. So whose fault was it in driving up fees and costs? Maybe you guys should have gone to dinner sooner.

Next time you want to spend $1 million in fees PLEASE CALL ME FIRST!!!!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Bernica

After spending about $1 million on attorney fees in a dispute once, my opponent and I went to dinner and agreed "enough is enough" and settled the whole matter over a nice steak at Mortons. I can't say that the attorneys were very happy, but we stopped the bleeding and both took our licks and moved on.

Are attorneys ever happy?

For me, at least, obviously not the OP, this thread is like "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

I don't think any one cares any more, but of course, the OP and maybe the other CSX dealers, which can't be that many.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Are attorneys ever happy?

Happy lawyers? | Above the Law

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Are attorneys ever happy?

For me, at least, obviously not the OP, this thread is like "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

I don't think any one cares any more, but of course, the OP and maybe the other CSX dealers, which can't be that many.

Agreed. I strayed off and was sucked into it by the mention of the lawyers. I will refrain...

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by Bernica

After spending about $1 million on attorney fees in a dispute once, my opponent and I went to dinner and agreed "enough is enough" and settled the whole matter over a nice steak at Mortons. I can't say that the attorneys were very happy, but we stopped the bleeding and both took our licks and moved on.

There ya go...well done! Unfortunate you had to spend that much to get to that point, but you stopped the bleeding.

The majority of my clients have been with me for over a decade...several for over three decades. Obviously, in labor and employment I have ongoing relationships with these folks (fighting unions, employment litigation). Some are the biggest produce companies in the world, others produce the wine you have with your meals, and still others are mom and pop farms where the owners take care of their business at the kitchen table. The one thing they (and I) do is treat legal services as just another element of getting the job done, and they know to employ legal (anything from union prevention strategies to ensuring compliance with employment laws) to prevent problems like class actions, just like applying pesticides to prevent bugs before they attack.

But...lets get back to the lawsuit and the subject of the thread and what effect it may have on our hobby (if any).

[mikeinatlanta]

Originally Posted by Jamo

just like applying pesticides to prevent bugs before they attack.

Outstanding analogy.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by mikeinatlanta

Outstanding analogy.

Yup. Zactly. Perfect. That's the main social purpose of class actions. Don't screw the public and do the right thing and no bugs. Simple really.

Take away the prospect of bugs and see what happens. Wanna try that and see how that works out? Even with class action remedies available today there are still more than enough businesses and corps screwing the public and others every day and willing to take the risk. Exhibit A. Take a look at the allegation of the OP. While just an allegation at this juncture what if it's proved to be true?

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Obviously, in labor and employment I have ongoing relationships with these folks (fighting unions, employment litigation). Some are the biggest produce companies in the world, others produce the wine you have with your meals, and still others are mom and pop farms where the owners take care of their business at the kitchen table. The one thing they (and I) do is treat legal services as just another element of getting the job done, and they know to employ legal (anything from union prevention strategies to ensuring compliance with employment laws) to prevent problems like class actions, just like applying pesticides to prevent bugs before they attack.

I spent 22+ years working for an IBM subsidiary in the IT services industry. Much of that was involved in putting together and negotiating service agreements with customers, often multi-year outsourcing agreements. I found it advantageous to engage the legal team early in the process, while many of my peers waited as long as they could to bring the legal folks in. Let's just say the former approach worked out much better than the latter.