The Tampa Tribune recently did a story on the SEC filings of the publicly traded component of Millionaire Foreclosure Mill component of the Law Offices of David Stern (article here), reporting that that component alone had profits of about $44.6 million in 2009 on revenues of $260.3 million. That’s just one portion of the whole mill, and does not reflect the profits of the law firm itself.
In another effort to jack up more obscene fees, it has been reported that Stern’s office has bought a title company and will begin writing title insurance. (article here)
Now not just as a lawyer, but as a taxpayer, I want to know why my judges feel compelled to push cases through their docket quickly so Stern and others can make more obscene profits. I see how frazzled our JA’s are, juggling paper, grabbing phones directing people.
HOW IN GOD’S NAME HAVE WE CREATED A SYSTEM WHERE MY COURTS AND MY TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING USED TO FUND THE GROWING KLEPTOCRACY, FUELING THE OBSCENE PROFIT DRIVEN AMBITIONS OF A FEW WHILE ABUSING THE MASSES?
I understand courts have a job to do, but why they do not require these firms to adhere to the same standards of practice and professionalism required of other real law firms and lawyers is absolutely beyond me. How they are allowed to continue to throw garbage in front of judges, frantically call in to JA’s and generally abuse phone and other privileges while lining their pockets is just obscene. The explanation that this problem just grew too fast is absurd and an excuse.
The millionaire purveyors of foreclosure garbage can hire staff to communicate with lawyers and can force their clients to come to the negotiating table.
They can send lawyers to hearing….with the case file and all evidence.
They can communicate in an effort to resolve disputes before hearing.
They can force their clients to modify, accept short sales and settle cases….lawyers do it in every single other area of the law.
They can file cases correctly in accordance with the new Supreme Court Rules.
THE FORECLOSURE MILLS ALONE CAN MOVE THEIR CASES ALONG MORE QUICKLY.
Judges have the ability to clear their dockets, relieve the courts and their staff of overwhelming case loads and recover some of the millions that all this failed court process has cost us all.
The New York Times recently reported on actions taken by federal and state judges to rein in abusive behavior. (article here)
Investigations like these are just the tip of the iceberg, and in many cases they will be too late. But there are ways judges can and should slow this process down until we’ve all got time to see exactly where the bodies are buried.
I filed a Motion last week. I’m sitting on it for now. Just letting it simmer a bit.
It is a game changer.
