Downtown LA Law Group to Exit Chiquita Canyon Landfill Case After Losing Contact with Hundreds of Plaintiffs
Downtown LA Law Group told a judge it will withdraw from the Chiquita Canyon landfill litigation after failing to reach about 40% of its clients.
During a court appearance on Thursday, Downtown LA Law Group disclosed that it will cease representing plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the Chiquita Canyon landfill, having already handed about 500 clients to a different personal-injury firm. An additional 500 claimants could not be contacted and are expected to be dismissed. The firm rejects accusations that it employed a “cowboy recruiter” to sign up residents of Val Verde, insisting the allegations stem from a competing firm seeking to eliminate competition.
The firm’s attorney, Andrew Morrow, argued that the plaintiffs should not be judged solely because of the misconduct claims against the firm. The landfill’s counsel, Paul Chan, has filed a motion seeking court-ordered vetting of the DTLA clients and subpoenas for the alleged recruiter and a partner at the firm. Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong expressed skepticism that small cash incentives justify a special vetting process, noting that all claims merit scrutiny by the defense.
Why it matters
The withdrawal could leave many residents without legal representation in a major environmental lawsuit.
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