Nine lawyers who submitted class action against Swiss banks in the Holocaust victims' deposits affair, are requesting fees amounting to $15 million. Their request was placed before Brooklyn District Court Judge Edward Korman, who is presiding over the banks affair case.
Adv. Mel Orbach and another lawyer, who represented the Organization of Orthodox Communities in the US (an anti-Zionist organization affiliated with the Satmar Hassidim) are each asking $2 million. Another lawyer in the group of nine is Michael Witti, Edward Fagan's German counterpart in the case against the German banks and insurance companies.
The nine lawyers sought a blackout on the invoice hours they submitted. World Jewish Congress executive director Elan Steinberg told "Globes" last night, "Their behavior is like that of the Swiss banks. A Volcker committee is perhaps needed to determine the truth regarding the invoices they submitted".
At the same time, Adv. Mel Weiss, who was active in part of the negotiations, in coordination with the Jewish organizations, is about to request $1 million in fees, which he plans to donate to charity. Adv. Stanley Chesley, who represented WJRO (World Jewish Restitution Organization) announced he is forgoing both the fees and reimbursement for expenses incurred. The lawyers seeking payment claim that if they or their colleagues would be asked to work on a voluntary basis in cases of this nature, none would take on the task.
WJC has already requested Judge Korman to order the disclosure of the invoice hours the lawyers submitted. The organization is expected to oppose the requested fees at a meeting Korman will hold on the matter on January 5, 2000.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on November 24, 1999