Brokeback Lawfirm: More on S&C and the Nazis
In an interesting article in today’s Gay City News, Professor Arthur Leonard discusses the whole “Nazi-gate” controversy surrounding Sullivan & Cromwell partner Gandolfo “Vince” DiBlasi (at right).
Much of the article will be familiar to those who have been following the case closely. But here’s some good background (which previously surfaced in the comments, but merits highlighting here):
Explaining why he was so frightened that he destroyed [his] computer, Aaron Charney testified: “And when we got to the Penn Club, the content of that meeting and the threats that Mr. DiBlasi made invoking the fact that the firm had represented the Nazis and how — that nobody cared, and that people wrote a book about them representing the Nazis and no one cared.”…Several books have discussed allegations that during the 1930s Sullivan & Cromwell attorneys were involved in representing businesses with interests in Nazi Germany, most prominently a 1994 book by John Loftus and Mark Aarons titled The Secret War Against the Jews: How Western Espionage Betrayed the Jewish People.
Over at his blog, Professor Leonard offers more free-form reflections. Check out his breathlessly posed questions, which nicely capture the soap opera that the Charney case has become:
Why would anybody in the position of Gandolfo DiBlasi make any reference to S&C’s past representation of “the Nazis” - knowing that somebody in the room was taking notes - even if he believed that the meeting was covered by a promise of confidentiality? Will DiBlasi deny under oath that he said any such thing?… Will [Gera] Grinberg, whose job and residence in the US may be at stake, deny that DiBlasi said it? Will [Edward] Gallion, who was in the pay of S&C but owed his fiduciary duty to his client Grinberg and not to the source of his compensation, as these duties are parsed out under the ethical rules? And what motive could Charney have for making this up? Who is writing the script for this thriller? And will Sir Ian play “Gandolfo” in the docudrama…..???
Excellent queries. We look forward to finding out the answers in the weeks ahead.
Charney: S&C Waved Its Nazi Past [Gay City News]
The Latest Charney Sensation [Leonard Link]
(33) Comments
Comments
ABC has a clear motive for lying. But on the other hand, I don't know what innocent explanation there could be for mentioning the Nazis.
Also, why would ABC say it - under oath - knowing that so many other people could come forward to dispute it if untrue?
Another zinger from Arthur Link - the one man gang of 88. "And what motive could Charney have for making this up?"
Is he serious? Charney's *the plaintiff* of this case. Gee. I wonder if he has any motive to make things up or exaggerate.
Charney has wack-a-doo motives no one can understand. What motive did he have to send documents he stole - I mean client documents that just showed up on his doorstep - to the Wall Street Journal?
Charney may be weird, but he's not stupid. If he's lying, then DiBlasi, Braff, Grinberg, and Gallion can all come forward and say he's lying.
But I don't think he's lying. I predict that no one else will dispute his account. DiBlasi will probably say he doesn't recall exactly what he said at the talks.
[insert some quip by Loyola2L saying he'd gladly represent Nazis if it would mean he could work for Biglaw]
Arthur Link's comments need to be taken with a grain of salt. I don't think he's a practicing lawyer, and it shows in his legal commentary.
Arthur Link is the guy that chided S&C for not moving to dismiss the hostile environment claim based on the work environment not being hostile enough as a matter of law. Employment lawyers noted that motions on that ground are only successful if made *after* discovery as a summary judgment motion, Arthur Link said he's seen "lots" of cases where the argument was successful on a motion to dismiss. He never produced any of those cases.
I would totally represent the Nazis if it would I could work in biglaw.
I highly doubt diBlasi said this when the chairman and vice-chariman of S and C are Jewish. Especially, given the vice-chair is an ordained Orthodox rabbi.
4:44? Have you ever worked a day with BigLaw assh@ole partners? Some of them would eliminate their families if they got in their way. These people are true d@ckheads in every sense of the word. Does the fact that these jerks are Jewish IN ANY WAY mean Field Marshal DiBlasi wouldn't have said this? Um, NO WAY.
By the way, I wonder what all the Jewsih lawyers were doing/saying when their partners were doing all the Nazi work back in the day? Apparently not much, eh? If they didn't stop it then, do you think they care about it now?
These people are after the pursuit of money and ego. They are loathesome. Being Jewsih doesn't prevent them from being assh@oles, even to other Jews.
Grow up. You've got a rude awakening coming for you from BigLaw.
Gallion OUT!
Charney's a drama queen.
Besides, S&C no doubt has hired surveillance on ABC (why wouldn't they?), so if he's slipped just once in this whole ordeal (e.g. blabbed on the phone to a confidant), I bet they've got some dirt.
Gallion, we've missed you! Where have you been? Shredding more settlement meeting notes?
the firm's probably staked out Charney's page on Manhunt, reading about how much he'd love to have someone shit in his mouth
5:18 - thanks. i took a little break from ATL to regain my senses. but now my unique perspective (read: the truth) has returned at Spielvogel's behest. He felt that our firm needed more good press
5:23 - funny stuff
Gallion OUT!
By the way, I wonder what all the Jewsih lawyers were doing/saying when their partners were doing all the Nazi work back in the day? Apparently not much, eh? If they didn't stop it then, do you think they care about it now?
Different time, my friend. Different time. I doubt S&C had too many Jews back then, and the ones they might have had were probably happy just to be in a white shoe New York firm, they were not necessarily in the position to oppose anything.
Actually you are way wrong about that 5:32. Check your facts before posting crap. I am not some 2L dish@t posting whetever springs to mind -- I know what the hell I am talking about. You, dear sir, do not.
Regardless, I can assure you that this cadre of assh@les, Jews included, would run over a Jew with a dump truck carrying their money if they could get it to the bank a minute faster and benefit from the additional interest.
Field Marshal DiBlasi for chairman of Legal Aid!!!!
Gallion OUT!
what is wrong with my facts?
yeah Gallion--how many Jews were at S&C back then?
what do you know?
It was one thing when you were just spewing general leftist crap. Now you have moved onto badmouthing some poor Jewish guy who was lucky enough (aided of course by a name change and some hair dye) to get a job at S&C back then.
wtf
ZzzzzzzZZZZzzzZZzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZzz
Still waiting for some real news on this story instead of space-filler and Lat reporting on other blogs' coverage.
All I know is the rejection letter from S&C used nicer paper than all the other firms' rejection letters. It was this beautiful, thin and almost see through cream colored paper. It was amazing.
5:43 - 15% of the partnership. EAT THAT moron. None of them seemed to object when S&C was cutting deals for IG Farben, Bayer, and other purveyors of the Nazi death machine. And, strangely, none of them seem to object now when they proudly invoke that cutting-edge representation of the worst regime ever to grace the face of planet earth. You must be deluded if you think some BigLaw partner's religion would impact who he or she screws the living daylights out of. Do you actually know any biglaw partners? Some of them would have grabbed the knife out of Abraham's hand, killed the son, and then said "WTF God, we had an oral agreement." These people are awful. And the sooner you bunch of "please Biglaw hire my sorry loan-burdened slightly egoistic ass" fools realize this, the better. I can't wait for you to experience your first instance of true BigLaw partner abuse. You won't know what hit you, and you will at last realize that I was right.
Gallion OUT!
Gallion OUT!
What's odd is that this case collapsed weeks ago yet Lat, Gallion, Solloway and Loenard are keeping the faith.
The case has hardly collapsed. Motions to dismiss have been filed, but not yet granted. Both cases are still alive. And we have yet to hear about the depos of DiBlasi, Grinberg and Gallion.
Of course, anyone who is no longer interested in this case needn't read about it if they don't care to. But if one or both motions to dismiss are not granted, it might lead to some interesting developments.
Gallion still didnt say where his info came from.
15% back then--what is it now?
Vince DiBlasi is a great lawyer and person. These Nazi allegations are all lies intended to further attempted extortion.
9:01, if you care enough, why not start a pro-S&C (or at least anti-Charney) blog of your own? It would add an interesting and fresh perspective.
YOu know Ive waited and waited, and just now decided that I dont believe ABC. Cant say why--just gut feeling.
This case is nothing more than an attempt to extort money from one of the world's great law firms.
This case is nothing more than an attempt to extort money from one of the world's great law firms.
This case is nothing more than an attempt to extort money from one of the world's great law firms.
Nah. This case is about the fact that S&C has some really nasty people working there and they feel they can do anything to anyone and are a law unto themselves.
This case is nothing more than an attempt to extort money. Lot's of places have really nasty people working there who feel they can do anything. That's not a violation of the law.
Charney lost me with sending stolen firm and client documents to the wall street journal for publication. he comes off like the people he's attacking - someone who feels he can do anything without consequences. he's not very sympathetic and believable.
There are probably many deserving plaintiffs that have experienced real employment discrdimination because they are gay. Those are the people we should give support to. Charney's case diminishes other real civil rights cases.
S&C feels it can do anything without consequences. Charney was recruited by and worked at S&C for a few years. If he has that kind of attitude, is it any wonder?
My Fiancee, John R. Mitchell and I have posted some completely outrageous comment in the past few years and want to apologize to this forum.
by:
Robin L. Boerner
P.O.Box 771765
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
Cell: 907-360-0224
To: All Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Dear Senators,
I’ve been under the umbrella of an illness most people do not talk about. The doctors currently have me under closer supervision and back on a regular schedule of routine medication.
John Mitchell and I have been on a roller coaster ride of medication, professional help and conspiracy theories for years. So needless to say we both have illnesses we will, for obvious reason, not post here today.
Again If you would like more information please write or email me at:
John Mitchell
C/O
Robin Boerner
Po Box 771765
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
Email: Johnmitchell@makethearmyhonest.com
Cell: 907-360-0224