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| Schuyler Allen Baker Jr. |
One year has passed since Schuyler Allen Baker Jr., Balch & Bingham's general counsel and chief partner, died of cancer. But there is little sign the embattled law firm's leadership has made any change in direction, according to a report at banbalch.com. Writes Publisher K.B. Forbes:
The King of Balch & Bingham and dinosaur partner at the embattled law firm Schuyler Allen Baker, Jr. died one year ago today.
Ironically in 2017, Baker vowed to fight the Newsome Conspiracy Case to the death.
Baker, serving as General Counsel at Balch, made an enormously foolish decision.
His fight to the death cost the firm millions, tarnished and damaged Balch’s once-respected reputation, made 18 of 18 D.C. lobbying clients dump the firm, and created the greatest exodus ever of money-making partners.
The ghost of Balch’s past is sadly still present.
What ugly scraps still are clinging to Balch's plate? Forbes spells them out:
Now with an alleged pedophile cover-up, an alleged ongoing Elderly Exploitation Scandal investigation, and the Mississippi Rental Assistance debacle, the unholy trinity of scandal would not be garnering interest by law enforcement or the media if Balch had cleaned up their loose ends after Baker died.
Where is the sensible leadership?
Yesterday, ex-Drummond executive David Roberson and ex-Balch partner Joel I. Gilbert reported to federal prison for criminal acts born at the offices of Balch & Bingham.
And while Baker is dead, the Newsome Conspiracy Case continues alive and vibrant. Having exhausted all state and federal court remedies, a federal civil RICO lawsuit can now proceed.
The RICO will most likely come after additional indictments are handed down.
Could those be indictments that former U.S. attorney Jay Town, the disgraced Trump nominee, let slide on the first go-around of the North Birmingham Superfund scandal? That seems likely:
Like probate lawyers, sensible and responsible Balch leaders would have brought the Newsome Conspiracy Case, the David Roberson civil lawsuit, and other matters to an agreeable resolution and a close after Baker’s death.
Since 2017, we have asked Balch to conduct a top to bottom review of their firm, get rid of any bad apples, and apologize to the African-American community of North Birmingham.
In the summer of 2018, Balch, during a brief moment of mental clarity, attempted to reach out to us to bring matters to a close.
The former Assistant U.S. Attorney who represented Burt Newsome was blind-sided since he did not know what BanBalch.com exactly was or who we, the CDLU, were when they asked him to serve as an interlocutor.
Balch already has dug sizable holes for itself -- and it seems to insist on digging them deeper. Writes Forbes:
We wrote three years ago after Balch walked away from the resolution discussions:
Balch’s acts of impunity are no longer tolerated by the public; and acts of contrition, reconciliation, and forgiveness are the only path forward to salvage the firm.
Obviously someone with common sense at Balch & Bingham tried, in good faith, to reach out to us and put the matters behind them.
Instead, now, Balch & Bingham have reversed themselves and appears to be on a path of self-destruction.
The many honorable, ethical and professional Balch partners and their colleagues appear to have been ignored again by their leadership.
Prophetic.
Baker is dead, Gilbert is sitting in a federal prison, while Balch appears to be slowly hemorrhaging and dying.
The Crosswhite Scandal involving Alabama Power is bringing a new, heated spotlight on ex-Balch partner Mark A. Crosswhite, “the most powerful man in Alabama” according to his adoring fans.
The unsavory if not criminal conduct linked to alleged secret indemnity agreements is the cherry on top of a spoiled, rotten, inedible banana pudding full of maggots.
Will Balch ever come to their senses? Ever? Or will Balch partners continue to swallow the rotten pudding left behind a year ago?
Will be interesting to see if anyone can get to the bottom of the Crosswhite- indemnity deal. Why a public utility would have any business indemnifying a law firm is beyond me. Smells fishy, big time.
ReplyDeleteBalch reminds me of a boxer who isn't used to having an opponent who punches back. They are used to getting their way, without much opposition. But when somebody punches back, they don't know how to handle it.
ReplyDelete@2:16 --
ReplyDeleteI think your boxing metaphor is right on target. Balch is used to being able to punch without worrying that the other guy might land a haymaker on the chin. Balch has taken a few solid blows in the wrong places, and that has left the firm with wobbly knees.
Followup to a comment on yesterday's post:
ReplyDeleteAli Alexander was set to testify today before Jan. 6 committee, but it has been postponed, along with several other depositions.