The rise of DTLA: Car crashes, costly surgeries and a $4-billion sex abuse settlement

[ad_1] Sereen Banna stated the companions of Downtown LA Regulation Group referred to as her “Erin Brockovich” for her work serving to a whole lot sue over noxious fumes spewing out of a landfill in northern Los Angeles County.

An formidable paralegal, Banna stated she embraced the position she had in empowering residents to tackle firms suspected of polluting their neighborhoods.

Her bosses had been proud, too, she stated. Banna, 28, recalled them saying she would make all of them billionaires sometime.

However in early 2024, Banna stated, she found a troubling pattern in a few of the agency’s most profitable circumstances: Purchasers who claimed they had been paid earlier than becoming a member of lawsuits.

On Dec. 16, Banna sued Downtown LA Regulation Group, often known as DTLA, stating the agency failed to handle her complaints about “unlawful solicitation, in addition to misleading and unethical practices aimed toward persuading people to develop into shoppers by misrepresentations.”

She accused the agency, which she left within the fall of 2024, of amassing plaintiffs by “practices that appeared designed to use susceptible people.”

DTLA referred to as the allegations “baseless,” saying they got here from a disgruntled former worker.

“Any allegations of fraud, paid referrals, or unethical practices by DTLA Regulation Group are usually not solely unsubstantiated, however false,” the agency stated in a press release. “We intend to struggle this within the courtroom of legislation, the place the information will present that we function with unwavering integrity, prioritizing shopper welfare.”

Banna’s lawsuit caps a tumultuous yr for DTLA. A partnership between three childhood mates, DTLA has grown from a small agency targeted on automobile crash victims right into a civil litigation powerhouse, submitting 1000's of circumstances associated to the January wildfires and sexual abuse in authorities amenities. The agency filed almost 1 / 4 of the circumstances within the $4-billion intercourse abuse settlement permitted final spring by Los Angeles County — the biggest of its form in U.S. historical past.

However the meteoric rise has drawn scrutiny.

The Occasions reported within the fall that 9 of the agency’s shoppers who sued over intercourse abuse in L.A. County amenities stated recruiters paid them to file a lawsuit, together with 4 who stated they had been informed to manufacture claims. The L.A. County district lawyer’s workplace is now conducting a probe into the allegations.

With the investigation pending, questions have lingered about how DTLA managed to amass so many plaintiffs so shortly. The Occasions spoke to greater than 40 of the agency’s shoppers and 10 former staff, lots of whom described aggressive ways to usher in new shoppers and reap earnings stretching again years.

Greater than a dozen individuals represented by DTLA in private damage circumstances stated they had been recruited at a disaster level of their lives with guarantees of large payouts and pressured into costly surgical procedures that attorneys stated would make their case extra helpful. The extra medical procedures, they had been informed, the extra damages attorneys might declare.

On the finish, some shoppers say, they had been left with a fraction of what they had been promised.

DTLA stated in a press release it exists “to help shoppers by a few of the most troublesome moments of their lives.”

“That features serving to them keep away from pointless monetary stress whereas their circumstances are pending,” the agency stated. “Medical care selections are made solely by shoppers and their physicians.”

<img class="image" alt="Sereen Banna, a former DTLA paralegal" srcset="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/508130d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3786+0+0/resize/320x202!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2Ff7%2F9c4155d34b8d89805d48830d4d7b%2F1535039-me-dtla-firm-whistleblower-ajs-05.jpg 320w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/32f6de0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3786+0+0/resize/568x358!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2Ff7%2F9c4155d34b8d89805d48830d4d7b%2F1535039-me-dtla-firm-whistleblower-ajs-05.jpg 568w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1926adb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3786+0+0/resize/768x485!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2Ff7%2F9c4155d34b8d89805d48830d4d7b%2F1535039-me-dtla-firm-whistleblower-ajs-05.jpg 768w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f3cc8e7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3786+0+0/resize/1080x681!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2Ff7%2F9c4155d34b8d89805d48830d4d7b%2F1535039-me-dtla-firm-whistleblower-ajs-05.jpg 1080w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ba62b6d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3786+0+0/resize/1240x782!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2Ff7%2F9c4155d34b8d89805d48830d4d7b%2F1535039-me-dtla-firm-whistleblower-ajs-05.jpg 1240w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/91287a6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3786+0+0/resize/1440x909!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2Ff7%2F9c4155d34b8d89805d48830d4d7b%2F1535039-me-dtla-firm-whistleblower-ajs-05.jpg 1440w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4f41ced/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3786+0+0/resize/2160x1363!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2Ff7%2F9c4155d34b8d89805d48830d4d7b%2F1535039-me-dtla-firm-whistleblower-ajs-05.jpg 2160w" sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1262" src="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/11c0937/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x3786+0+0/resize/2000x1262!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2Ff7%2F9c4155d34b8d89805d48830d4d7b%2F1535039-me-dtla-firm-whistleblower-ajs-05.jpg" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/> Sereen Banna, a former DTLA paralegal, sued the agency on Dec. 16, alleging it didn't hearken to her complaints of unethical solicitation. The agency has denied wrongdoing.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)

Banna stated in her lawsuit she “repeatedly complained” about how shoppers had been being solicited.

She stated in an interview she reported the primary paid landfill shopper she was conscious of — a girl who obtained a $20 present card — to her bosses in early 2024. In her lawsuit, she alleged “such conduct constitutes illegal and unethical conduct for attorneys.”

She stated her boss informed her the alleged funds can be investigated.

“At that time, I used to be reminded it was above my pay grade,” she stated.

‘A extremely large a part of the recruitment course of’ Banna stated she resigned from DTLA in October 2024, across the time the agency started pursuing a brand new cohort of shoppers: human trafficking victims who’d been abused in inns.

Banna stated one in all her colleagues, an consumption coordinator, informed her a person named Kevin Johnson had paid one intercourse employee $20 to return into the workplace.

Over the past two years, 5 ex-workers informed The Occasions, Johnson grew to become an more and more widespread sight on the agency as he began shepherding in shoppers he’d discovered to sue over intercourse abuse within the juvenile halls and the Eaton fireplace. Like most former staff, the ex-workers requested anonymity, fearing skilled retaliation.

Johnson, a 54-year-old entertainer who hosts gospel brunches and soul nights in Inglewood in accordance with his social media, didn't reply to messages or a letter left at his house. The agency is at the moment representing him in a lawsuit over a Mid-Metropolis automobile crash.

California legislation bans a follow referred to as capping, by which non-attorneys solicit shoppers to affix litigation with a agency. DTLA has denied working with cappers and Johnson didn't reply to questions on his recruitment for the agency.

Former staff stated Johnson was accountable for bringing in a lot of shoppers.

“He's a extremely large a part of the recruitment course of for Downtown LA,” stated Banna, who described how she was referred to as to do consumption with intercourse abuse shoppers after Johnson introduced them into the places of work of one of many companions.

Johnson wasn’t a DTLA worker, but staff say he was a well-recognized face across the workplace.

He was shut with the companions and chummy with staff, handing out fortunate $2 payments to staff final vacation season, three former staff stated. Two stated that at one level he had his personal swipe card, so he might come and go freely.

A digital path connects Johnson to DTLA’s shopper checklist.

The Occasions discovered greater than a dozen mates of Johnson’s on Fb who appeared to have a intercourse abuse lawsuit filed with the county. To do that, The Occasions cross-referenced a listing of county intercourse abuse plaintiffs represented by DTLA with Johnson’s Fb mates to see what number of shared figuring out particulars.

Larisa Ellis, whom Johnson describes on Fb as his spouse, paid somebody who later had a DTLA intercourse abuse lawsuit $50 at a social providers workplace in November 2024 with the fee caption “Thanks for utilizing our referral service,” in accordance with a Money app transaction. Ellis didn't reply to a message and a letter left at their house.

“DTLA doesn't pay shoppers to retain our providers or for referrals,” the agency stated in a press release.

<img class="image" alt="Austin Beagle and Nevada Barker, former client of DTLA" srcset="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dbc81a1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/320x213!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F3c%2Ff7172e3c4ba69a7cbab6ab7a6d85%2F1525973-me-fraudulent-lawsuit-la-county08-jg.jpg 320w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/257501a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/568x379!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F3c%2Ff7172e3c4ba69a7cbab6ab7a6d85%2F1525973-me-fraudulent-lawsuit-la-county08-jg.jpg 568w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/636b800/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/768x512!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F3c%2Ff7172e3c4ba69a7cbab6ab7a6d85%2F1525973-me-fraudulent-lawsuit-la-county08-jg.jpg 768w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9eec9f8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/1080x720!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F3c%2Ff7172e3c4ba69a7cbab6ab7a6d85%2F1525973-me-fraudulent-lawsuit-la-county08-jg.jpg 1080w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/26b13dd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/1240x827!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F3c%2Ff7172e3c4ba69a7cbab6ab7a6d85%2F1525973-me-fraudulent-lawsuit-la-county08-jg.jpg 1240w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/62089b0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F3c%2Ff7172e3c4ba69a7cbab6ab7a6d85%2F1525973-me-fraudulent-lawsuit-la-county08-jg.jpg 1440w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2d64cf3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/2160x1441!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F3c%2Ff7172e3c4ba69a7cbab6ab7a6d85%2F1525973-me-fraudulent-lawsuit-la-county08-jg.jpg 2160w" sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1334" src="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/92390ab/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/2000x1334!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F3c%2Ff7172e3c4ba69a7cbab6ab7a6d85%2F1525973-me-fraudulent-lawsuit-la-county08-jg.jpg" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/> Austin Beagle and Nevada Barker, former shoppers of DLTA, stated they had been paid to sue over alleged sexual abuse in L.A. County by a person named Kevin, whose final identify they didn’t know. Beagle and Barker later had their lawsuit dismissed.

(Joe Garcia / For The Occasions)

Nevada Barker and Austin Beagle, two former DTLA shoppers, beforehand informed The Occasions a person named Kevin, whose final identify they didn’t know, paid them $100 every in DTLA’s workplace after they made false claims of intercourse abuse. Barker recognized Johnson by footage as the person who paid her.

The couple stated they had been below the impression they had been being compensated to be actors in a film. The agency later requested the courtroom to dismiss their lawsuits.

“He stated he labored for a referral service and the lawsuit wanted sufficient individuals to undergo,” stated Beagle. “He didn’t work for the legislation workplace.”

‘Inform her I obtained $ for her’ A number of shoppers informed The Occasions they had been provided cash by DTLA companion Farid Yaghoubtil if they may discover individuals to join lawsuits with the agency.

“He referred to as it an development, ” stated LaShelle Allison, 53, a former shopper who stated she referred a number of automobile accident victims for Yaghoubtil. “Right here’s $250,’ ‘Right here’s $650,’ ‘Right here’s $500 for lease.”

California is without doubt one of the few states the place legal professionals are allowed to mortgage shoppers cash.

The State Bar has a common rule that legal professionals are usually not speculated to pay “private or enterprise bills.” The bar makes exceptions that embrace if the shopper guarantees in writing to repay the mortgage, for offering funds to advertise “the pursuits of an indigent individual,” and for “advancing prices” to guard a shopper, with compensation contingent on the end result of the matter.

DTLA stated in a press release that it gives small loans to shoppers “in restricted conditions.”

“The agency has provided small, interest-free micro-advances to assist with short-term wants like short-term housing or primary bills, particularly so shoppers don't really feel compelled to show to third-party lenders,” the agency stated. “These advances are solely voluntary, by no means tied to medical or authorized selections, and are solely recovered if a case is efficiently resolved.”

Akeem Smith, 40, had DTLA sue on his behalf not less than 4 instances, twice for automobile crashes, as soon as after he was punched at an evening membership and once more over a purchasing cart mishap at Ceremony Support.

Smith referred 10 potential shoppers to Yaghoubtil, almost all automobile crash victims, in accordance with textual content messages between the 2 males. In return, Smith stated, he was informed he’d be compensated, although he stated he was dissatisfied to seek out he was by no means paid for the shoppers he referred.

As a substitute, Smith stated he obtained month-to-month advances of about $2,000 primarily based on potential settlements the agency was anticipating in his circumstances.

Smith stated he would encourage shoppers to join circumstances with DTLA however didn't pay them. He informed some about cash Yaghoubtil was providing.

“Inform her I obtained $ for her,” Yaghoubtil texted Aug. 9, 2022, concerning a girl who Smith stated had been in an accident and was contemplating not transferring ahead with the agency. “Get her again for me.”

<img class="image" alt="Akeem Smith stands in front of the old DTLA office in East Hollywood." srcset="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cf7022a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5436x3624+0+0/resize/320x213!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F46%2F17f48a4f444e94a8853e687c3b5b%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-003-rb.jpg 320w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/832c82b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5436x3624+0+0/resize/568x379!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F46%2F17f48a4f444e94a8853e687c3b5b%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-003-rb.jpg 568w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3489a13/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5436x3624+0+0/resize/768x512!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F46%2F17f48a4f444e94a8853e687c3b5b%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-003-rb.jpg 768w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f9ad6da/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5436x3624+0+0/resize/1080x720!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F46%2F17f48a4f444e94a8853e687c3b5b%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-003-rb.jpg 1080w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a82bd10/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5436x3624+0+0/resize/1240x826!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F46%2F17f48a4f444e94a8853e687c3b5b%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-003-rb.jpg 1240w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3dd9db2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5436x3624+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F46%2F17f48a4f444e94a8853e687c3b5b%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-003-rb.jpg 1440w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6655880/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5436x3624+0+0/resize/2160x1440!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F46%2F17f48a4f444e94a8853e687c3b5b%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-003-rb.jpg 2160w" sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1333" src="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8c1c05f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5436x3624+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F46%2F17f48a4f444e94a8853e687c3b5b%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-003-rb.jpg" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/> Akeem Smith stands in entrance of the previous DTLA workplace in East Hollywood.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Occasions)

After The Occasions reached out to DTLA in search of touch upon the allegations made by Smith, Yaghoubtil texted Smith asking him to inform the reporter that “all the pieces you informed her was a lie” and to remind The Occasions that he was nonetheless a shopper of the agency, in accordance with a message Smith shared.

The subsequent day, after telling The Occasions he deliberate to enter DTLA’s workplace, Smith falsely accused the reporter through textual content of harassment and failing to reveal they had been a journalist.

In August, Smith made an ill-fated try and sue the agency, representing himself in a lawsuit accusing them of maintaining an excessive amount of of his settlement cash. He requested for the case to be dismissed a month later.

Smith stated he grew to become depending on the agency for earnings and, generally, shelter. In the summertime of 2022, Smith moved right into a downtown constructing the place he paid lease to Yaghoubtil’s uncle, in accordance with textual content messages between the 2 males. The handwritten lease, rife with misspellings, stated he might keep there till he “seatel his case whit Dawntow Regulation Group.”

Smith stated he made month-to-month journeys to select up checks from DTLA, which was offering him cash for his lease, payments, meals and automobile repairs, in accordance with mortgage statements and textual content messages between the 2 males.

Smith stated he flitted out and in of homelessness throughout that point — his first time ever with out secure housing.

“Once I met you I had my very own all the pieces,” Smith texted Yaghoubtil July 18, 2022 “Now I don’t even have garments.”

Listed in Smith’s cellphone as “Farid Ferrari,” Yaghoubtil replied, “What occurred to the cash you bought?”

Landlords, landfills and ‘incentives in trade for signatures’ Downtown LA Regulation Group, based in 2016, is run by three longtime mates.

Yaghoubtil, 42, is cousins with founding companion Daniel Azizi, 43. They met Salar Hendizadeh, 44, in elementary faculty, in accordance with an interview they did with a business actual property firm.

All attended Beverly Hills Excessive Faculty collectively, yearbooks present.

Hendizadeh left the agency in October, in accordance with a letter despatched to workers this month. The notice didn't clarify why however stated Hendizadeh “can't be conducting any agency associated enterprise.” He didn't reply to an inquiry from The Occasions.

Many purchasers who spoke to The Occasions stated that among the many companions, Yaghoubtil specifically vied arduous to get their enterprise.

In January 2019, William Brighton, who was within the VA hospital recovering from a automobile accident, requested a choose for a restraining order in opposition to Yaghoubtil, accusing him of creating “quite a few visits on the hospital to coerce (and bribe) me to retain them as counsel.”

He stated Yaghoubtil provided him $1,000 to modify from his present legislation agency, in accordance with the request for a restraining order. Brighton later requested a choose to dismiss the case.

DTLA didn't deal with questions in regards to the restraining order request.

The agency expanded shortly, outgrowing 4 completely different places of work earlier than touchdown this yr in a 52,000-square-foot headquarters within the Arts District. They moved past their bread-and-butter fare of non-public damage, including departments for mass torts — circumstances that entails 1000's of individuals suing over the identical factor — and housing legislation.

<img class="image" alt="An empty plot of land owned by Downtown LA Law Group " srcset="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/352cba9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3743+0+0/resize/320x213!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F45%2Ffb%2F538d98a24a6bb014b5d14c39a153%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-006-rb.jpg 320w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0136edd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3743+0+0/resize/568x379!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F45%2Ffb%2F538d98a24a6bb014b5d14c39a153%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-006-rb.jpg 568w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e495069/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3743+0+0/resize/768x512!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F45%2Ffb%2F538d98a24a6bb014b5d14c39a153%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-006-rb.jpg 768w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1117773/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3743+0+0/resize/1080x720!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F45%2Ffb%2F538d98a24a6bb014b5d14c39a153%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-006-rb.jpg 1080w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d5f04eb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3743+0+0/resize/1240x826!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F45%2Ffb%2F538d98a24a6bb014b5d14c39a153%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-006-rb.jpg 1240w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e99f258/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3743+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F45%2Ffb%2F538d98a24a6bb014b5d14c39a153%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-006-rb.jpg 1440w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3293b34/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3743+0+0/resize/2160x1440!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F45%2Ffb%2F538d98a24a6bb014b5d14c39a153%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-006-rb.jpg 2160w" sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1333" src="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3ee334d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3743+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F45%2Ffb%2F538d98a24a6bb014b5d14c39a153%2F1534659-me-downtown-la-law-akeem-smith-006-rb.jpg" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/> An empty plot of land the place the DTLA companions used to personal an condo constructing throughout the road from their East Hollywood workplace. A number of tenants sued the companions for residing circumstances and the constructing is now demolished.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Occasions)

The trio moonlighted as landlords themselves, proudly owning an condo constructing throughout the road from their East Hollywood workplace. They had been sued by a number of items in 2023 and 2024 over residing circumstances, together with allegations of infestations of rats, vermin and cockroaches that tenants stated made their lives “a residing hell.” One of many circumstances settled for $2 million, in accordance with courtroom information.

The companions had been charged in October 2024 with a misdemeanor for failing to keep up the constructing. The case was dismissed and the constructing is now demolished.

Round 2024, their mass torts enterprise started booming, beginning with the landfill lawsuits, by which the agency accused the operators of recklessly permitting nauseating odors.

Heather Stone stated she noticed representatives of DTLA on the lookout for individuals for landfill circumstances exterior a Santa Clarita Walmart in 2024, one in all two residents who informed The Occasions they noticed representatives on the retailer who seemed to be recruiting shoppers.

<img class="image" alt="Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic" srcset="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e9e8df1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/320x240!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F22%2Fd9a095d94a3cac7626faee2d2711%2F1413957-me-smoldering-chiquita-canyon-landfill-protest-11-ajs.jpg 320w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a8cabaf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/568x426!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F22%2Fd9a095d94a3cac7626faee2d2711%2F1413957-me-smoldering-chiquita-canyon-landfill-protest-11-ajs.jpg 568w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9724e70/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/768x576!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F22%2Fd9a095d94a3cac7626faee2d2711%2F1413957-me-smoldering-chiquita-canyon-landfill-protest-11-ajs.jpg 768w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b4c2cf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/1080x810!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F22%2Fd9a095d94a3cac7626faee2d2711%2F1413957-me-smoldering-chiquita-canyon-landfill-protest-11-ajs.jpg 1080w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/79a7673/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/1240x930!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F22%2Fd9a095d94a3cac7626faee2d2711%2F1413957-me-smoldering-chiquita-canyon-landfill-protest-11-ajs.jpg 1240w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/935b0fe/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/1440x1080!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F22%2Fd9a095d94a3cac7626faee2d2711%2F1413957-me-smoldering-chiquita-canyon-landfill-protest-11-ajs.jpg 1440w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/983a087/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/2160x1620!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F22%2Fd9a095d94a3cac7626faee2d2711%2F1413957-me-smoldering-chiquita-canyon-landfill-protest-11-ajs.jpg 2160w" sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1500" src="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0d4af63/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/2000x1500!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F22%2Fd9a095d94a3cac7626faee2d2711%2F1413957-me-smoldering-chiquita-canyon-landfill-protest-11-ajs.jpg" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/> Castaic’s Chiquita Canyon Landfill, which residents say emits noxious odors, is the topic of a flood of lawsuits introduced by DTLA.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)

Banna stated in an interview that she later discovered some shoppers for the landfill circumstances had been receiving present playing cards to signal petitions at field shops within the space and people names later appeared on signed retainers though shoppers had been adamant they by no means signed up for a lawsuit. She accused the agency in her lawsuit of “offering present playing cards, cash presents, and comparable incentives in trade for signatures.”

The agency stated in a press release it might be unimaginable for somebody to imagine they had been signing a petition after they had been signing up for a lawsuit because of the giant variety of paperwork required to return on board.

“If somebody made that declare, we would definitely discontinue our providers at their request,” the agency stated.

A former DTLA case supervisor, who requested to stay nameless, fearing skilled repercussions, stated the alleged recruitment effort grew to become clear to him after he was assigned to name individuals from a listing he’d been offered of recent Chiquita Canyon shoppers and located a number of who believed they'd signed up for a petition, not a case.

“Plenty of these individuals had been utterly unaware of what they had been signing up for,” the previous case supervisor stated.

Surgical procedures and guarantees of ‘lottery cash’ Three former case managers, who labored as liaisons between shoppers and attorneys, described the identical modus operandi at DTLA: Enroll private damage shoppers, then get them to comply with surgical procedures.

The extra surgical procedures, they had been informed, the extra revenue, as it might make the case extra helpful by permitting legal professionals to say increased medical damages.

The case managers stated companions pushed surgical procedures and would give bonuses when shoppers went below the knife. Docs — who stood to learn by with the ability to invoice for the procedures — would have presents dropped off on the workplace, the ex-employees stated.

The agency stated any allegations of unethical practices had been the results of “disgruntled former staff ... who've ulterior self-serving motives.”

The case managers reported getting $500 checks from the agency after they obtained a shopper to comply with a surgical procedure — typically with the phrase “bonus” within the memo. The Occasions seen one in all these “bonus” checks, which the previous worker stated was for a shopper’s pores and skin graft.

In the event that they didn’t persuade their shoppers to get surgical procedures, the previous case managers stated they feared shedding their job. Yaghoubtil would ask case managers to ship him a listing of their surgical procedures on the finish of the month, in accordance with messages seen by The Occasions.

“Our sx numbers for the month of Might had been very low,” stated Yaghoubtil in a June 3 Groups message to 64 workers members, utilizing an abbreviation for surgical procedure. “Many had been unable to provide even a single process… this isn't acceptable.”

“How are you going to go a complete month and never have not less than one in all your circumstances labored up?” he continued. “It doesn't go un-noticed and will probably be letting go of those that are usually not making an attempt arduous sufficient.”

The agency stated in a press release that it doesn’t intervene with a shopper’s medical care selections.

“DTLA’s position is to advocate, inform, and help with transparency, compassion, and respect at each stage of the method,” the agency stated.

<img class="image" alt=" The DTLA Law Group building at the former Lucky Brand headquarters" srcset="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b30c85c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4736x3061+0+0/resize/320x207!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8d%2F7daf26524888bb73df5a089a566a%2F1534741-me-dtla-law-group-05-mjc.jpg 320w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4b3df56/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4736x3061+0+0/resize/568x367!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8d%2F7daf26524888bb73df5a089a566a%2F1534741-me-dtla-law-group-05-mjc.jpg 568w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bf6de21/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4736x3061+0+0/resize/768x497!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8d%2F7daf26524888bb73df5a089a566a%2F1534741-me-dtla-law-group-05-mjc.jpg 768w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/821e8e4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4736x3061+0+0/resize/1080x698!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8d%2F7daf26524888bb73df5a089a566a%2F1534741-me-dtla-law-group-05-mjc.jpg 1080w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/66ebaee/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4736x3061+0+0/resize/1240x802!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8d%2F7daf26524888bb73df5a089a566a%2F1534741-me-dtla-law-group-05-mjc.jpg 1240w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9ad3408/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4736x3061+0+0/resize/1440x931!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8d%2F7daf26524888bb73df5a089a566a%2F1534741-me-dtla-law-group-05-mjc.jpg 1440w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3dca0e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4736x3061+0+0/resize/2160x1396!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8d%2F7daf26524888bb73df5a089a566a%2F1534741-me-dtla-law-group-05-mjc.jpg 2160w" sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1293" src="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/04e64fc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4736x3061+0+0/resize/2000x1293!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8d%2F7daf26524888bb73df5a089a566a%2F1534741-me-dtla-law-group-05-mjc.jpg" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/> DTLA lately moved into a brand new workplace on the former Fortunate Model headquarters within the Arts District of Los Angeles.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)

Jacqueline McClelland, 60, stated she was assured “lottery cash” by a DTLA lawyer in July 2018 after she slipped in a puddle of oil in a Willowbrook purchasing plaza.

The insurer for the plaza referred to as her up and provided her $1 million if she didn’t lawyer up, she stated. However she stated her DTLA lawyer promised they may get her much more — so long as she went to all of the medical doctors they really useful. She turned the insurer down.

Her case settled for $350,000.

It was not even near sufficient to pay for the half-million in charges she stated she’d racked up, primarily from going to medical doctors. She stated she remains to be in excruciating again ache from her surgical procedure.

DTLA took 46% of the settlement and despatched the remainder of the cash to a choose to determine find out how to divvy between her and the 31 medical doctors, clinics and mortgage firms she owes, in accordance with a courtroom report filed on behalf of DTLA to find out the distribution. A volunteer at a Watts highschool, McClelland has spent a yr lawyerless in courtroom preventing for any little bit of it she will get.

“Is somebody serving to you?” requested Decide Gary Tanaka at a Dec. 17 listening to in his Torrance courtroom the place she had been showing with such regularity that the clerk is aware of her by first identify.

“Nobody. Sorry, your honor, nobody has helped me in any respect,” stated McClelland, standing in a courtroom continuing she stated repeatedly she didn't perceive. “Downtown LA Regulation simply gave me to the wolves.”

“I might agree with that,” stated Scott Meehan, an lawyer representing one of many medical doctors preventing her for her settlement cash.

DTLA stated it couldn't touch upon privileged conversations with McClelland. The agency stated in a press release that each one medical suppliers had respectable liens that entitled them to cash from the shopper’s settlement, together with McClelland’s.

<img class="image" alt="Jacqueline McClelland, a former client of DTLA" srcset="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dbf9fee/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/320x213!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F3f%2F3117dbb1496fa0faacd195558bfb%2F1534553-me-downtown-la-law-mcclelland-01-mjc.jpg 320w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/44ee1f5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/568x379!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F3f%2F3117dbb1496fa0faacd195558bfb%2F1534553-me-downtown-la-law-mcclelland-01-mjc.jpg 568w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ffa1654/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/768x512!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F3f%2F3117dbb1496fa0faacd195558bfb%2F1534553-me-downtown-la-law-mcclelland-01-mjc.jpg 768w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9161544/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/1080x720!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F3f%2F3117dbb1496fa0faacd195558bfb%2F1534553-me-downtown-la-law-mcclelland-01-mjc.jpg 1080w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c3b6a4a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/1240x826!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F3f%2F3117dbb1496fa0faacd195558bfb%2F1534553-me-downtown-la-law-mcclelland-01-mjc.jpg 1240w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5c10dbe/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F3f%2F3117dbb1496fa0faacd195558bfb%2F1534553-me-downtown-la-law-mcclelland-01-mjc.jpg 1440w,https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c81b4df/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/2160x1440!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F3f%2F3117dbb1496fa0faacd195558bfb%2F1534553-me-downtown-la-law-mcclelland-01-mjc.jpg 2160w" sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1333" src="https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/002190e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2F3f%2F3117dbb1496fa0faacd195558bfb%2F1534553-me-downtown-la-law-mcclelland-01-mjc.jpg" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/> Jacqueline McClelland, a former shopper of DTLA, stands exterior Los Angeles Superior Court docket in Torrance on Dec. 17 forward of her courtroom listening to.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)

The Occasions discovered courtroom information for greater than 60 DTLA shoppers who had prices, sometimes medical payments, that ended up being greater than their settlement. In these circumstances, DTLA couldn’t persuade the medical doctors to cut back charges, and the lawyer would hand the remaining cash over to let the courtroom determine find out how to divvy it up amongst everybody who wanted to be paid.

However the legal professionals get their minimize — in some circumstances, greater than three-quarters of the settlement, in accordance with lawsuits filed on the agency’s behalf to find out who will get the remaining cash.

“Our shoppers solely pay for authorized charges and prices in the event that they win a lawsuit or get a settlement,” DTLA stated in a press release.

After he was overwhelmed by a Santa Monica safety guard, David Villatoro, a 33-year-old building employee, stated a DTLA lawyer informed him he might get half 1,000,000 straightforward, most likely double that. However provided that he went to a litany of medical doctors’ appointments, together with a neck surgical procedure.

It will imply shedding his building job and happening incapacity. However he claims his lawyer stated the surgical procedure would make the case extra helpful.

“That’s the place the large bucks are available,” he recalled the lawyer saying.

The large bucks by no means got here.

As a substitute, months after the case settled, Villatoro obtained an e mail telling him to not contact the agency anymore about his case. Attorneys had taken 58% of his settlement cash — about $72,000 — and he must go to courtroom to struggle for a minimize of what was left together with the medical doctors.

He stated he nonetheless can’t flip his head totally to the fitting.

“I’m simply so confused,” he stated. “I used to be so naive. It was my first time ever, ever, ever getting a lawyer.”

Laura Stephenson, a 57-year-old baker, was informed by her DTLA lawyer that her slip-and-fall in her Menifee cul-de-sac might web tens of millions. However she would want to do a shoulder surgical procedure.

She hesitated. It will imply an excessive amount of time away from her bakery and she or he wasn’t certain she needed to do it. The lawyer satisfied her by providing her a mortgage for $10,000, she stated.

Greater than 4 years after the autumn, she has obtained no cash and might’t totally transfer her arm. The agency took 77% of her $175,000 settlement, in accordance with a courtroom submitting to determine find out how to distribute the cash. The remaining went to the courtroom to distribute, and she or he remains to be preventing to get a portion.

“I'm residing this nightmare,” stated Stephenson, one in all eight individuals The Occasions spoke with who stated they filed a criticism with the State Bar.

The agency stated all medical therapy was voluntary and ethics guidelines stop sharing extra details about discussions with shoppers.

“DTLA doesn't power anybody to obtain medical therapy they are not looking for,” the agency stated.

Uber, a typical goal of DTLA, sued the agency and one of many important surgeons utilized by shoppers, Greg Khounganian, final summer season for racketeering, alleging the agency had “facet agreements” with him to inflate medical payments for pointless procedures. Uber’s lawsuit alleged that many sufferers underwent an pointless spinal fusion that takes months to get better from to be able to get a bigger settlement.

In some circumstances, Uber alleged, Khounganian inflated the payments by as a lot as 640%. If the case didn’t accept a lot, the lawsuit said, Khounganian would comply with dramatically cut back their liens.

In an Instagram publish, DTLA referred to as the lawsuit a “calculated try by a billion-dollar company” to suppress respectable claims. An lawyer representing Khounganian stated the physician had a spotless skilled report and had by no means confronted any disciplinary motion.

“He's assuredly a first-rate and extensively revered orthopedic surgeon,” Stephen Larson, an lawyer for Khounganian, stated in a press release. “Uber’s meritless lawsuit, we imagine, is a part of its nationwide political and lawfare marketing campaign to suppress legal responsibility for accidents attributable to Uber’s drivers.”

Khounganian sought to have Uber’s case in opposition to him dismissed, along with his attorneys calling it in a single courtroom submitting “a lawsuit designed purely for tabloid impact with no significant effort at substance.”

One individual, who noticed one other physician for a coronary heart valve situation that heightened the danger of problems, might not stroll for greater than 10 minutes after their surgical procedure, Uber alleged within the lawsuit.

DTLA shoppers stated the agency would typically insist on sending them to particular L.A. medical doctors even when they lived in a special county, or, in some circumstances, a special state.

Christy Strickland, who had a case over a fall that occurred whereas working for the supply app Instacart, stated the agency insisted L.A. medical doctors had been cheaper than these in Texas. So she stated they flew her in from Houston and as soon as gave her fuel cash to drive, placing her up in a resort for 2 weeks to recuperate together with two of her youngsters.

These journey bills would complete greater than $10,000 — together with two $482 Uber rides, in accordance with a breakdown. She stated she was by no means informed these journey prices can be popping out of her cash.

“YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR suggested me to get these surgical procedures and I've informed you that I'm nonetheless in ache much more because the surgical procedure,” she emailed Yaghoubtil in July 2023. “Have you learnt the way it feels to get up within the morning and your again hurts so dangerous all you are able to do is simply lay there till it subsides?”

In November, Yaghoubtil, talking on a podcast episode referred to as “Lawyering With Empathy,” emphasised his focus was by no means high-dollar verdicts. The well-being of shoppers, he stated, all the time got here earlier than revenue.