Law firms were not just scammed in 2017. Incredibly, they were also the scammers.
A firm touted a bogus Times endorsement for years before being asked to explain itself. But the scam of choice for lawyers in 2017 was plagiarism. One week a barrister was exposed for nicking a Womble Bond Dickinson lawyer's article and publishing it under his own name.The next, Womble Bond Dickinson was shamed for plagiarising another solicitor's work. It seemed extraordinary that solicitors would indulge in such blatant cheating. But some absolutely love it, like the partner who ripped off barristers and lawyers for 'her' updates left, right and centre.
There were more familiar scams, too. BWB's lawyers had their identities lifted for a fake site. Squire Patton Boggs was the victim of state-sponsored chicanery, losing its very name to a decidedly iffy Chinese company, in a Chinese court.
In a series of stories, RollOnFriday exposed the murky world of legal awards. It began with the ex-Ince & Co partner who was jailed for a massive fraud on clients. He improbably won a 'Lawyer of the Year' award. In August, Carter Ruck, Orrick and Shoosmiths were mocked for burnishing their trophy cabinet with shonky awards. Then Shepherd & Wedderburn panicked after being called out for claiming its joke prize was "prestigious". And just in time for Christmas, RollOnFriday proved the awards might not be as rigorously researched as claimed when it won its own award. By claiming to be a Cypriot water taxi operator.
Tip Off ROF
A firm touted a bogus Times endorsement for years before being asked to explain itself. But the scam of choice for lawyers in 2017 was plagiarism. One week a barrister was exposed for nicking a Womble Bond Dickinson lawyer's article and publishing it under his own name.The next, Womble Bond Dickinson was shamed for plagiarising another solicitor's work. It seemed extraordinary that solicitors would indulge in such blatant cheating. But some absolutely love it, like the partner who ripped off barristers and lawyers for 'her' updates left, right and centre.
 |
How to get published. |
There were more familiar scams, too. BWB's lawyers had their identities lifted for a fake site. Squire Patton Boggs was the victim of state-sponsored chicanery, losing its very name to a decidedly iffy Chinese company, in a Chinese court.
In a series of stories, RollOnFriday exposed the murky world of legal awards. It began with the ex-Ince & Co partner who was jailed for a massive fraud on clients. He improbably won a 'Lawyer of the Year' award. In August, Carter Ruck, Orrick and Shoosmiths were mocked for burnishing their trophy cabinet with shonky awards. Then Shepherd & Wedderburn panicked after being called out for claiming its joke prize was "prestigious". And just in time for Christmas, RollOnFriday proved the awards might not be as rigorously researched as claimed when it won its own award. By claiming to be a Cypriot water taxi operator.
Please do not cheat yourself out of the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2018 survey, or the in-house lawyers survey.