FREE MONEY BABY

Monty:

Here's an update on the Bar/Bri lawsuit. I received this email from the administrator:

Thank you for your e-mail inquiry.

According to the cost information database you paid 1733.75

Regards,

Administrator

Did I really pay that much? For crying out loud, man.

Even more stupid is my involvement in other class actions. For instance, during the last year, I recieved a roughly $15 credit to my verizon account, but only if I signed up again. I also received, if I so claimed, two free credit reports.

In the last several years, my parents received four sleeping bags from Coleman as a result of an allegedly defective Mercury boat motor they purchased. They could've chosen a tent instead, I believe, but not the bags and the tent.

This one, on the other hand, is LUCRATIVE. I'm curious about several things with this BarBri settlement, though.

1. What did the NLADA have to do to be included as a donation option on the claim form? Seriously, what right does class counsel have to do that arbitrarily? That kind of crap shouldn't happen - even if lead plaintiff wanted it.

2. Okay, so a $49MM settlement - 25% to attorneys plus litigation and administrative expenses. I'm okay with that (although the case seems pretty straightforward since they have a smoking gun signed agreement.) Still, I'm okay. Then, the net goes to the class, but the distribution is limited to 30% limitation on all approved claims (huh?) with any settlement remaining distributed on a cy press basis. Why, pray tell, do we need the 30% limitation. Factor it in, figure it out and send me my money. Pull out the database and print the freakin' checks. Why limit the claims in advance and allow a cy press distribution. I'll tell you why. So that counsel can get a double dip on fees when there is extra money. That kind of crap shouldn't happen.

And don't get me started on Ken Lawson or Mike Nifong.

Happy 45th B-Day, Moose!