Napoli Bern to split as partners settle bitter litigation

The 40-lawyer New York practice that advised victims of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks will be reborn as two firms, after the name partners agreed to settle proceedings over alleged financial irregularities and ethical misconduct.

The attorneys accused each other of soliciting Napoli Bern's current clients while branching off to start their own firms

The new firms, made out of the old practice of Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik, are to be called Napoli Shkolnick and BernRipka. Mr Napoli and Mr Bern had been involved in a fight over control of their firm since at least last October, with each accusing the other of unethical conduct regarding the firm’s management.

Referee

The case, Napoli v Bern, went through nine months of hearings and docket entries at the Supreme Court and reached 816 filings. Mark Zauderer, a partner at Flemming Zulack Williamson Zauderer, has been appointed as a referee to solve any disputes during the transition to the new firms. Sources: New York Law Journal; Law 360

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