Most lawyers have a vague recollection that it is unlawful for a stranger to a controversy to fund a lawsuit. It is called “maintenance.” Of course, there are important exceptions, so that, for example, an attorney can, as a general rule, represent a client on a contingent fee basis or can advance the costs of litigation. Current events concerning a billionaire’s backing of a tort case brought by another individual raise issues of a different kind and deserve the attention of the Legislature.
PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, a very well-heeled person, has been unmasked as having provided the funds for Hulk Hogan (his real name is Terry Gene Bollea) to sue Gawker Media for invasion of privacy (think: sex tape). Mr. Thiel reportedly paid Bollea’s lawyer. Bollea succeeded in obtaining a $140 million judgment against Gawker. Thiel’s apparent interest in hassling Gawker? It had outed him as gay years before.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
