Sadly, lawyers misbehaving is an all-too familiar tale. Sometimes, however, the misconduct in question is so over-the-top and hard to believe that it approaches the dimension of a Hollywood scriptwriter's plot. If you don't believe me, just check out these examples.

The "Weekend at Bernie's" distinction has to go to the lawyers at Washington, D.C.-based Kaliel Gold, the lead law firm in a number of class actions targeting credit unions and banks for alleged undisclosed "junk fees." After filing a class action lawsuit against Rabobank in 2018, Kaliel Gold actively represented the class through its lead plaintiff, Joe Villanueva, for years. On Villanueva's behalf, the firm made settlement demands, rejected settlement offers, and even certified that Mr. Villanueva had reviewed documents produced to the defense. There was just one problem; as it turns out, Villanueva was deceased, having passed away six months after the suit was filed. Defense attorneys, after researching the plaintiff and finding his death certificate, have filed a motion for sanctions. The plaintiffs' firm maintains that it was unaware of Villanueva's death, but unfortunately, this has happened to them before—including another case in which the firm objected to a subpoena for records on the grounds that their client would be embarrassed (he had been dead for more than six months by that point). And they say "dead men tell no tales."