UPDATED at 6:15 pm with comment from Gloria Allred, who represents many of Harvey Weinsteins accusers.
The committee of unsecured creditors in the Weinstein Co. bankruptcy has hired a law firm that has recovered millions of dollars for victims of clergy sexual abuse in bankruptcy cases.
The decision to retain Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones is another sign that the U.S. bankruptcy court will not overlook the claims of the women who said they were sexually abused and assaulted by the Weinstein Co.s co-founder Harvey Weinstein.
“I am very familiar with the firm and know some of the lawyers in it. I believe that this firm is an outstanding choice to represent the unsecured creditors,” said attorney Gloria Allred. “All of the alleged victims of the Weinstein Company are unsecured creditors. My law firm represents many of them. We look forward to achieving as much justice as is possible for our clients in the bankruptcy court.”
Louisette Geiss, the lead plaintiff in a class-action suit pending against Weinstein, is one of two accusers selected this week to serve on the Committee of Unsecured Creditors, alongside representatives of William Morris Endeavor, Light Chaser Animation and Access Digital Cinema parent, Cinedign.
“Hundreds of people were mistreated by The Weinstein Co. and lost their ability to work in the entertainment industry because they took a stand,” Geiss said in a statement. “I am proud to have been chosen to vigorously represent the interests of those who said no.'”
Pachulski Stang has worked extensively in recovering funds to benefit survivors of sexual abuse. In a bankruptcy case involving the Catholic Diocese of Stockton, the firm helped secure a $15 million trust to benefit survivors. It won a $16.5 million settlement for some 400 men and women who say they were molested as children by Christian Brothers of Ireland. In Wisconsin, it fought in court to recover $60 million which the Archdiocese of Milwaukee had transferred to a cemetery fund.
The appointment was first reported by Variety.
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