This is so surreal it almost defies description. The objectors' attorney, Charles Chalmers, now represents the C-class in negotiations for a new Freelance Settlement. The C-class contains approximately 99 per cent of all claims. This brings the phrase "conflict of interest" to a new level.
In other words, the person most responsible for blowing up the original settlement eight years ago now represents the 99 percent of C-class members who were in favor of the original settlement. You can't make this stuff up.
Now, Chalmers has the gall to complain how difficult it is to complete a new settlement because "there are about 30 to 40 separate entities, or more, each with attorneys, that have to approve everything. It might be the most unwieldy class action settlement in history."
Huh? A matter that took four years to negotiate was settled eight years ago, the vast majority of the class members favored the settlement, and now Chalmers complains how difficult it is to reach a final agreement.
And what does he hope to accomplish? It is extremely unlikely that a new settlement would be any more advantageous to freelance writers. After all, after eight years, the defendants really don't have incentive to cut ANY new deal.
Thousands of writers are now at the mercy of angry, failed writer Irvin Muchnick and an old, out-of-touch lawyer.
Who says the legal system is broken.
