A class action against the Victorian government over last year's COVID-19 lockdown of public housing towers has been thrown into disarray, after the lawyer acting for residents had her practising licence revoked by the state's legal watchdog.She refused to hand over client information to a lawyer appointed to take over her firm's work after her licence was cancelled
The class action plaintiffs claim they were subjected to false imprisonment and assault during the forced lockdowns, which occurred after COVID-19 outbreaks at the social housing towers. In court, VLSB lawyer Nicole Papello did not outline the specific reasons for the cancellation, but said Ms Teffaha had made repeated public comments about "corruption" of Family Court judges.
Ms Teffaha, a sole practitioner and founder of Advocate Me, told the court her clients did not want to be identified or deal with the VLSB-appointed lawyer. The court may rule later this month on the future of the class action client information held by Ms Teffaha. Ms Teffaha told the court $654,000 in legal fees was frozen in a trust account, which she intended to refund to the class action clients. Up to $40,000 was in another firm account for "donations", she said.
What A Mess.
lol, sucked in.