Wage Law

One of Best Buy Co., Inc.'s favorite outside counsel will be withdrawing from the defense of a consumer class action after the shocking revelation that one of its partners, Timothy Block, had altered documents given to the plaintiffs in discovery. Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Cerisi has already put Block on an indefinite "medical leave", and the firm has removed Block's profile from their website (but you can still read it via Google cache). According to a news story from The Recorder, posted at law.com, the day after Block stopped working, he informed the firm "that he had redacted and altered documents that he later produced to plaintiffs in this matter." Block's attorney says he self-reported his actions to the Minnesota Board of Professional Responsibility. Block is currently being treated "for psychological conditions related to stress and depression." Robins Kaplan's withdrawal motion will be heard June 22 in the case entitled Odom v. Microsoft, 04-2-10618-4. Block's bio boasted of several successful cases involving Best Buy. We have heard of quite a few wage and hour cases against Bust Buy. If you litigation involving the firm, Mr. Block and/or Best Buy, you might want to take a fresh look at your discovery files.