Tuesday, September 19, 2006
yes
Rhinoplasty
Friday, September 01, 2006
Mike Like Whoa
http://
Now, years after agreeing to pay the fee, Balemian wants her money back.
"I don't think anybody charged half that," said Kenneth Feinberg, the federally appointed special master who oversaw the fund. He called Troiano's fee "shocking and unconscionable."
However, Troiano points out that the award he won for Balemian, 44, was among the highest. He has filed a federal lawsuit against the widow, accusing her of behaving "greedily" in trying to have his fee overturned in Suffolk Surrogate Court. His suit seeks to prevent his fee from being taken away from him.
"We didn't sue him. So talk about 'greedy,'" said Balemian's lawyer, Kevin Simmons of Syosset, who called Troiano's fee "swollen and exorbitant."
The government's September 11 Victim Compensation Fund set a non-binding guideline for attorneys' fees of no more than 5 percent of any award. Feinberg said more than 3,000 families were represented for free or for "single-digit" percentages. The fund used a formula that included presumed loss of future earnings, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.
Feinberg agreed that Balemian's award was among the highest paid, but said it was "far from" the single highest of $8.6 million, given to Deborah Mardenfeld of Manhattan, who survived with severe burns over much of her body, several broken bones and other injuries. Her attorney, Guy Smiley of Manhattan, did not collect a fee. Suggesting that high awards were a direct result of legal representation "greatly overstates the role of the lawyer," Feinberg said.
Balemian, of Lloyd Harbor, and Troiano both declined to be interviewed for this story.
Balemian's husband, Edward Mardovich, 41, was the president of Eurobrokers Inc.'s securities division, Maxcor Financial Inc. - on the 84th floor of the World Trade Center's south tower - when he was killed. Soon after, Balemian, who remarried seven months after his death, went to Troiano for help for herself and her four children, who range in age from 13 to 19. Troiano had her sign a retainer that included his one-third contingency fee.
http://
http://
gas
Many San Diego investors looking to remain loyal to their home market have been wondering if investing in a different property class is a good way to stay local. These investors are hoping to ride out overall changing market conditions by staying local because (1) they know the area and (2) they are nervous about investing elsewhere. They want to believe that they may find shelter (and hopefully a little profit) in the San Diego commercial rental property market. John Kourbage
However, the latest news from the San Diego commercial rental property market has not been encouraging. Local investors are finding out that much of the market here has been tapped out. The latest numbers show that there are very few ìsuitableî replacement properties available for a 1031 exchange for the following reasons:
