Richard Burke
Robert Ramsey filed a motion to withdraw as attorney for Richard Burke in his $5 million lawsuit against Brad Lakin and the firm that bears his name.
Not listing a reason why he seeks to withdraw, Ramsey filed his motion with U.S. District Judge Michael Reagan on Feb. 27.
While Ramsey was dropping the case, James Foster, John Renick and Michelle Cain of McMahon Berger in St. Louis entered their appearances on behalf of Brad Lakin.
Burke filed suit Jan. 29, claiming his attempt to protect the interests of plaintiffs from persistent Lakin family scandals led to his firing and the loss of a $500,000 annual bonus.
Burke claims that after a civil sexual assault lawsuit was filed against Thomas Lakin, Bradley Lakin, Kristopher Lakin and the firm in May 2006, he told Bradley Lakin that a plan should be developed to protect the interests of the certified and putative classes in the event that Bradley Lakin or the Lakin firm were indicted by a grand jury.
Burke said he also discussed the possibilities of Bradley Lakin and the firm being sanctioned by the Illinois Bar for unethical conduct.
Burke claims he told Brad Lakin that adverse publicity could taint jury pools in Madison and St. Clair counties.
He accuses Lakin and the firm of breach of contract, fraud and tortuous interference with contract and/or business expectancy.
On March 1, Reagan set the case for trial for May 12, 2008, with the final pre-trial hearing on April 25, 2008.