Lawsuit against lawyer: Misappropriation of 80,000 shekels in compensation

A young man from Petah Tikva is suing his former lawyer for 150,000 shekels after the lawyer kept the compensation money awarded to him. According to the lawsuit, filed in the Magistrate's Court in the city through Adv. Talia Barzani, the lawyer represented the young man in a personal injury lawsuit that ended in a settlement of 82,000 shekels.

According to the plaintiff, although the funds were transferred immediately by the defendant company, the lawyer evaded transferring them to him for over a year, providing vague excuses that the payment was delayed. When the client contacted the defendant himself to clarify the reason for the delay, he discovered to his astonishment that the money had been paid in full immediately after the settlement. In addition, it turned out that his signature had apparently been forged on an additional settlement document that was never presented to him.

After warning letters went unanswered, the young man filed complaints against the lawyer with the police and the Israel Bar Association for fraud and forgery. A civil lawsuit is now also underway, demanding the return of the funds, the cancellation of the legal fees, and compensation for emotional distress.

Adv. Talia Barzani (photo: Ben Nixon)

Adv. Barzani, who is now representing the young man, emphasized that this is one of the most serious offenses in the profession:

«The lawsuit goes beyond a regular financial dispute. If the allegations are true, this is a fatal blow to the absolute trust and fundamental principles upon which the legal profession rests.»

A statement of defense has not yet been filed.