Prominent L.A. attorney accused of misleading judge in DWP scandal

An attorney who represents L.A. Department of Water and Power customers is being targeted in a State Bar complaint. In a 56-page complaint recently filed with the State Bar of California, Paul Paradis — a former attorney who was a part of the collusive lawsuit scheme before becoming a covert government witness in the corruption investigation — accused Kabateck of lying to the judge, among other ethical breaches. To secure the appointment, Kabateck had told L.A. County Superior Court Judge Elihu Berle, “I have no legal, business, financial, professional or personal relationship with Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer.” But Kabateck’s former law partner, Richard Kellner, helped co-sponsor an event for Feuer’s political campaign in 2013 and made subsequent donations to his campaign. Kellner is no longer a partner in my firm and has not been a partner since December 31, 2012.” In his complaint filed last month, Paradis said Kabateck’s law firm registration records indicate that Kabateck and Kellner remained law partners at least until August 2015, contradicting what he told the judge. He also highlighted numerous federal and state court cases filed by Kabateck’s firm between 2013 and 2021 involving Kellner, including a 2017 case in which Kellner identified himself as Kabateck’s law partner.