Ice Cube's Big3 sued the law firm, alleging its lawyers gained info that was helpful to Big3’s adversariesGETTY IMAGES
The Big3 is "lobbing new allegations in a long-running dispute over whether Qatari officials tried to sabotage" league co-Founder Ice Cube's "nascent sports operation," according to Meg James of the L.A. TIMES. The Big3 sued the law firm Quinn Emanuel, "alleging that its lawyers inserted themselves into Big3’s legal affairs, gaining information that was helpful to Big3’s adversaries -- representatives of Qatar’s royal family." The suit alleges the high-powered law firm based in L.A. "engaged in fraud, legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty by looking out for the interests of its oil-rich clients at the expense of the fledgling basketball organization." After "nearly five months of legal work" in '18, Quinn Emanuel presented the Big3 with a $1.3M bill. The lawsuit said that the bill "included one month when 17 firm employees -- including nine attorneys -- handled various duties and the firm’s fees spiraled to nearly $778,000." Quinn Emanuel "denied the allegations." The firm "maintained that Big3 was aware of its clients in the Middle East, and dismissed the matter as nothing more than a dispute over an unpaid bill." The fee dispute is "expected to go to arbitration next week" (L.A. TIMES, 5/29).
