I know in California, there is an attorney in San Diego that goes around looking at old buildings and the shark requires them to pay him a fee or he takes them to court. The guy is a scam artist.
This is how ****ed California is, these are old town buildings that he goes after are a 100 yrs old.
"Exhibit A is Theodore Pinnock, a disabled lawyer in San Diego. Pinnock & Wakefield, his law firm, has filed more than 2,000 ADA lawsuits against California businesses, touting a 95-percent settlement rate. In March, he demanded $10,500 from each of 40 businesses in Alpine, California, or he would sue alleging ADA violations. The incident surprised many local storeowners, who believed they were in compliance.
In January, Pinnock finished filing four class-action lawsuits against dozens of businesses in Julian, California. The suits stemmed from Pinnock’s visit to the historic Gold Rush town two months earlier. Pinnock claims his weekend was spoiled by the noncompliance of a number of small businesses.
Days after Pinnock returned home from vacation, 67 Julian mom-and-pop stores received letters demanding varying amounts of money in compensation—the smallest being $2,500—and ordering physical changes to the business establishments. If his demands were not met, Pinnock threatened to sue under state law, making them potentially liable for $125,000 in attorney fees, payable to Pinnock of course.
Because Pinnock is disabled, he often files ADA lawsuits on his own behalf or under one of his unincorporated associations. According to an insider, Pinnock admits to being the only disabled member of one association, with the remainder being family members. Pinnock says the money he demands is for his legal work. If Pinnock’s money demands are not met, he sues.
A few Julian storeowners negotiated settlements with Pinnock in exchange for temporary lawsuit immunity. Pinnock has given some of these businesses three years to fix access issues, confirming that money, not quick compliance, drives his lawsuits. So far, two of the four lawsuits have been settled.
Many businesses have refused to settle, fearing they will become easy targets and be sued again, though all favor making reasonable accommodations to comply with access laws. Some owners have offered to use their money to make access changes instead of settlement payments, but Pinnock has refused, again confirming that money is his motivation.
The longer a business delays settling, the higher Pinnock raises the settlement amount, ultimately suing the holdouts. Four businesses, including Bell, Book and Candle, a Julian specialty shop, have closed their doors citing Pinnock as the last straw.
Though distasteful, Pinnock’s actions are legal. His siege of businesses in Julian and Alpine illustrates how legal extortion thrives in the Golden State. Flaws in state law make it easy for professional shakedown artists to file suits, line their pockets, and shutter businesses.
Pinnock is determined to continue this practice. After local media began reporting on the Julian siege, Pinnock issued a warning on his firm’s website: “I am putting businesses on notice today to hire an ADA consultant, do a survey, take out a loan, and remove all barriers immediately. The ADA plaintiffs will increase lawsuits immediately. . . . I have no more compassion for businesses and respect for certain news reporters.”
California: Gold Mine for Legal Extortion | Conservative News, Views & Books