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Greenburg Traurig Associate: Stole $500K, Gets 15 Months in Prison

By Jason Beahm on January 12, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Now this is what you call a greedy associate.

Ever been really fed up with your law firm? Michael Shaw, a former Greenberg Traurig associate got so fed up that he stole around half a million dollars from them. From 2003 to 2009, Shaw specialized in bankruptcy and commercial-foreclosure litigation, as well as skimming money off the top.

He pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to 15 months in prison. He has been disbarred by the Georgia State Bar. He will also have to perform 100 hours of community service, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports.

Shaw's plan really wasn't all that complex. In short, he fraudulenty turned in fake invoices to the firm and then deposited the checks into his account. Shaw turned in an invoice in the name of a fictitious vendor for title examinations. In fact, Shaw did the title examinations himself.

Regarding Mr. Shaw, United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, "As a lawyer, Shaw had a duty to act with his clients' best interests in mind. Instead, he used his position at the law firm to enrich himself at their expense. In the end, he lost his license to practice law and now faces federal prison."

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