Letters.

'The Issue is Integrity'

Amanda Bronstad's article "She Said, He Said, They Said" (Nov. 26) missed the point and begs the following question. Why would a serious business publication elect to highlight false and salacious gossip instead of focusing on the real story: Ms. Perrin's and Greenberg Traurig's systematic billing fraud?

For me -- and the numerous other attorneys and staff who left Greenberg Traurig's Los Angeles office -- the issue is not the fevered rantings of a woman scorned. The issue is integrity. One need look no further than the evidence of Ms. Perrin's and Greenberg Traurig's billing irregularities and clumsy attempt to conceal them, confirmed by the independent accounting firm employed by American Lawyer, which published a carefully researched article about Greenberg Traurig's Los Angeles office.

The bizarre and pathetic lies of individuals desperate to cover it up are merely a diversion.

Steven M. Goldberg

Los Angeles

I am currently a tax associate working with Carol Perrin in the Greenberg Traurig Los Angeles office. Ms. Perrin is a brilliant tax and business attorney who is well liked and respected by her clients and those who work with her.

The situation last year at Greenberg Traurig (Nov. 26) furthers the relevance of the April 2001 L.A. Times article showing that bias still exists against a woman managing shareholder of a branch office of a national law firm. The truth is that a successful woman in the law is still subject to bias. And if the woman is the superior, as Ms. Perrin was as managing shareholder, she cannot be fired. Those against her must instead resort to lies and innuendos about her character and lies about how she runs her practice.

Elizabeth Waltert

Santa Monica 

Need to Secede 

Carole Wade sent a letter stating that the Valley should remain within Los Angeles. Perhaps. My only argument is that the Valley has taxation without representation.

I have contacted my councilwoman several times to correct a problem and can get no assistance, as she is more concerned with Brent-wood than Encino. Since the Valley provides the city with at least 40 percent of it's taxable income, 40 percent of the city council should represent the Valley. Part-time representation will not do.

Mayor Hahn, instead of raising money to fight secession, should allow the Valley to have adequate representation. Don't just take Qur tax monies for the city and not allow the Valley to have its streets repaired, adequate police and fire department coverage and city council members who can assist us when we need help. What we have now is absolutely nothing.

I am prepared to pay more for a government that cares about us and attends to our problems, but not to keep paying property taxes and receiving nothing in return, as I have for the past 30 years.

Gilbert Smith

Encino