The predecessor to the San Diego firm was founded by Bill Lerach, the convicted felon whose practice of paying plaintiffs kickbacks in securities cases led to the provision above.

FORBES: Class-Action Lawyers Fight For Piece Of JPMorgan Case

Robbins Geller, of course, has roots in the firm founded by class-action titan Bill Lerach who ultimately went to jail for bending the rules and paying plaintiffs kickbacks for participating in his suits.

FORBES: Judge May Sanction Robbins Geller Over Padded Expenses

Congress passed the Public Securities Litigation Reform Act to halt the abusive practice of paying kickbacks to plaintiffs in securities cases, which sent former top plaintiff lawyers Bill Lerach and Mel Weiss to jail.

FORBES: State Lawyers Find New Berths At Outside Firms They Used To Oversee