Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom LLP are taking steps to see that one of their worker’s grandchildren receives no money from the retirement fund that listed him as beneficiary. After all, Christopher Jackson murdered his own grandmother, and is thus receiving 15 years prison for manslaughter. He choked her to death, apparently over her disapproval of his pot-smoking, though his schizophrenia may have been part of why the outstanding citizen, not only a legal secretary for Skadden, but also an ardent church-goer, elegant dancer, and community volunteer, was needlessly slain.
The firm, for their part, wants to see Christopher Jackson disqualified from any part of the 401(k) account that his grandmother left specifically with him to receive 25 percent.
“It was a terrible tragedy,” Jackson’s lawyer, Sally Butler, said to the Daily News. “The family lost both a grandmother and a grandson.”
Skadden says that “by the terms of the plan, [Skadden, Arps] may be obligated to pay a portion of the account to Jackson.” They would see him receive none of it.
It is a surprising move for a law firm to make, but in light of the details of this case, it is probably the most noble move as well.
