Hirsch’s Hornet’s Nest

Meanwhile, Hirsch’s firm was thriving, thanks in part to younger people who, because they’d gained influence and clientele, needed and deserved to be given props. The name of the firm was changed first to include three partners. Then, as recently as January, three more people were added to the letterhead. Now the partners were discussing a more tax-efficient way of organizing the firm by changing its “C” corporation status into a limited liability partnership.

They were also talking about a succession plan.

“Nothing was going on behind anyone’s back. There was no cabal. No one was saying, ‘In 30 days you’re out,’” says one of Hirsch’s ex-partners. “Barry asked for us to present him with a plan, and people with good will responded to his request. We made him a proposal, which was a very fair proposal. When he got it, he was very unhappy.”

Sources tell L.A. Weekly that the dispute was over money. The ex-partners claim their plan guaranteed him a revenue stream “over years and years and years. Besides,” explained one of them, “Barry owned a place in Hawaii and had become in recent years a very avid golfer. And, when you’re in your 70s, you’re entitled to go out and enjoy life and success. But Barry could not accept that.”

In the end, this “they said, he said” drama is a hornet’s nest for everyone involved.

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