Authors Guild Lawyer Exits Via the Revolving Door

I have confirmed that Kay Murray, general counsel of the Authors Guild and one of the key negotiators and spokespeople for the associational plaintiffs' role in the settlement, has left that job for a position in the New York office of the Tribune Company.

As in, owner of the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Newsday, eight other major daily newspapers, and numerous other media properties. Not to mention the Chicago Cubs, who stink again this year.

What about all the info Guild members have confided in Kay Murray regarding the settlement? Is she bound by attorney-client privilege?

First we have a mediator, Kenneth Feinberg, who says the settlement is hunky-dory and who just happens to be in line for a "mediation success fee." Then we have an associational plaintiff, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, that's on the take from defendant LexisNexis. Now we have the Authors Guild's settlement point person going on the payroll of the enemy camp even before the settlement is finalized.