Lask

When the appeals panel in Philadelphia ruled against Ms. Lask, effectively ending strip-search class actions in three states, Mr. Keach was beside himself.

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Fearing she would blow the case and set bad precedent, Mr. Keach said his team offered to run the case, while guaranteeing Ms. Lask a cut of any settlement.

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011

Ms. Lask, who practices in Manhattan, is no less blunt.

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011

Ms. Lask, who has registered several websites including www.suethemall.com, selected the slogan, "If you want Justice, you want Susan Chana Lask."

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011

Claire Schneider for The Wall Street Journal Susan Chana Lask For decades, federal appeals courts held it unconstitutional to strip-search people arrested on minor charges without a specific reason to suspect weapons or drugs were hidden in their body cavities.

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011

Ms. Lask said that even if she loses the case, she will be proud to have clarified the constitutionality of strip searches.

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011

The dispute between Susan Chana Lask and Elmer Robert Keach III sheds light on a little-known but lucrative legal niche, and shows why a decisive ruling by the Supreme Court is sometimes the last thing lawyers want.

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011

At first glance, Mr. Keach and Ms. Lask, who both claim hardscrabble roots in southeastern Pennsylvania, have much in common.

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011

But Ms. Lask fought back, and eventually Mr. Keach gave up the effort.

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011

Ms. Lask said a Keach-style settlement where the ex-inmates got modest sums "wasn't worth it to me."

Strip-Search Lawyers Air Dirty Linen Jess Bravin 2011