First Appearance: Fisher Phillips Isn't Just Defending the Shells, They're Legally Binding Them Together.
In the federal fraud case, Fisher Phillips has now formally appeared for AMJ Services LLC and Steven S. Dickert, trustee of the Basil Management Trust—the same trust that controls DRVM LLC, the shell named on my paystubs.
They already represent DRVM in arbitration and DOL proceedings.
Now they represent the trust and its operational arm in this Court.
Separate entities, same lawyers.
If you want to see the enterprise, don’t follow the shells—follow the firm.
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On December 12—the day after I filed my fraud complaint—I emailed Fisher Phillips to ask if they’d be representing the defendants.
No response.
On January 16, they emailed me: they “may be retained” and might need an extension.
Still no appearance on the docket.
On January 19, they filed a motion for a 16-day extension.
“Expedited Hearing Requested.”
Reason: “recent retention.”
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They didn’t mention they’ve been litigating the same facts for 9 months across three different forums. So now they are in this fraud case.
The court granted the extension in under 24 hours.
I finished drafting my opposition by 4 p.m. and rode the bus downtown to file, but the courthouse was already closed.
The order issued before I could get there.
By bus, you’re already late.
This isn’t about an extension.
It’s about access.
Lawyers file at midnight from their laptops.
Pro se plaintiffs take the bus.
That gap isn’t an inconvenience, it’s a design feature.
Procedure doesn’t wait. And now, neither do I.
For nine months, I’ve met every deadline, often early.
Yesterday showed me the system can move faster than I knew.
So my new rule: be there before they are.
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Now, Fisher Phillips represents:
- DRVM LLC – the shell on my paystubs (in arbitration/DOL)
- AMJ Services LLC – the operational arm in this case
- Steven Dickert – trustee of Basil Management Trust, which controls both
Separate clients. One defense.
Like I mentioned above, if you want to see the enterprise, don’t follow the shell names—follow the lawyers.
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They bought 16 days.
I gained clarity:
When procedure is the strategy, you don’t beat them on argument.
You beat them on timing.
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I didn’t lose any energy yesterday.
I learned the pace of the game.
Now I have to move even faster.
