Remember when  Mark Geragos represented Michael Jackson?  That was before he found good lawyers and won his case.  He came up such great  media lines as “He’s not a freak.”  We haven’t heard much from Geragos since then, which is itself a blessing.  But he’s back!

During the brief period of his representation of the non-freak Jackson, you may recall that Geragos and an associate were videotaped while flying in a private plane by the owner.  An interesting way to find new revenue streams for jet owners, perhaps?  Well, not the best choice.

From  the AP,

According to court papers obtained Monday, Superior Court Judge Soussan G. Bruguera ordered XtraJet owner Jeffrey Borer and his company to pay Geragos at least $10 million and possibly up to $18 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Geragos’ colleague Pat Harris was awarded between $1.25 million and $2.25 million in damages.

Not bad, considering that it was Jackson’s confidences that suffered.  According to the story, Geragos “was pleased.”  I bet he was.  It’s the first money he’s due, that I can recall, where someone else didn’t have to go to jail afterward.

“This is an important day for lawyers who generally represent celebrities and high profile people,” he said.

Heck, it’s an important day for Geragos too. 

Why am I so harsh on poor Mark?  Because there’s this bone in my head that starts to throb when lawyers mistake themselves for celebrities.  We don’t sing.  We don’t dance.  Sometimes, we can’t even tell a decent joke.  We’re just lawyers, hired to practice our profession on behalf of someone else, who may or may not be talented. 

Geragos has long sought the spotlight, most notably by his pontifications on the Larry King show.  He’s never shown himself to be much of a lawyer, and has demonstrated some remarkable failings (just as Winona Ryder).  There are some great lawyers on the left coast, most of whom represent celebrities from time to time, but unlike Geragos do so with dignity and without the overdose of self-promotion.  Even now, he just can’t help himself.  He has to pump his profile.

But he’s getting at least $10 million for the violation of his privacy.  Not a bad pay day.