Leading Class-Action Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

William S. Lerach, 61, a former partner at the law firm now known as Milberg Weiss, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on Monday. Mr. Lerach pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice, specifically for concealing his secret, illegal payments to Dr. Steven G. Cooperman, who was a plaintiff in the class-action lawsuits for which the firm became famous.