Greetings, The Friday Whine is a casual email to friends and colleagues and contains three things: An ethics update, a legal profession update, and wine recommendation. If you see text in blue, it is a link to an article or information.
Ethics
The Quickest Disbarment I’ve Ever Seen
Less than 90 days after his admission to the Florida Bar, Ian James Christiansen started his own firm, concentrating on medical marijuana. He would charge his clients $799 for a doctor’s visit through another company he formed, and if the client was found to have a medical necessity to use marijuana, the law firm would issue an “Official Legal Certification” that this young industrious lawyer told his clients would advise law enforcement that the client had the right to use medical marijuana.
Seriously.
To the shock of nobody but Mr. Christiansen, some of his clients were arrested. He then tried to represent a couple, and was, to the shock of nobody, disqualified. Several of Respondent’s clients were arrested and prosecuted after following this advice. Respondent attempted to represent two of these clients in the criminal proceedings but was subsequently disqualified. He, of course, gave the fees back (no he didn’t), was then ordered to give the fees back (and still didn’t). He appealed (untimely) and then continued to basically do everything wrong. Oh, it was discovered that this “doctor” his clients were sent to, wasn’t licensed.
It goes on and on and on and includes a SWAT team raid.
The judge in his Bar case took mercy and recommended a suspension. The Supreme Court of Florida though, in seven pages of pure unethical behavior, said good-bye.
Legal Profession
Man Bites Dog
Branding is tough.
I’ve written previously of a DUI lawyer getting arrested for DUI, and today we have an employment firm, known for suing on behalf of employees claiming all kinds of bias, being sued for….gender bias. Plaintiffs are seeking 300 million dollars.
Discovery should be interesting.
WINE
The Best Cheap Cabernet
I served this wine over the holidays and am remiss to recommend it as I don’t want you to run out and buy it all, but you really should. It’s well under $20 a bottle (rare for good Cabernet), and exceptionally over delivers for the price.
Paso Robles is a great wine region in Central California, and this Cabernet is a winner.
It’s at Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe in Coral Gables.