Holler: 3 Cases of Schadenfreude for Lawyers to Learn From
What do we have for you this week, in our favorite posts from across the blawgosphere roundup? How about three cases of lawyers behaving stupidly, all of which you can learn a lesson from.
A copyright defender turns troll, both for himself and his clients. A judge has a "shocking" response to a sovereign citizen's nonsensical ramblings. And Solo Practice University presents the tale of a lawyer who bit off more than he could chew when he decided to dabble in a new practice area.
Read. Learn. But most of all, enjoy the schadenfreude:
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TechDirt: Copyright Trolling Lawyer Abusing DMCA To Try To Silence Critics
Mike Meier once defended netizens from copyright trolls. But, doing the right thing must not have been lucrative enough for him, so he switched sides. This made people angry and they posted things on the Internet about him.
His response? He sent meritless DMCA takedown letters to the sites' registrars, tossing in frivolous defamation accusations for good measure.
The Internet is not pleased. The Internet responded. And the Internet located a past-benchslapping that makes for entertaining reading.
Simple Justice: Denied, With Extreme Prejudice
Have you ever had a conversation with a "sovereign citizen." Listening to these folks' legal arguments is a wee bit like trying to understand William Faulkner:
"Sometimes I could put myself to sleep saying that over and over until after the honeysuckle got all mixed up in it the whole thing came to symbolize night and unrest I seemed to be lying neither asleep nor awake looking down a long corridor of gray half light where all stable things had become shadowy paradoxical all I had done shadows all I had felt suffered taking visible form antic and perverse mocking without relevance inherent themselves with the denial of the significance they should have affirmed thinking I was I was not who was not was not who." (The Sound and the Fury)
How did the judge deal with the pro se litigant/sovereign citizen's arguments? She had her deputy take him down with a "stun belt." It makes for a hilarious mental picture, and a worrisome portrait of Maryland Circuit Court Judge Robert C. Nalley's courtroom disposition.
Solo Practice University: The Dangers of Dabbling in Multiple Practice Areas
The tale of a man whose real estate transactions practice was drying up, so he decided to take on a wrongful death case. Long story short: it went bad, for him, his client, and his insurer.
This, folks, is a great cautionary tale and advice on taking on "whatever walks through the door," dabbling in unfamiliar practice areas, or even starting your own firm straight out of school.
Related Resources:
- Holler: Our Favorite Posts From the Blawgosphere (Week of Aug. 17) (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)
- Holler: Our Favorite Posts From the Blawgosphere (Week of Aug. 10) (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)
- Holler: Our Favorite Posts From the Blawgosphere (Week of August 3) (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)