The Washington herald., 1909-07-27

The District Bar Association IS on the
warpath for members OF the legal profess
sion practicing before the District courts.
who violate the canons OF professional
ethics by soliciting business, and that
class OF attorneys who seek the limelight
OF publicity by inspiring newspaper no
tlccs
The association looks upon the publicity
sought and obtained by certain members
or the bar with disfavor II has gone on
record as determined 20 put a stop 20
what Is called violations OF the ethics or
tho profession by referring all such com
plants 10 the grievance committee for IN
vestgauon. This means that II the
charges brought are sustained. debarment
from practice IN the courts OF the Dis
uict. expulsion from the association and
professional ostracism Will follow:
AZ recent meeting Of the Bar Asso-
ciation OF the District OF Columbia reso-
lutions were adopted reciting that Il has
come 10 the notice OF the board OF direc-
tors OF the association that the prac-
uce OF personal solicitation Of business IS
becoming prevalent among certain mem
bers OF the bar. and that the practice OF
another class OF members OF the bar in
seeking publicity through the newspapers
py suggesting notices in the papers OF
their cases IN the local courts Is unpro-
fessional. and looked upon with dlsfavor
Ihe closing paragraph OF the resolutions
says.
ResOIutIoGs Passed.
1T is tho sense OF this bar association
that the special solicitation OF particular
individuals % become clients IS unpro-
iess.onal and grossly improper. and that
indirect advertisement for business bv
furnishing or inspiring press notices or
editorials regarding cases and the At
torneys taking part therein. the manner
IN which the causes are conducted. their
importance. and the magnitude OF the in
terests involved. and all other Ike self
iaudation are Of evil tendency and are
wholly unprofessiondl"
Recently in the Police Court the Judges
took occasion 10 reprimand certain mem
DeTs or the bar for personal soIicita-
uon ot cases coming before them. They
pointed out that the practice had be-
come so open as 20 be q disgrace IN the
court and profession and that n must
terminate at once. else the Offenders
would be debarred from practice in the
Police Court.
A prominent member Of the profession
last night, when seen by "A representative
or The Washington Herald said that the
pracuce Of personal solicitation OF bust
ness by members OF the District bar was
not confined by any means 20 practi-
TONERS before the Police Court. that he
regretted 10 say that this gross violation
OF the ethics OF the profession was be-
ing pracuced IN the higher courts OF the
District until Il had become the talk OF
the bar and a shame 20 the profession.
He pointed out a case of q certain at
torney a brilliant man OF acknowledged
legal ability, and with a practice that
removed the necessity for such conduct.
who has friends IN certain OF the penal
institutions of the Federal and District
government who act as agents for this
attorney by soliciting clients In these in
stitutiors. They look after the prisoners
who have means. and when such pris-
oners are without attorneys these agents
recommend their principal as the lawyer
the prisoners should retain 20 conduct
their cases and look after their inter
ests In and out Of court while they are
confined.
Agents Get Fees.
These agents. the member OF the bar
said. are paid n certain commission on
every fee paid to the attorney by these
prisoners. This is not an Isolated case
by any MEANS" said The Washington
Heralds informant There are m
dOubtedly a number OF such members OF
the District bar. They have carried this
practice too far until the District Bar
Association. as a matter Of protection
20 its canons Of ethics and 10 maintain
respect Of self and that OF the bench and
community at large. has determined TO
take heroic measures to put q stop 10
the practice by eliminating the obtec-
uonable element"
A gentleman familiar with the CITY
Hall said last night that there are a
number Of members OF the bar who never
file a case without sending a copy OF
their pleadings 10 the newspaper repre-
sentauves at City Hall. and who furnish
copies Of their arguments and other IN
formation 20 the press in which these
attorneys figure in the spotlight When
these attorneys have an important case
In which the public IS more or less in
terested," said The Washington Herald's
informant. prior to the trial they fur
nfsh the press with stories Of the case
in which the names Of the attorneys IN
cidentally figure.
When the case IS called these men
act as their own press agents, and liber-
ally send 20 the press matter treating
the subject Of the trial. They never let
an opportunity slip to secure all the
publicity possible. believing in advertls-
ing as a booster Of their business, which
the ethics Of the profession do not per-
NIT These news stories not only ad-
vertise this class OF lawyers. but they
possess the merit Of being free adver-
tising"