Opinion ID: 1718159
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Green Matter

Text: The first count of misconduct involved Brehmer's representation of A.G. in a child custody and visitation proceeding during November and December 1998. The motion papers requested an increase in Green's custody and visitation rights, but Brehmer's argument at the hearing was that custody should be granted to Green's parents. A prior court order precluded Green's parents from an award of custody rights, but Brehmer continued to argue this theory of the case, and he presented witnesses to establish the appropriateness of Green's parents as custodians. Even though the district court advised Brehmer that it would not grant custodial rights to Green's parents, Brehmer continued to argue this frivolous theory. The referee also noted that the district court found that Brehmer and his client attempted to perpetrate fraud on the court by making false statements. At a pretrial scheduling conference, Brehmer denied the existence of medical records, including those specifically related to his client's drug-related hospitalizations. During trial, opposing counsel discovered those records, but the trial record is unclear whether Brehmer actually knew that the medical records existed. Brehmer's client then denied that the medical records were hers because they were not written in her handwriting and because there are other people living in the area with the same name. Moreover, Brehmer violated the district court's orders. The court ordered that all applications for any kind of relief be brought before Judge Patrice Sutherland. But Brehmer drafted documents seeking in forma pauperis status for his client and submitted the documents to the signing judge-who was not Judge Sutherland. The signing judge granted the motion, but it was later vacated after the signing judge became aware of Brehmer's deception. Even after being reminded that all requests for relief were required to be brought before Judge Sutherland, Brehmer submitted a second in forma pauperis request to yet another signing judge. In addition, Brehmer did not comply with the district court's orders regarding deadlines for providing witness and exhibit lists. Brehmer also attempted to add witnesses during the hearing. Many of these witnesses were to provide cumulative or irrelevant testimony. When the court sustained objections prohibiting testimony from these witnesses, Brehmer acted belligerently and was rude and insulting to the court and opposing counsel. Brehmer was not prepared for trial, and he repeatedly violated the sequestration order that was in effect during the hearing by beginning direct examination with a synopsis of the previous witnesses' testimony. Brehmer also assisted Green's attempt to hide her children by advising Green that her ex parte order for protection from the custodial father authorized Green to hide her children from their custodial father. After the hearing the district court found Brehmer's conduct was improper, and he was sanctioned $48,133.65. Brehmer appealed on both his and his client's behalf, but he failed to file a proper statement of the case with the notice of appeal. Brehmer did not order a transcript within the required 10 days after the appeal was filed. The court extended the deadline, but Brehmer did not reply or comply with the new deadline, and the court of appeals dismissed the appeal. Brehmer's subsequent motion to reinstate the appeal was denied, and Brehmer's sanctions remain unpaid.