Opinion ID: 1706522
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Freidkin Matter

Text: Petitioner charged, in specification number 4, [5] That in your capacity as Attorney at Law, you were representing one Steve Lawrason in a matter involving an automobile accident in the City of Shreveport, [sic] That in connection with your representation, you did send a letter to Ms. Margaret Freidkin dated November 8, 1988 wherein you did state, Please advise this office of the insurance company which you had on your car at the time of this accident. If we do not receive this information within ten days of the date of this letter, I will seek to have felony criminal charges pressed against you and seeked [sic] to have you expedited [sic] from the State of Texas to Louisiana, where you will face criminal charges. That subsequently, by correspondence dated November 21, 1988, you did either send to Mr. Donald J. Freidkin or carbon copy Donald J. Freidkin with letters which are threatening in nature. That you have used means and have no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person; that you have threatened to present criminal charges solely to obtain an advantage in a civil matter; all in violation of the Rules 4.4 and 8.4(h) of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Louisiana State Bar Association. [6] Harrington has admitted writing the letters in question. He has also acknowledged he certainly should not have indicated that criminal charges would be filed. It is thus clear Harrington violated Rule 8.4(h) when he threatened Margaret Freidkin with extradition from Texas to face unspecified felony criminal charges solely to obtain an advantage in a civil matter, to wit, a hit and run accident involving a car which was purchased by the Freidkins after the date of the accident. Harrington did not attempt to search the title of the vehicle or otherwise ascertain who owned it on the date of the accident. Had he done so, he would not have employed the tactics used against Mrs. Freidkin. Also, alternative legal means were available to discover what insurance coverage was available to benefit his client. The fact that Harrington made no effort to avail himself of such means indicates his tactics had no substantial purpose other than to embarrass or burden a third person, in violation of Rule 4.4. We agree with the Commissioner respondent's actions as regards Margaret Freidkin constituted the misconduct with which he has been charged.