Opinion ID: 2570424
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: correspondence to former counsel

Text: Gershater next argues that the letter she sent to Vleisides on May 29, 1998, was privileged and reviewed by the hearing panel in violation of K.S.A. 60-426. K.S.A. 60-426 governs communication between a lawyer and a client and states in pertinent part: (a) General rule. Subject to K.S.A. 60-437, and except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of this section communications found by the judge to have been between lawyer and his or her client in the course of that relationship and in professional confidence, are privileged, and a client has a privilege (1) if he or she is the witness to refuse to disclose any such communication, and (2) to prevent his or her lawyer from disclosing it, and (3) to prevent any other witnesses from disclosing such communication if it came to the knowledge of such witness (i) in the course of its transmittal between the client and the lawyer, or (ii) in a manner not reasonably to be anticipated by the client, or (iii) as a result of a breach of the lawyer-client relationship. The privilege may be claimed by the client in person or by his or her lawyer, or if an incapacitated person, by either his or her guardian or conservator, or if deceased, by his or her personal representative. (b) Exceptions. Such privileges shall not extend (1) to a communication if the judge finds that sufficient evidence, aside from the communication, has been introduced to warrant a finding that the legal service was sought or obtained in order to enable or aid the communication or planning of a crime or a tort, or (2) to a communication relevant to an issue between parties all of whom claim through the client, regardless of whether the respective claims are by testate or intestate succession or by inter vivos transaction, or (3) to a communication relevant to an issue of breach of duty by the lawyer to his or her client, or by the client to his or her lawyer, or (4) to a communication relevant to an issue concerning an attested document of which the lawyer is an attesting witness, or (5) to a communication relevant to a matter of common interest between two or more clients if made by any of them to a lawyer whom they have retained in common when offered in an action between any of such clients. Gershater asserts that the correspondence between her and her former counsel was privileged attorney-client correspondence and, therefore, should not have been considered by the hearing panel. Gershater, however, did not object to the introduction of the correspondence at the disciplinary hearing; therefore, she has waived her right to object to its use and has waived any attorney-client privilege that may have existed. See In re Roth, 269 Kan. 399, 408, 7 P.3d 241 (2000) (mediation-related privilege was waived where it was not asserted at attorney discipline hearing). See also Calvert v. State Bar of California, 54 Cal.3d 765, 780, 819 P.2d 424 (1991) (holding that attorney-client privilege waived where attorney did not object to testimony at the attorney disciplinary hearing). Moreover, it is clear that the correspondence to Gershater's former counsel was not the sole basis for any of the violations found by the hearing panel. The hearing panel found that Gershater had violated KRPC 3.3(a)(1) (2000 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 385) (making a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal); KRPC 8.4(d) (2000 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 420) (engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice); and KRPC 8.4(g) (2000 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 420) (engaging in any other conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice law). The violation of KRPC 3.3(a)(1) was solely based on the complaint filed by Gershater wherein she stated that she was an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the state of Kansas. The violation of KRPC 8.4(d) was solely based on the complaint and on Gershater's failure to comply with discovery requests. The violations of Supreme Court Rules 207(b) and 211(b) were based on the failure of Gershater to cooperate with the Disciplinary Administrator's office by failing to file a written answer and failing to appear at the disciplinary hearing. The violation found by the hearing panel of KRPC 8.4(g) was based in part on the content of the correspondence to Vleisides, but was also based on providing false information to the district court and on Gershater's insistence that the letter was truthful when she discussed the content of the letter with disciplinary investigator Scott Bloch. Suffice it to say that the correspondence to Vleisides is conduct that adversely reflects on Gershater's fitness to practice law. A lawyer should be able to write a letter to an opposing party or a party with an adverse interest and intelligently communicate his or her position without the use of profane, offensive, or derogatory language. [A]ttorneys are required to act with common courtesy and civility at all times in their dealings with those concerned with the legal process. In re Vincenti, 114 N.J. 275, 282, 554 A.2d 470 (1989). Vilification, intimidation, abuse and threats have no place in the legal arsenal. In re Mezzacca, 67 N.J. 387, 389-90, 340 A.2d 658 (1975). An attorney who exhibits the lack of civility, good manners and common courtesy ... tarnishes the entire image of what the bar stands for. In re McAlevy, 69 N.J. 349, 352, 354 A.2d 289 (1976). We agree with the Ohio Supreme Court in Columbus Bar Assn. v. Riebel, 69 Ohio St.2d 290, 292, 432 N.E.2d 165 (1982), when it discussed civility and the duty of attorneys to treat others with respect. It stated: It is within the real meaning and intent of our Code of Professional Responsibility that lawyers should always be cognizant of the necessity for good manners, courtesy and discourse, both to client and other practitioners, as being part of our professional ethics. The zeal employed by an attorney in guarding the interests of his clients [and in communicating with adverse parties] must always be tempered so as not to inject his personal feelings or display a demeanor that subjects parties to a proceeding or opposing counsel to certain indignities. Gershater's correspondence to Vleisides, although of minor importance in our consideration of the violations committed by Gershater and the discipline to be imposed upon her, is without doubt, lacking in courtesy and civility. The abusive and threatening nature of the language has no place in the legal world.