Opinion ID: 1852240
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Candor Toward the Court

Text: Last, I am disappointed, both professionally and personally, in the conduct of counsel for the Weatherlys. In his briefs to this Court, he has effectively accused this Court of tailoring decisions to satisfy special-interest groups and has further insinuated that several of the Justices have thereby violated the Canons of Judicial Ethics. Presumably, he did this all in an effort to more effectively represent his clients. He has done nothing of the sort. He has succeeded in offending the members of this Court and negatively portraying himself before his fellow members of the Bar. Specifically, using offensive language, unfounded accusations, and personal attacks, he has alleged that this Court's decisions depend on campaign contributions; he has done this presumably with the hope of intimidating this body into deciding his case in his clients' favor. By his language, he has violated Rule 3.5(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct in that he has engaged in conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal. In insinuating in his brief that this Court's vote on a matter can be bought by special-interest dollars, he has violated Rule 8.2(a) by making statements with reckless disregard as to [their] truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of the members of this Bench. His derogatory comments made about and to this Court might imply to the public that this Court changed its opinion as to his clients' case and ruled in their favor upon rehearing because of fear of exposure and not based on the law and the facts of this case. Therefore, he violated Rule 8.4(d) by engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. His explicit remarks in his brief suggesting that our decisions are made in terms of campaign contributions imply that the rich and powerful have an ability to improperly influence Justices in their roles as government officials and therefore violate Rule 8.4(e). These expressions of contempt, threat, and intimidation made when he filed his clients' application for rehearing violate Rule 8.4(g), because by making these expressions he has engaged in conduct that adversely reflects upon his fitness to practice law. Not only do his actions cause me to question his maturity to practice law before this Court, but it is exactly this kind of juvenile behavior that reflects poorly on our entire profession. I could as easily accuse this attorney of petulance resulting from his chagrin at receiving a lower contingent attorney fee after the release of this Court's original opinion. Such an accusation would be inappropriate for a judicial officer; I will not make it. Such conduct is also inappropriate for an officer of the courts; but this lawyer committed just such conduct. This lawyer risked sinking his clients' case by making these unfounded accusations. If this Court were inclined to rule in its own self-interest, perhaps we would posit our decision in this case solely on the basis of our contempt for the attitude of this one attorney; however, this body has always held, and will continue to hold, itself to a higher standard. We will not let our emotions and personal feelings dictate the result in any case; our decisions are governed solely by the law and the facts. However, the public, not knowing enough about the facts of this case or the legal principles governing its result, may mistakenly interpret our decision as one where the mere accusations and political posturing of the attorney intimidated the Court into ruling in his clients' favor, instead of thinking the Court was persuaded by the legal arguments. [2] Such a perception on the part of the public and the resultant effect upon a client's cause, perhaps a just cause, is enough to call for the most severe sanctions against an attorney who resorts to such tactics. The attorney's language taints the judiciary and the legal profession and could seriously backfire upon his clients. Having said all this, I can say confidently and with a clear conscience that my opinion is based on the law and the facts of this case alone, that I fear no one's reprisal or intimidation for holding this opinion, and that no campaign contribution influenced my opinion. [3] Contrary to the arguments of the plaintiffs, the facts of this particular case show that the defendants are the little guys who have been subject to mistreatment. Ever since I became a circuit court judge in Montgomery County in 1975, I have sought to look out for the little man to the fullest extent permissible under the law, and I would only hope that all judges exhibit a similar attitude. The attorney for the plaintiffs should be placed under the most severe sanctions appropriate for the kind of unprofessional behavior illustrated by his language in the plaintiffs' application for rehearing.