Lawyer faces discipline for criticizing judge in blog
Not sure that it amounts to more than an old fashioned p...ing contest between lawyers, but it sure makes for sensational headlines.
The Florida Bar is alleging Attorney Sean Conway violated 5 ethics rules, including impugning the judge's qualifications or integrity. From The South Florida Sun Sentinel:
In the Halloween 2006 posting on a blog, Conway denounced Alemán for what he said was an 'ugly, condescending attitude' and questioned her mental stability after, he says, she unlawfully forced attorneys to choose between unreasonable trial dates or waiving their clients' rights to a speedy trial.
Conway, 36, also filed a complaint against [Broward Circuit Judge Cheryl] Alemán with the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the state agency that polices judicial conduct, citing her 'deliberate refusal' to follow the law and insolent behavior. Conway says he hasn't heard from the commission since a May 29 letter acknowledging his complaint.
And who's to say the Judge didn't deserve it. She's facing reprimand and removal from the bench for 'allegedly threatening to hold defense attorneys in contempt and refusing to remove herself from cases in which she had an acrimonious relationship with the defense attorney.'
Conway must not have realized there's a save as draft button on the blog publishing software. It's to be used like the right corner of your desk for heated letters you let sit over night and take a second look at the next morning.
Read through and enter the discussion with the form at the end
