Are You a Lawyer-Basher?

[Gringo]

Poll question: Are You a Lawyer-Basher?

It seems nowadays that lawyers, particularly the "ambulance-chaser" type get a bum rap in our society, to the point that people simply believe all lawyers are scum, even though they've never used the services of one.

I even heard an ad on the radio saying that "Over $150 bil. per year is spent on settling frivolous lawsuits in the US"

Um, pardon me, but - IF A LAWSUIT IS FRIVOLOUS, THE JUDGE THROWS IT OUT! Why the hell are they settling IF THE SUIT IS FRIVOLOUS? I'm so annoyed by the endless promulgation of myths about lawyers and frivolous suits. I realize that right-wingers tend to be more anti-lawyer, but I know plenty of libs who are, too.

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. If I had to go back to school

I'd change my major to law and become a lawyer. I have nothing but respect for lawyers. They're arguably the only people who have the power to take down the ultra-powerful in this nation.

[0007]

4. You say, "I have nothing but respect for lawyers!!"

I wouldn't go that far. If you ever had a bad attorney, or one that ripped you off, your tone would change.

But it is never too late to go back to school. I know a lady 71 years old getting ready for the bar examination. Acording to her only 23% pass the first time.

[trof]

6. Had a bad one once.

Paid him a retainer to advise and represent me in a dispute with the state DOT (highway project that ultimately took my house).

He would NOT return phone calls and was absent when I needed him at a meeting with state officials. I had to threaten to go to the state bar association to get my money back.

The next one I hired wound up not billing me a cent. "I don't want you to think we're all a bunch of jerks." Now THAT'S my kind of guy. He got a case of his favorite wine for his trouble, anyway.

[HEyHEY]

12. jeez man I thought you were a journalist

What do you mean lawyers are the "Only'" ones that can take down the power?

[placton]

2. As a proud lawyer

I find it sad so many liberals have bought into the right-wing view of lawyers. But in Barbara Tuchman's book on the 14th century, A DISTANT MIRROR, she found that lawyers were "universally hated & mistrusted." The more things change . . .

[kclown]

3. What do you have when six lawyers are buried up to their necks

in sand?

Not enough sand.

[trof]

5. I wanted to be a lawyer.

My uncle, who I love and respect, is an attorney, as is my son-in-law.
Sure, there some jerks and yahoos, just as in any other profession (including the clergy, I might add).

One of the "bad apples": A local joke who has big billboards with his photo advertising "Call 1-800-DIVORCE" and "Call 1-800-BANKRUP". He has a local 1/2 hour radio show, "Ask A Lawyer", where he basically trolls for new clients. "Thass a verr inneressin question, Vernice. Wha don't you give my secertery a call at 555-5555 and ast her to set up an appoinmen whur we can discuss this farther(sic)."

He actually showed up in court drunk to defend a DUI client and had his license suspended for 90 days. Didn't slow him down much.
;-)

[salinen]

8. The RW wants us to hate lawyers

because they are a threat to their corruption. Lawyers are the average citizens only recourse to foul play. Without lawyers we would all become the victims of whomever wanted to take advantage of a system with no decency protections. Some are bad. All professions have criminal types. Don't get me started talking about Realtors.

[Rainbowreflect]

7. My brother is a lawyer, my ex-brother-in-law is a lawyer,

my ex-sister-in-law is a lawyer, two friends are lawyers and I work with lawyers (I'm a paralegal). Most of them are wonderful, hardworking, caring people. There are a few bad ones, but no more than any other profession.

[mlawson]

9. Several of my best friends are lawyers.

So I have nothing against the profession, per se.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. The most frivolous and least defensible actions come from the very people

shoving tort reform down our throats. The ABSOLUTELY most frivolous lawsuit is a SLAPP suit. These lawsuits are never held up, almost never get to court and their only intent is to bankrupt activists against public participation.

If one wishes to see some REALLY frivolous manuevering, it's easy...have a serious accident resulting in multiple injuries and just watch the various manners and motions a carrier makes to defend itself.

[Nikia]

11. My grandparents don't like lawyers

My dad's father was a police officer. That sort of put him at odds with defense attorneys. My dad's mother has always said that she considers law a seedy procession, but never has really given a real reason.
My mother's father doesn't like lawyers because his father successfully sued a mining company that he had worked for on account of his health. Unfortunately, my great grandfather got very little money after the lawyer was paid with all his extra fees. This lawyer dislike caused him to let his sister have all of his parents inheritance even though the money was suppose to be split. It also caused him not to sue the young man that caused the accident that left my grandmother severely weakened and with a $300,000 hospital bill.