by Ryan McKeen
How low can she go?
While waiting for an appointment this morning I read this Courant article by Edmund Mahony on the GOP’s race for Attorney General.
I stopped scrolling down on my iPod when I came to this line: ”Some people are hired guns,” Dean said in an interview. “Just like prostitutes, you know?”
Really Martha? Your failure to see the difference between a prostitute and an attorney representing a client is appalling.
Dean clearly intended to attack Garber. However, I view her comments as an attack on the legal profession. The idea that lawyers are prostitutes is both untrue and insulting.
I’ve written about similar comments made by Dean a few weeks ago at a Fairfield lunch. In the age of Google Alerts and political campaigns that are hypersensitive and reactive to all that is written about them online, I find it hard to believe Dean didn’t read the post. Ms. Dean should should re-read the post, especially the following:
The rules of professional ethics make it clear that “a lawyer’s representation of a client….does not constitute an endorsement of the client’s political, economic, social or moral views or activities” Rule 1.2(b).
One of the best day’s of my life was getting sworn in as an attorney. I’ll never forget Justice Zarella’s speech that day. I read it each year on the anniversary of being admitted to the bar. The speech can be read in it’s entirety here. Justice Zarella choose to quote from a document entitled “Lawyers’ Principles of Professionalism” here is some of what he told to us:
I will remember that, in addition to commitment to my client’s cause, my responsibilities as a lawyer include a devotion to the public good;
I will be mindful of the need to protect the image of the legal profession in the eyes of the public and will be so guided when considering methods and content of advertising; and
As a lawyer I must strive to make our system of justice work fairly and efficiently. In order to carry out that responsibility, not only will I comply with the letter and spirit of the disciplinary standards applicable to all lawyers, but I will also conduct myself in accordance with the following principles of professionalism when dealing with my client, opposing parties, their counsel, the courts and the general public.
This is a political race. Political races are about winning. But winning at what cost? Is harming the profession for a chance at the corner office on 55 Elm Street worth it? I’d hope not.
Perpetuating the notion that lawyers are prostitutes for political gain demeans the legal profession. It’s appalling coming from the mouth of an attorney who is seeking to become the State’s top attorney.
You lost all credibility when you quoted Zarella.
I kid, I kid.
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Dear lawyers, I actually have a lot of respect for criminal defense attorneys, and I said this to the Courant. (See the article.) My issue is with a would-be politician who was selected in 2002 by a corrupt politician to be the Governor’s choice for state treasurer, and then makes a career choice to defend that corrupt politician and others, and then uses those contacts and ties to climb to high elected office. These connections are unseemly and raise legitimate questions. Best wishes. Martha Dean
Best wishes, Martha Dean
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Ryan Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Why the need to use the phrase “prostitute”?
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Meghan Freed Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:13 pm
I note with interest Ms. Dean’s decision to cast Mr. Garber as a “would-be politician.” My recollection, and my apologies if it’s a mistaken one, is that Ms. Dean lost her race for Attorney General in 2002 — the same year as Mr. Garber’s unsuccessful run for Treasurer. Sounds like the “would-be politician” rag speaking ill of the “would-be politician” cloth.
There is not only a hypocrisy but a logical inconsistency in Ms. Dean’s “would-be politician” stabs. Defending falling or fallen state officerholders is hardly a politically popular or expedient play for one Ms. Dean alleges is interested primarily in his own quest for eventual election. Mr. Garber is more than smart enough to know how an eventual opponent like Ms. Dean might exploit the low hanging fruit of his government investigations and criminal defense-rooted law practice. Almost certainly he was simply representing his clients, not plotting a cock-eyed eventual ascension in some smoke-filled room. Mr. Garber is not and cannot “use[] those contacts and ties” to “corrupt politician[s]” to climb to high elected office.” Ms. Dean, not Mr. Garber, won her party’s nomination — which hardly makes him the Republican insider. And, thank goodness, whichever candidate takes the GOP primary in November must win via popular vote rather than clamber via slimy coronation. Just as, thank goodness, every accused, even a politician, is entitled to competent counsel.
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There are most likely more voters who dislike lawyers as a whole than lawyers who vote. When the likes of Charles Rangel dominate the news cycles, the legal profession is not going to be held in high regard.
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Ryan Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
That’s absolutely right Gerard. Some attorneys do bad things. When that happens it hurts me personally. Many attorneys do great things. It’s fine to criticize Ross Garber but to use the words “hired gun” and “prostitute” troubles me. It does nothing but perpetuate the negative image of the profession at large.
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Gideon Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Rangel is/was a lawyer?
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Ryan Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:00 pm
According to wikipedia he is/was: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_B._Rangel
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Great post. I wonder what Ms Dean would have thought of founding father John Adams defending British soldiers in the Boston Massacre. Was Adams a prostitute? Thankfully, all of my clients are completely innocent, so I do not have that problem. I see her point, but it comes off as a cheap shot.
On a side note, I was also there for Zarella’s speech. It looks like we may have been admitted on the same day. On a personal note, I extend my warmest wishes towards your upcoming bundle of joy. Congratulations.
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Gideon Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Zarella gives the same speech every year.
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