The National Law Journal with DC News from Legal Times

30 Day Free Trial

National News
Washington News

NLJ Home > Washington News > Court Watch News > A life cut short

Font Size: increase font decrease font

Previous

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Next

A life cut short

February 11, 2013

  •    
  •    
  •    
  •       Comments (1)
 

He now has an unlisted address and phone number, and has installed a security system with cameras at his home, office and in his vehicles.

"There are a lot of crazy people out there — or maybe they weren't crazy when they started out, but under stress, when they become incredibly stressed, they take it out on the lawyer," he said.

The American Bar Association doesn't track threats or attacks on lawyers nationwide, but the State Bar of Nevada surveyed its members in 2012 and found that 40 percent of respondents had been threatened or assaulted at least once. The incidents described included stalking, dead animals left on doorsteps, slashed tires and broken windows. Eight percent of respondents said they had been physically assaulted.

ATTACKS AND THREATS

Indeed, news stories are full of accounts of attacks on lawyers around the country. Among the most recent:

• On December 13, 2012, a defendant in an attempted-murder trial in San Diego slashed the cheek of his lawyer, William Burgener, with a razor during court.

• On January 22, West Virginia lawyer Scott Radman was severely beaten by another attorney, S. Sean Murphy, in the Marion County, W.Va., courthouse.

• On January 30, an Oklahoma man facing assault charges attacked his lawyer, Larry Monard, in court, punching him in the face, grabbing his neck and kicking him.

• On January 31, Mark Hasse, the chief prosecutor in the district attorney's office in Kaufman County, Texas, was shot and killed outside the courthouse where he worked.

• On February 3, the 28-year-old daughter of lawyer Randal Quan was shot to death, allegedly by one of her father's former clients in Southern California — an ex-Los Angeles police officer.

Connecticut personal-injury lawyer Irving Pinsky said he received more than 50 death threats after he filed a notice (since withdrawn) that he planned to sue the state for $100 million on behalf of a child who survived the Sandy Hook ­massacre for failing to prevent the ­shooting.

Also, one of his office windows was shot out, a bullet lodged in the wall. "There's a hate factor out there," he said. "I don't want to say I don't worry about it." Pinsky said that the FBI "is aware" of the threats, but declined to elaborate.

Continue reading

Previous

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Next



Subscribe to The National Law Journal

You must be signed in to comment on an article

 

Reader Comments

  • DM

    February 11, 2013 09:54 AM

    This is such a sad, sobering article. My heart breaks for Mr. Hummel's family and friends.

Comments are not moderated. To report offensive comments, click here.

Post a Comment »
Find similar content

Companies, agencies mentioned

    
  • State Bar
  • Albuquerque Journal
  • FBI
  • Berkeley journalism school
  • Pettit & Martin
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Fusion Contact Centers
  • Arizona Supreme Court
  • Ninth Circuit
  • Rogers Communications College
  • New Media Inc.
  • Santa Fe New Mexican
  • University of Arizona
  • American Bar Association
  • University of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals

Key categories

    
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution

Most viewed stories

    
  1. Law for Laymen
    •      
  2. The Calculus of University Presidents
    •      
  3. Law School Offers A Second Chance for Rejected Students
    •      
  4. IRS Official May Have Unwittingly Lost Right to Silence
    •      
  5. Suspension for Spurned Attorney Who Waged Vendetta
    •      
lawjobs.com

TOP JOBS

MORE JOBS

POST A JOB

From the Law.com Network

Hiring Interns? Be Sure to Do It Right

ACC Weighs in on Arizona's In-House Pro Bono Rules

Ex-Dewey Partners Face New Foe in Firm's Bankruptcy

S&C Adds Linklaters Restructuring Partner in London
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Contrite Companies Can Win Forgiveness in Bribery Cases
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Plaintiffs Want to See Toyota's 'Crown Jewels'
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Enron Sandbox Stirs Up Private Data, Again

LegalTech West Coast Wraps Up With Ethics, VC News

In Tricky Prosecutions, Judges Play Peacemakers

Ropers Majeski Tries to Re-Invent Itself
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Fla. Attorneys Lead Force-Placed Insurance Fight

Lawsuit Names Missing Fla. Attorney for Alleged Fraud
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Summer Programs Still in a Drought

Lawyer Not Covered for Alleged Malpractice at Prior Firm
  •      
    • Subscription Required

The Affordable State-Specific Practice Solution
Available in NY, NJ, PA and CT editions - research, draft and prepare even the most complex cases with ease.

Firm Takes Another Hit in Bid for 'Unconscionable' Fees

New York's Martin Act Faces Test in Challenge to 2005 Case

Castille Testifies in Favor of 'Civil Gideon' Funding

Workers' Comp Judges Can't Fight Rescinded Raise
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Law Schools Are Looking Beyond LSATs, Says Mich. Dean

Is Freezing Your Eggs the Solution?

Advising Clients on Weather and the Workplace
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Texas Sues BP, Others Over Deepwater Oil Spill Disaster
  •      
    • Subscription Required

'Follow That Escapee!'

Judge Who Tossed Defense Counsel Accused of 'Partiality'
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Corporate Bribery Case Part Of National Trend
  •      
    • Subscription Required

Court Continues To Grant Lawyers Fraud Immunity
  •      
    • Subscription Required

 
  • About |
  • ALM Properties |
  • ALM Reprints |
  • Customer Support |
  • Privacy Policy |
  • Terms & Conditions |
  • ALM User License Agreement
ALM Media