The Georgia Supreme Court recently disbarred two personal injury lawyers who were caught using "runners" to seek out and solicit clients. In the Matters of Thomas C. Sinowski and Steven F. Freedman, the Court concluded Attorneys Sinwoski and Freedman violated multiple Bar Standards and are now forbidden from further practicing law - a professional "death penalty."
The use of "runners" is an unethical practice where a lawyer will pay non-lawyers to approach potential clients and refer them to the lawyer. Oftentimes, the runners will stake out hospitals or trauma care centers hunting for people involved in serious car wrecks. The runners will "innocently" approach a grieving family member, maybe at a vending machine or in the lobby, and "suggest" they contact a certain lawyer. The practice undermines public confidence in the legal profession further contributing to the false perception that all personal injury attorneys are unethical "ambulance chasers." Even worse for the clients, the attorneys who use runners quickly develop a reputation for poor legal work and selling out their clients for a quick settlement.
The use of runners continues throughout Georgia, and the public should be alert to the practice. For example, just a few days ago, I was contacted by a young woman who had been in the hospital for 6 weeks. She was involved in a terrible car accident which resulted in multiple fractures of her vertebrae. When I met her in the hospital, she told me a lawyer from one of the large "billboard advertising firms" had come by her hospital room about 3 days after the wreck pushing her to sign a attorney contract. Fortunately, the client had the good sense to keep all the paperwork, the name of the attorney and the pertinent details to support a Complaint to the State Bar - which is forthcoming.
It is unfortunate that every profession has its share of "bottom dwellers" who will engage in unethical and illegal conduct to try and gain advantage. The legal profession is no different. With its recent decision disbarring Sinowski and Freedman, the Georgia Supreme Court has demonstrated that such conduct will not be tolerated in Georgia.
Please visit us at www.BellLawFirm.com
No comments:
Post a Comment