Unethical Lawyers Reflect Poorly on the Legal Profession

I remember when I was a kid, my dad, Guy Perenich, would come home at night and proudly tell us about the good that lawyers were able to accomplish. It seems like only yesterday, he was telling us that his injured client, who had no means or connection to the established interests of society, was able to prevail against an insurance company or mega-corporation. Standing up for the little guy and doing good made me want to be a lawyer too. In those days, being a lawyer was considered a noble profession. You could expect as a lawyer to be respected by the community and relied upon for leadership and integrity.

Today, not so much.

These days, lawyers have earned a “win at all cost” reputation where integrity and ethical conduct are only referenced in contrast to what lawyers are usually known for.

Bubba the Love Sponge is known as a radio shock jock that will talk about anything, no matter how salacious or base if it gets people to tune in and feed their less virtuous interests. It sounds a little like a win at all costs business model. Unfortunately, Bubba’s lawyers had that same idea when they were in court in a case against radio personality, Todd Schnitt. Bubba’s lawyers arranged to entrap their opposing counsel in a DUI and even enlisted a Tampa Police sergeant as a confederate in their scheme. Bubba’s lawyers used their paralegal to meet Schnitt’s lawyer at a bar and persuade him to drive her home when he should have taken a cab. The Tampa Police sergeant staked out the parking lot and made the opportune DUI arrest.

Now Bubba’s lawyers were hoping that by voluntarily agreeing to a plea deal with the Florida Bar (surrendering a law license for one lawyer and 91 day suspensions for 2 others) it would help keep them out of jail. Was Bubba’s case worth all of that, or how we lawyers will be perceived because of a few bad apples?

UPDATE: Today the Judge from the Florida Bar DENIED the plea deal and the three unethical lawyers will be in court on Monday to stand trial for their deplorable behavior.

I still subscribe to my dad’s ideals of being an honorable professional. That was how it was for Guy Perenich in 1955 when he started practicing law in Clearwater. It shouldn’t be different today. My dad taught us that your reputation will be all you have in the end and you have to work hard to make it a good one. I hope that some people still see that we lawyers do good, even when others don’t.

At PERENICH The Law Firm we believe that justice is a noble calling and the legal profession should be a respected vocation. If you are ever in need of our services, we would be honored to help.