| ► Toledo Blade – 08/16/01 – Ex-Toledoan in judicial pickle |
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Toledo Blade – Aug. 16, 2001 – Ex-Toledoan in judicial pickle By James Drew
Ohio high court counsel seeks to rein in so-called legal adviser
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Supreme Court’s disciplinary counsel wants to put a self-described “judicial watchdog” on a short leash.
But David Palmer, a former Toledo-area resident who runs a web site and a one-man group called “The Committee to Expose Dishonest and Incompetent Attorneys and Judges,” counters that powerful interest want to muzzle him.
During a five-hour hearing yesterday before the Board of Commissioners on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, Mr. Palmer used flashes of humor and testy exchanges to defend himself against allegations that he has practiced law without a license.
A report from the seven-member panel appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court [Chief Justice Thomas Moyer] is expected by the end of the year. A final decision rests with the high court.
Dianne Anelli, an assistance disciplinary counsel for the Ohio Surpeme Court, said Mr. Palmer has practiced law without a license by operating a web site that proclaims “now offering free legal advice,” using the letters “J.D.” after his name, and filing a legal brief in an appeals court 13 years ago.
“The evidence will show that Mr. Palmer has engaged in the unauthorized practice of law and held himself out as qualified to do so,” Ms. Anelli said.
But Mr. Palmer, a former military court reporter, said he devotes a big chunk of his web site to critiquing other sites that do offer free legal advice.
He said his we site also offers “remedial legal ethics classes, mediation/arbitration services, and light hauling and landscaping.”
In response to questions from Ms. Anelli, Mr. Palmer said he couldn’t recall whether he told a Wall Street Journal reporter that he can provide options to people with legal questions, and that state laws regulating “unauthorized practice of law” are unconstitutional.
He said he has received thousands of e-mails from people who allege misconduct by attorneys or judges.
“I consider myself to be a dispenser of a big dose of commonsense. I tell most people to stay as far as they can from the courthouse and the legal system…I do not sit down and say ’This is how you filed a lawsuit, said Mr. palmer, who lives in the Columbus suburb of Powell.
Mr. Palmer called three witnesses [Ohio Supreme Court called ‘none’] who have consulted him about legal issues and all testified they did not believe Mr. Palmer was an attorney because he used “J.D>” after his name. The letters, which stand for “juris doctorate” refer to a law degree.
Elisabeth Baumgartner, an attorney who lives in Oak Harbor, said she uses “J.D.” after her name on correspondence when she is not offering legal advice. She said she uses “esq.” for esquire when practicing law.
Mr. Palmer said he uses “J.D.” after his name as “satire and lampooning,” and he noted that he uses a drawing of two vicious Dobermans on his letterhead and a disclaimer that he is “also not licensed in Iowa, Texas, Michigan, and the Land of Oz.”
Lori Brown, first assistant disciplinary counsel, said the goal is for the Ohio Supreme Court to require Mr. Palmer to remove material on his web site under headings that include “The Truth about Free Legal Advice,” and “Frequently Asked Questions.”
The penalty for failing to comply would be up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine, Ms. Brown said.
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