Update: Hair Salon Extortionist’s Conviction Upheld
Back in March 2008, we named Daniel Hynes our Lawyer of the Day. Hynes was convicted of theft by extortion after trying to shake down at least 19 New Hampshire hair salons by accusing them of gender and age discrimination (in the form of pricing haircuts differently for men, women, and children).
Now, a quick update, from the ABA Journal:
The New Hampshire Supreme Court has upheld the extortion conviction of a lawyer who threatened to sue a Concord hair salon for charging women more money for haircuts than men or children.Daniel Hynes is identified as a Manchester lawyer and a 2006 graduate of the Western New England College School of Law in a story published by the Concord Monitor in March last year. A jury convicted him of theft by extortion after deliberating for only 1 ½ hours.
One and a half hours? Ouch. And Hynes didn’t fare better on appeal.
The New Hampshire Supreme Court said the extortion statute applied to Hynes’ conduct, and the law was not unconstitutionally vague. Hynes’ threat to bring an action that he couldn’t pursue because of the lack of an aggrieved client, along with his demand for a cash payment, made his conduct criminal, the opinion said.“We also disagree with the defendant’s contention that this interpretation chills an individual’s right of access to the courts,” the court said. “By no means does our holding imply that every demand for money, buttressed by a threat to sue, constitutes extortion. Rather, we are simply denying the defendant’s contention that a threat to sue may never constitute extortion.”
New Hampshire plaintiffs’ lawyers are breathing sighs of relief.
This seems to leave unresolved the underlying issue of whether it’s appropriate for hair salons or barbers to charge for their services based on gender or age. We’re sure that Justice Souter, who is moving back to New Hampshire (into nice new digs), is curious.
Extortion Conviction Upheld for Lawyer Who Threatened Hair-Cut Pricing Suit [ABA Journal]
Earlier: Lawyer of the Day: Daniel Hynes
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Comments
First
Is Western New England College of Law accredited?
That is one of the law schools that needs to close.
This is yet another cautionary tale about how graduating from an unknown law school can only create problems in your life. Here we have a story about an attorney who was not good enough to gain admission into a top tier law school. He probably leveraged himself out at least $150K for a piece of paper that is worthless. Finding no job prospects, he resorted to extorting hair salons. Now, not only will he lose his license to practice law, but he will certainly have a criminal record and may do some hard time. Now tell me kids, is going to law school, any law school, really worth it?
So does this mean that NH men are NOT a protected class??? OUTRAGE!!!!
# 4,
It is women who allegedly were disadvantaged by the higher charges. Hynes' problem is the he wasn't a victim himself and didn't have any client who was a victim. Thus the extortion conviction. No mention of the sentence. Anyone up for hard time?
5 -- So the issue is that he didn't represent anyone and didn't have a claim himself? Does that mean if he went around threatening to sue bars and clubs for having "ladies night" cover specials, he would be ok?
To the pompous and pathetic excuse for a human being that is PE:
Doesn't he at least get points for creativity?
This comment is addressed to the impudent ruffian known as poster no. 7.
If you are in the legal profession and believe this attorney's criminal conduct passes for creativity, then we have really reached the bottom of the legal gene pool. Creating fictitious clients as a result of your unemployable status spells nothing but trouble. Is this what they teach at the Best Western Law School?
2 - yes, it is accredited. i go there. shit like this makes me hang my head in shame.
It is also unfair that women can't pee standing up. We need to DEMAND that the government respect our rights.
What an idiot! Yet another example of the crap that comes out of the 3rd and 4th tiers. Close them down!
9 - kill yourself
12 - no, thank you. i have an offer from a biglaw firm and i've yet to be deferred, unlike some of you guys. :)
I'm often amazed and dismayed by the comments on this site. Do people really believe that Western New England Law teaches students to be dishonest, or for that matter, that UConn Law would suggest a student could deal drugs from a reservation? Both are fine schools with overall terrific faculty and students.