Benchslaps, Legal Ethics

You Won't Believe How Far These Lawyers Went To Win A Big Case

The adage is "quitters never win," but maybe these folks should have quit when they were ahead.

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Are you the kind of lawyer that would do anything to win the big case? Work hard, stay late, and put it all on the line for a client?

What about setting up opposing counsel to get arrested mid-trial?

It is certainly a… unique strategy.

That is exactly what a Florida judge (acting as a legal ethics referee) has found three attorneys, Robert Adams, Stephen Diaco, and Adam Filthaut, did “deliberately and maliciously” during a high-profile case. It was a defamation case between rival DJs, with the firm of Adams & Diaco representing Bubba the Love Sponge Clem (whom readers may remember for his role in the case of Hulk Hogan v. Gawker Media).

The ABA Journal reports the details of the scheme:

An Adams & Diaco paralegal reportedly spotted the opposing lawyer, C. Philip Campbell, at a Tampa steakhouse one night after the trial was over for the day and had drinks with him without revealing her connection with the firm. A flurry of phone calls and texts ensued between the paralegal, firm lawyers and a Tampa police sergeant who was a friend of one of the lawyers. The evening culminated with Campbell’s arrest by Tampa police as he pulled away from the restaurant in the paralegal’s vehicle, which she had urged him to drive.

The DUI case against Campbell was dropped, and in addition to this ethics case, the FBI is investigating if Campbell’s civil rights were violated. There will be a hearing next month to determine the sanctions the lawyers will receive for their actions, and the AP reports it could include disbarment.

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I know the adage is “quitters never win,” but maybe these folks should have quit when they were ahead.

3 lawyers ‘maliciously’ set up opposing counsel for midtrial DUI arrest, referee says [ABA Journal]

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