Evidence
In Document Dustup, Lawyer Compares Jones Day Team to Kids in a Sandbox
Posted Apr 8, 2009 5:44 AM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
A lawyer who represented the state of Rhode Island in lead paint litigation calls a fight over a legal document a “tempest in a teapot” and criticizes the Jones Day legal team that filed a lawsuit seeking its return.
The lawsuit claims Rhode Island’s law firm, Motley Rice, tried to profit from the theft of a confidential document from Sherwin-Williams regarding insurance coverage for lead paint defense fees, the American Lawyer reports. “Motley Rice has acted with malice and conscious disregard of Sherwin-Williams' legal rights," according to the suit filed by Jones Day.
Motley Rice lawyer Fidelma Fitzpatrick didn’t mince words in an interview with the American Lawyer. She said Motley Rice was negotiating return of the “innocuous” document when Jones Day filed suit, and the dispute is “a tempest in a teapot.”
"Like 3-year-olds in the sandbox—never have I dealt with more unprofessional attorneys," she said of the Jones Day lawyers. "It's pathetic. ... The legal profession shouldn't operate this way."
Rhode Island Judge J. Silverstein has refused to grant the protective order sought by Jones Day and has ordered discovery on whether the document is privileged.
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Comments
B. McLeod
Apr 8, 2009 7:06 AM CST
When pickings are slim, and fees are scarce, stirring up pointless litigation is one way to pump up billables. Again, however, such is a very short term strategy, and should the client figure it out, the loss of repeat business may dwarf the billables of the Day.
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iehs
Apr 8, 2009 8:44 AM CST
I suspect Jones Day accidentally produced this confidential document. If so, I hope they are not billing for this litigation.
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pFOLLOWb
Apr 8, 2009 10:04 AM CST
I think some *paths become lawyers to write off serious personality disorders, in the name of profit, power, and profession. Not a good balance for justice.
Legal profession is so far past common sense…
EDD, a sleeping monster, waking up.
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Oy
Apr 9, 2009 4:12 PM CST
I read the complaint. Sounds like Motley Rice is projecting (as they say in the psychology biz….).
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