Monday, April 16, 2012

Why one shouldn't rush to judgment....

... even when it's reported in the newspaper.  Lots of people in town have been quick to jump on the Lewis/Tein bar investigation.  Problem is that it was misreported.  Here's the Florida Bar letter from today, apologizing:


April 16, 2012
 
Mr. Guy A. Lewis
Mr. Michael Ross Tein
Lewis Tein PL
3059 Grand Avenue, Suite 340
Coconut Grove, FL  33133-5166

Re:      Complaint by The Florida Bar against Michael Ross Tein
            The Florida Bar File No. 2012-70,334(11G)

            Complaint by The Florida Bar Bar against Guy A. Lewis
            The Florida Bar File No. 2012-70,335(11G)

Dear Mr. Lewis and Mr. Tein:

Newspapers recently reported information pertaining to your representation of Tammy Gwen Billie and Jimmy Bert, some of which was attributed to The Florida Bar and some of which was not accurate.  Pursuant to our discussions, please be advised as follows:

            1.         The Florida Bar does not now nor did it previously have an investigation                                        pertaining to your Motion to Recuse Judge Dresnick, as was previously reported.

            2.         The matter which is pending at Grievance Committee pertains only to Judge                                  Dresnick's $3500 sanctions order and not to “perjury” or any other issue or                                     allegation, as was previously reported.

            3.         As discussed, the Florida Bar continues to monitor the underlying civil                                           proceedings.
 
The Bar regrets any confusion caused by the recent news reports.

Sincerely,

ARLENE KALISH SANKEL
Chief Branch Discipline Counsel

cc:        Mr. Kendall B. Coffey, Esq.
UPDATE -- The Herald issued this correction today.  They were given the bad information by the Bar:



Because of incorrect information provided by the Florida Bar, a story in Friday's Metro section gave an inaccurate account of the Bar’s investigation into Miami lawyers Guy Lewis and Michael Tein. The Bar is not investigating the lawyers for their assertion — in a recusal motion involving their clients, two Miccosukee Indians — that Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ronald Dresnick was biased against Native Americans. The story also mischaracterized the status of two other related allegations. The Bar’s grievance committee is investigating Lewis and Tein’s failure to turn over financial records of their clients. The Bar’s staff is monitoring the lawyers’ assertions regarding the source of their clients’ payments.

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:12 PM

    As usual, the people rushing to judgment are the haters who are jealous of the success of others. People maligning lewis tein are of the same character as the people taking joy in Roy's DUI loss in WPB - people who know nothing about the merits and want to tear down good lawyers.

    As for the misconduct of the Bar lawyer in providing false information - inexcusable.

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  2. Anonymous7:44 PM

    Guy and Mike are real lawyers and can take this. Easy for the papers and the Bar to take shots at them when they can't respond.

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  3. Anonymous8:42 PM

    Problem with this case is that there is a perception that is very real: an Indian tribe worth a gazillion dollars paid lawyers over $3 million to defend a meritless case when it could have simply paid the victims the money. Even assuming Tein/Lewis did nothing wrong, the whole thing stinks and gives the legal profession a black eye. $3 million to defend a case where liability was conceded? Give me a break!

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  4. Anonymous9:42 PM

    You have to be kidding me. You obviously know nothing about the case or civil litigation. Read the articles. The plaintiffs were suing for 30 mill and refused to settle. Get your facts straight before you get on your soap box.

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  5. Anonymous9:42 PM

    You have to be kidding me. You obviously know nothing about the case or civil litigation. Read the articles. The plaintiffs were suing for 30 mill and refused to settle. Get your facts straight before you get on your soap box.

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  6. Anonymous10:22 PM

    Despite the bar's apology there should be an investigation

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  7. Anonymous12:05 AM

    who investigates the Florida Bar lawyers?

    ReplyDelete