Ethy Awards

To support the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this episode, we recap the four newest Ethy Awards nominees, including two nominees for Ms/Mr Uncongeniality: (1) SPEED (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality) A lawyer has been interiorly suspended in both Kentucky and Ohio for threatening to "blow up" an allegedly corruption scheme. (2) ENOUGH SAID (Pit Bull Award) An Illinois lawyer is being charged with ethics violations for filing at least 26 lawsuits against his town after it declined to hire him as an employee. (3) MY COUSIN VINNY (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality) The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed a murder conviction because the prosecutor was demeaning and insulting in his cross-examination of the defendant's expert witness. (4) TRADING FAVORS (Most Creative Billing) A Maine lawyer was reprimanded for bartering legal services in exchange for unspecified excavation services and a 2009 Audi.

To financial support the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. In this long-awaited episode, Sean Carter explains the importance of regular ethical reminders and then unveils the four most recent Ethy nominees: 1) A VIEW FROM THE TOP (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality) A Louisiana lawyer was suspended for six months for asking the opposing party to "wear something low cut" to an upcoming hearing. 2) THE LITTLE MERMAID (Most Conflicted in a Legal Representation) A Massachusetts lawyer was reprimanded for representing a client in litigation while simultaneously attempting to be hired by the opposing lawyer firm. 3) A TIME TO KILL (Critic's Choice Award) A New York lawyer was disbarred for disparaging and threatening posts to judges on social media. 4) HARDLY WORKING (Most Creative Billing) A Tennessee lawyer was suspended for five years (with four years stayed) for falsifying time sheets and expense reports.

To financially support the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. In this episode, there are four new nominees, including the Houston lawyer who recently gained notoriety/infamy for a failed defense of Alex Jones. (1) ILLEGAL TENDER (Most Creative Billing) A Pennsylvania lawyer has been suspended on interim basis after being charged with promoting prostitution for accepting sex in payment for his legal services when defending women defendants with drug and/or financial problems. (2) RETURN TO SENDER (Joan Rivers Award) A Texas lawyer is facing potential ethics (and malpractice) charges for inadvertently sending damaging information about his client to opposing counsel. (3) A SIMPLE FAVOR (Least Competent in a Legal Setting) A Tennessee lawyer was suspended for 30 days for failing to provide competent representation to a client she had been dating on-and-off for 10 years. (4) FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) A Kansas lawyer was suspended for at least one year for aggressive actions towards his ex-wife, father-in-law, current wife and step daughter.

To financially support the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. In this episode, Sean Carter adds some important ethical insights to the levity as he introduces our newest nominees: (1) BLACK WIDOW (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) A New York lawyer was suspended for three years for attacking fellow subway riders in two separate incidents over a six-month period. 2) FRIDAY (Best Original Excuse) An Iowa lawyer was held in contempt and fined $5,000 for fabricating a story about being hospitalized with back pain in order to obtain a continuance and then blaming the misleading communication on his "confused" wife / legal assistant. 3) BIG EYES (Archie Bunker Award) A British Columbia lawyer was suspended for 4 1/2 months for engaging in repeated acts of sexual harassment and making several racially-insensitive comments to his employees. 4) 3 STRIKES (Most Creative Tale) A Georgia lawyer was disbarred for communicating with a person represented by counsel and then lying about it.

To support the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this episode, America's funniest lawyer introduces four more outrageous Ethy Award nominees and provides important reminders as to why Twitter is not always your friend: (1) THE BONE COLLECTOR (Worst Love Scene) An Arizona lawyer was reprimanded and placed on 18 months probation for requesting to exchange nude photos with a client. (2) OTHELLO (Worst Legal Strategy) A New Jersey lawyer was disbarred for refusing to acknowledged the laws and courts of the U.S. by virtue of her status as an "aboriginal indigenous Moorish American." (3) DISCLOSURE (Eager Beaver Award) A South Carolina bar applicant was required to wait an additional one year before being admitted to the bar for his failure to disclose a college fraternity prank. (4) DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR? (Joan Rivers Award) A D.C. lawyer has been charged with ethical violations for posting sealed documents on Twitter along with "Where's my CA$H?" in response to a delay in receiving payment of her fee.

To support the podcast, please visit us at https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. In this episode, Sean Carter recaps the most recent Ethy Award nominations: (1) JUWANNA MANN (Hitchcock Award) A North Carolina lawyer surrendered his law license after pleading guilty to impersonating his wife online and sending out nude pictures of her to strangers on the Internet. (2) MOTHER (Judge Dredd Award) A Florida judge was suspended for 60 days and fined $30,000 for serving as her son's lawyer in a criminal matter to be heard in her jurisdiction. (3) ERIN BROCKOVICH (Lifetime Achievement Award) The real life lawyer featured in the movie Erin Brockovich has been disbarred for not paying millions of dollars owed to clients. (4) BLACKKKLANSMAN (Archie Bunker Award) A Maryland lawyer has been suspended indefinitely for writing a letter to her client that contained offensive and anti-Semitic language.

To financially support the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. America's foremost (and only) Humorist at Law Sean Carter is back on schedule with this weekly episode of the Ethy Awards. The latest nominees are: (1) THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS (Worst Love Scene) An Ohio lawyer was suspended for two years for having an affair with a divorce client and then lying to everyone about it. (2) A PRICE ABOVE RUBIES (Most Creative Billing) A Louisiana lawyer was suspended for 18 months for charging a client more than $100,000 to prepare a one-page form on her behalf. (3) DRAGNET (Joan Rivers Award) A D.C. lawyer was publicly censured for including derogatory characterizations of the client in his motion to withdraw from representation. (4) FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (Hitchcock Award) A complaint has been filed against an Illinois lawyer who used her access to public records for personal reasons.

To become a patron of the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. In this (too) long-awaited episode, we introduce four (4) new nominees for the 2023 Ethy Awards, including: (1) RISKY BUSINESS (Worst Love Scene) A Nevada lawyer has been order to stop practicing law indefinitely after being charged with exchanging legal services for sex and broadcasting these encounters throughout his law offices. (2) KINGPIN (Worst Temper) A South Carolina lawyer was suspended for nine (9) months for a physical altercation with his girlfriend at a bowling alley. (3) IT (Most Creative Billing) A Massachusetts lawyer was suspended for one year and a day for obtaining reimbursement from both his law firm and a CLE sponsor for the same $1,952.85 he spent on wine for a post-conference cocktail reception. (4) JOHN Q (Best Original Excuse) A New York lawyer was suspended for six months for lying about the status of a matter to her superiors within the law firm. A serious medical condition made her extremely fearful of losing the health insurance provided by her employer.

To financially support the podcast, please feel free to become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this episode, Sean Carter recaps the most recent nominees, including the very rare nomination of a woman lawyer in the category of Worst Love Scene. (1) COYOTE UGLY (Worst Love Scene) A Massachusetts lawyer was suspended for 90 days for sending nude selfies and explicit texts to a client. See Massachusetts No. BD-2022-034. (2) I CARE A LOT (Pit Bull Award) A one-year suspension has been recommended for an Illinois lawyer who took his elderly client suffering from dementia out of a nursing home so that she could withdraw $3,500 from her bank to pay his legal fees. See Illinois Commission No. 2020PR00045. (3) DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID (Least Competent in a Legal Setting) A complaint has been filed against an Illinois lawyer who attempted to settle a claim on behalf of a dead client. See Illinois Commission No. 2022PR00039. (4) PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE (Most Impaired in a Legal Setting) A Canadian lawyer was reprimanded for continuing to send drunken texts to other women lawyers with whom he had no professional dealings. See 2022 MBLS 4.

To become a patron of the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. In this episode, legal humorist Sean Carter introduces the next four (4) Ethys nominees: (1) PUNCHLINE (Archie Bunker Award) An ethics complaint has been filed against a Connecticut lawyer who used the N-word while performing at an amateur comedy night. (2) THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (Eager Beaver Award) A Massachusetts candidate passes the bar exam on his 20th attempt, only to be denied admission for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law as a paralegal during the 30 years it took him to finally pass the bar. (3) THE EMOJI MOVIE (Judge Dredd Award) A Tennessee judge was ordered recused from a trial and had some of his orders revoked as a result of statements that the judge made about the case in the press and on Facebook. (4) PRIMARY COLORS (Most Creative Tale) A Tennessee lawyer was suspended for one-year for making misleading statements about his income in connection with an attempt to get his child support obligation reduced.

To support the podcast, visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this episode, legal humorist Sean Carter introduces the latest Ethy Awards nominees: (1) LEAP OF FAITH (Most Deceptive Marketing) A North Carolina lawyer has been charged with deceptive marketing practices for marketing himself as a "Christian lawyer" while simultaneously engaging in gratuitous sexually explicit communications with his clients. (2) SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (Best Original Excuse) An Ohio judge is facing a possible two (2) year suspension for a "breathtaking number of infractions" that she claims were caused by menopause and sleep apnea. (3) HULK (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award) A North Carolina lawyer was reprimanded for telling the opposing party that, in essence, they wouldn't like him when he's angry. (4) SHOOT TO KILL (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) A Colorado lawyer suspended for three (3) years after being convicted of shooting a motorist in the back of the head after mistakenly believing that the motorist was trying to run down fellow protestors at a Black Lives Matter rally in the wake of George Floyd's murder.

To support the podcast, please feel free to visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this episode, legal humorist Sean Carter introduces four (4) new nominees, including nominees in lesser known categories such as The Comeback Kid and Most Impaired in a Non-Legal Setting. (1) CHRISTINE (Most Impaired in a Non-Legal Setting) A Florida lawyer was suspended on an emergency basis after she was arrested for intentionally driving her car into a crowd of people at a supermarket. (2) WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (Comeback Kid) The Illinois Hearing Board has proposed a censure for a lawyer who slept with the client and then falsely claimed that she was an employee to help her get an apartment. (3) ZOOM (Most Impaired in a Legal Setting) An Arizona lawyer has been suspended for six months and a day for showing up drunk to a Zoom status conference. (4) DOUBLE TAKE (Most Creative Billing) An Illinois lawyer has been suspended for three (3) years for repeatedly billing two parties for the same legal work.

To become a patron of the podcast, please join us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this episode, we introduce three (3) confirmed nominees and a prospective nominee, who just happens to be a member of the U.S. Supreme Court. 1) LOVE AT FIRST BITE (Worst Love Scene) An Illinois lawyer is being charged with multiple ethics violations for, among other things, asking a divorce client if he can bite her butt. 2) PAY IT FORWARD (Least Competent in a Legal Setting) A Pennsylvania lawyer has been suspended in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for failing to provide legal services and then secretly paying the clients out of his own pocket for the losses they incurred. 3) WIZARD OF OZ (Archie Bunker Award) A Kansas lawyer was suspended for one year for using profanity and racially-insensitive language, such as referring to two African-American litigants as "boys." 4) FORREST GUMP (Most Conflicted in an Adversarial Proceeding) Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is being nominated for a provisional Ethy Award for his apparent conflicts of interests due to the political activities of his wife, Ginni Thomas.

To become a patron of the podcast, visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this episode, legal humorist Sean Carter introduces the next four Ethy Awards nominees and manages to do so without being slapped in the face by Will Smith. (1) EVERYBODY'S ALL-AMERICAN (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) A Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommended a 60 day suspension for a lawyer who physically assaulted his teenage son's employer. (2) THE WOOD (Worst Love Scene) A Massachusetts probate judge has been suspended indefinitely for grabbing the buttocks of a court staffer at a judicial conference. (3) A BUG'S LIFE (Pitbull Award) Two Virginia lawyers were reprimanded for not taking stronger steps to prevent their client from illegally recording her soon-to-be ex-husband in connection with their divorce proceedings. (4) RESPECT (Best Original Excuse) A Maryland lawyer was disbarred for submitting fraudulent expense reports to his law firm to obtain reimbursement for personal travel expenses, despite his excuse that "they owed me anyway but I get no respect around here."

To become a patron of the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. In this episode, legal humorist Sean Carter recaps our latest Ethy Award nominees: (1) REAR WINDOW (Outlawyer Award) A Michigan lawyer was suspended for six (6) months after multiple convictions for being a Peeping Tom. (2) KNIVES OUT (David Copperfield Award) A Virginia lawyer had his license revoked for using undue influence with a client to get her to leave the majority of her $1.7 million estate to him. (3) THE MISSING LINK (Eager Beaver Award) A Pennsylvania lawyer had his petition for reinstatement denied and his suspension extended for six months because his LinkedIn profile indicated that he had continued practicing law while on administrative suspension. (4) WAR OF THE ROSES (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award) A Florida lawyer was suspended for 18 months for his disruptive and defiant behavior while acting as his own lawyer in his divorce.

To support the podcast, please become a contributor at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this episode, Sean Carter introduces the most recent Ethy Award nominees: (1) TARZAN (Judge Dredd) A former Kansas magistrate was censured for sending nude selfies to another member of a swinger's website. (2) CAGED HEAT (Worst Love Scene) An Ontario, Canada lawyer was suspended for two-months for engaging in intimate contact with her incarcerated client at the local jail. (3) ALTERED STATES (Most Creative Tale) A Florida lawyer was suspended for three (3) years for altering photographic evidence to obscure the identity of his criminal defendant client. (4) CITIZEN KANE (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) An Arkansas judge was censured for his aggressive actions in confronting a young man who accidentally parked in the judge's assigned parking spot.

To become a patron of the podcast, please feel free to visit us at https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards. In this episode, Sean Carter humorously recaps the latest Ethy Award nominees in four (4) categories: (1) FATAL ATTRACTION (Worst Love Scene) The Ohio Board is seeking a two-year suspension for a lawyer who had an affair with a client, whom he later filed a civil stalking protection order when the client began harassing his wife. (2) TWINS (Most Creative Tale) A Louisiana lawyer was disbarred for lying about his car being stolen, attempting to evade service of a subpoena by claiming to be his identical twin brother and fabricating receipts and invoices. (3) BEDTIME STORIES (Joan Rivers Award) A British Columbia lawyer has been suspended indefinitely for failing to cooperate in proceedings relating to his sending salacious details of pending divorce cases to his wife as "bedtime reading." (4) SOMETHING BORROWED (Hitchcock Award) A Massachusetts lawyer has agreed to disbarment after borrowing more than $8 million from various financial institutions by artificially inflating his income.

In this episode, legal humorist Sean Carter introduces four new nominees in four different categories. And, perhaps for the first time ever, he has seen (and enjoyed) all four movies. (1) AIRPLANE (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) The General Counsel of the Denver Airport was forced to resign after slapping a co-worker at a holiday party to demonstrate "proper" police de-escalation procedures. (2) TRADING PLACES (Most Impaired in a Legal Setting) A Michigan lawyer agreed to a three-year suspension for dealing and accepting drugs in exchange for legal services. (3) DESPICABLE ME (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award) The Illinois Hearing Board has recommended a three-year suspension for a lawyer who called opposing counsel "despicable" (among other things) and generally has engaged in abusive conduct towards opposing counsel, parties and even witnesses. (4) MY COUSIN VINNY (Hitchcock Award) An Oklahoma lawyer has agreed to resign after six grievances were filed against her, including one grievance filed by a judge after he repeatedly had her removed from his courtroom for wearing inappropriate attire. To become a patron of the show, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

TO BECOME A PATRON OF THE PODCAST AND RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE 2022 ETHY AWARDS CONTENT, GO TO: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards In this first episode of 2022, legal humorist Sean Carter unveils the first set of the nominees for the coveted 2023 Ethy Awards. (1) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN -- The Pitbull Award A Pennsylvania lawyer was suspended for three years for stalking a woman he met on a train, sending her countless texts and voicemails despite her clear rejections of his overtures. (2) MR. DEEDS -- Worst Legal Strategy A D.C. Hearing Committee is recommending a six-month suspension for a lawyer who inappropriately altered a previously signed and notarized deed and tax form in an effort to gain a tax advantage for the client. (3) THE EARLY BID -- Most Creative Billing The Louisiana Attorney Discipline Board recommends a six-month suspension for a lawyer who negligently overbilled clients for depositions he didn't attend and charging them for travel expenses that he never incurred. (4) MISS CONGENIALITY -- Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award A Florida lawyer received a public reprimand for making "unprofessional" and "sarcastic" remarks in several matters.

In this final episode of 2021, legal humorist Sean Carter introduces the final nominees for the 2022 Ethy Awards, which include: (1) TWO WEEKS NOTICE (Worst Love Scene) A New York lawyer was publicly censured for engaging in a romantic relationship after initialing rejecting the client's sexual advances. (2) BAD SANTA (The Outlawyer Award) A New Jersey lawyer was censured after going on a shoplifting spree on multiple occasions at a local supermarket. (3) AIR FORCE ONE (The Hitchcock Award) A Florida lawyer was suspended for two years for not notifying opposing counsel when he received a fax that was clearly sent to him by mistake. (4) TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME (The AT&T Award) The Illinois disciplinary authorities have recommended a four-month suspension for a lawyer who settled misdemeanor charges against a company and four of its employees by only consulting with corporate counsel and not the employees themselves. To become a patron of the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

Returning to our normal format, legal humorist Sean Carter introduces the newest Ethy Awards nominees, including a rare dual nominee for the Joan Rivers Award. (1) COCKTAIL (The Outlawyer Award) Two New York lawyers have plead guilty to throwing a Molotov cocktail into an empty police cruiser during last summer's George Floyd protests. As a result of their felony convictions, both attorneys will almost certainly be disbarred. (2) CRY-BABY (Best Original Excuse) A New Jersey lawyer only received a reprimand after explaining that his harassment and threats against an opposing party were caused by the exhaustion of trying to care for a colicky baby. (3) NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN (Joan Rivers Award) Two lawyers have been disciplined in separate matters for exposing their client's unsuitable as parents in custody matters. a) A Colorado lawyer received a stayed nine-month suspension and probation for delivering an affidavit to a custody evaluator that contained information about a former client's volatile behavior. b) A DC lawyer consented to a 60-day suspension (30 days stayed) for divulging information of the client's unsuitability as a parent to the guardian ad litem in the matter. (4) 1984 (Critic's Choice Award) An Arizona lawyer received a reprimand and one year's probation for making vague assertions of systemic racial discrimination by the Arizona courts in his appellate pleadings. To become a patron of the podcast, visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

In this special episode of the podcast, we break with our usual format of introducing Ethy Award nominees to discuss the recent guilty verdicts for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. In particular, Sean Carter explains in detail the crimes for which the defendants were convicted and why their lawyer's efforts to argue self-defense ultimately failed. Moreover, Sean gives a preview of the federal hate crime trial against these same defendants in February. Finally, he explains his (surprising) opposition to the prosecution of the former DA in this case for her failure to originally bring charges. And for you legal ethics lovers, we have a special treat because this entire case came about as a result of an ethical lapse by a previous unknown Georgia criminal defense lawyer. To become a patron of the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

In this episode, Sean Carter introduces four new nominees, including the first ever group nomination for an entire organization. (1) DOWNTOWN (Worst Love Scene) A New Jersey lawyer was merely censured for graphically offering a divorce client oral sex at the conclusion of his representation in the matter. (2) CADDY SHACK (Judge Dredd) A Tennessee lawyer was publicly reprimanded for his funny social media posts, which were deemed "neither dignified nor appropriate for a judge" by the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct. (3) PUBLIC ACCESS (Hitchcock Award) A New Jersey lawyer working as a cop was reprimanded for running his daughter's plates and license in an effort to check up on her whereabouts and activities. (4) THE CRYING GAME (Archie Bunker Award) An Illinois lawyer is suing the state disciplinary authority for its refusal to discipline lawyers who have engaged in acts of discrimination against her on the basis of her transgender status. To become a patron of the podcast, please visit our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

In this episode, Sean Carter introduces four (4) new nominees, including a rare nominee from our neighbors in the north in Saskatchewan, Canada. 1) NEVER LET ME GO (Archie Bunker Award) An Ohio judge was given a stayed six-month suspension for sending inappropriate Facebook messages to a court reporter. 2) THE RING (Pit Bull Award) A Georgia lawyer received a reprimand for threatening to report an undocumented former client to ICE if she didn't immediately return his call about another matter. 3) DADDY'S GIRL (Eager Beaver Award) An inactive Kentucky lawyer was reprimanded for representing his daughter as her criminal defense lawyer after she was arrested for shoplifting. 4) I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (Worst Love Scene) A Saskatchewan lawyer was suspended for six months (all but one month stayed) for improperly touching a client 10 years earlier. To become a patron the podcast, visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

In this episode, we introduce our first Canadian nominee for an Ethy Award, as well as three (3) other potential "winners." (1) DON'T THINK TWICE (Comeback Kid Award) A Canadian law graduate had his application to the Saskatchewan Law Society accepted, despite losing his teacher's credentials in 2015 for sexist and racists tweets. (2) CRISIS HOTLINE (Worst Love Scene) A Michigan lawyer was disbarred after becoming romantically involved with a client and "borrowing" money from her settlements, despite his claim that he received approval to do so after calling the state bar's ethics hotline. (3) VACATION FRIENDS (Judge Dredd Award) A Michigan judge was suspended for 180 days for not recusing himself in cases involving a lawyer who was a very close friend. (4) CONVICTION (Prosecutorial Misconduct) A former Maryland prosecutor was disbarred for his refusal to turn over exculpatory evidence after gaining a conviction in the case years earlier.

In this episode, legal humorist Sean Carter announces the latest Ethy Awards nominees. (1) RAISING ARIZONA (Best Original Excuse) Despite multiple domestic violence incidents, an Oklahoma lawyer was only suspended for two years. His suspension was mitigated, in part, by a horrific childhood. (2) BURN AFTER READING (Pit Bull Award) An Illinois lawyer was disbarred for attempting to extort $200,000 from his law firm employer as form of severance upon announcing his resignation from the firm. (3) SCHOOL TIES (Archie Bunker Award) An Illinois lawyer was suspended for six months for engaging in anti-Semitic text rants as part of a dispute over her independent contractor fees. (4) 2 GUNS (Worst Legal Strategy) Missouri Chief Disciplinary Counsel is asking the state supreme court to indefinitely suspend the law license of the lawyer who waved his automatic weapon at a group of peaceful BLM protestors marching through his neighborhood. You can become a patron of the podcast by visiting us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

(1) HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS (Outlawyer Award) A New Jersey lawyer was censured after accidentally shooting her son when her gun misfired and then failing to get him immediate medical attention. (2) THE BIG MOUTH (Joan Rivers Award) A Maine lawyer was reprimanded for informing the opposing party about his impending divorce before the client wife had a chance to do and had actually changed her mind, wanting to stay in the marriage and work things out. (3) GET HARD (David Copperfield Award) A Colorado lawyer was disbarred for self-dealing and embezzling from a political action committee for which he served as the Treasurer. (4) SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (Most Impaired in a Non-Legal Setting) An Illinois lawyer was suspended for two years for continually violating an order of protection prohibiting him from contacting his ex-wife; often under the influence of alcohol. To become a patron of the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

In this episode, Sean Carter introduces the next four (4) Ethy Award nominees and in the process, discusses the unusual criminal prosecution against the prosecutor who initially failed to prosecute the killers of Ahmaud Arbery. (1) DRIVE ME CRAZY (Most Impaired in a Non-Legal Setting) A Massachusetts lawyer was publicly reprimanded following her conviction for vehicular homicide due to driving while distracted by her phone. (2) IMPEACHMENT (Most Creative Tale) An Ohio lawyer was suspended for two years (one year stayed) for sleeping with two clients and then lying about it to his firm and bar counsel. (3) BABY MAMA (Joan Rivers Award) A Florida lawyer was suspended for one year for impregnating his client and then using information learned in the representation in an attempt to gain majority custody of their love child. (4) VIGILANTE FORCE (Prosecutorial Misconduct) A former Georgia prosecutor was indicted on two misdemeanor counts for her actions in failing to prosecute the vigilante killers of Ahmaud Arbery.

In this episode, Sean Carter introduces four new nominees for the 2022 Ethy Awards, including a nominee in a brand new category -- The Comeback Kid Award. (1) RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS (Worst Legal Strategy) A Vermont lawyer was suspended for nine (9) months for failing to fully cooperate with a bar investigation. She had been arrested for pulling a gun on a store employee after becoming incensed by the store's social distancing sign. She attended the bar's Zoom hearing from the front seat of her car wearing a mask and pleading the fifth to every question asked. (2) SMOOTH TALK (Comeback Kid Award) A former Pennsylvania DA used "smooth talk" to be reinstated after being suspended for a year for prosecutorial misconduct. (3) FREAKY FRIDAY (Worst Love Scene) An ethics complaint has been filed against an Ohio lawyer who slept with her divorce client, who very shortly thereafter committed suicide. (4) CLASH OF THE TITANS (Least Competent in a Legal Setting) A federal district court judge in Michigan has issued sanctions against Trump attorney Sidney Powell (and others) in connection with their efforts to "unleash the Kraken" to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

In this week's episode, Sean Carter introduces four new nominees and even breaks with his usual comedic banter to discuss the very serious issue of domestic violence. (1) OFFICE SPACE (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award) A New York lawyer was suspended for three months for making false allegations against her cube-mate (and the cube-mate's husband) as part of a bitter interoffice feud between the two employees. (2) TARZAN (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) A Colorado lawyer was suspended for one year (with six months stayed) for breaking his wife's nose in an act of domestic violence. (3) ROYAL DECEIT (Best Use of Deceptive Legal Marketing) A New Jersey lawyer was censured for deceptively marketing his solo legal practice as a "Law Group." (4) CROCODILE DUNDEE (Hitchcock Award) A Massachusetts court lifted the interim suspension of a lawyer who was convicted of criminal neglect after his 69-year-old mother with dementia was found wandering the streets on six different occasions.

In this episode, humorist Sean Carter introduces four more Ethy nominees: (1) AMERICAN HISTORY X (Archie Bunker Award) A Maryland lawyer was disbarred for, among other things, racist, sexist and homophobic posts on social media. (2) PULP FICTION (Critic's Choice Award) An Indiana lawyer had a reprimand increased to a 30-day suspension based on his abrasive contact towards to the disciplinary authorities. (3) TRADING PLACES (Most Creative Billing) A Pennsylvania lawyer consented to disbarment after being convicted of trading legal services for sex with five criminal defendant clients. (4) GOOD ADVICE (Eager Beaver Award) A non-lawyer was fined $5,000 for providing legal advice and strategy to an inmate who was bringing a complaint against the prosecutor who put him away.

In this week's episode, Sean Carter introduces four new nominees: (1) SPEED KILLS (Eager Beaver Award) The Ohio Supreme Court denied admission to an applicant due to his post-graduation spotty employment record, numerous speeding violations, domestic violence incidents and delinquent indebtedness. (2) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT (AT&T Award) A New York lawyer was suspended for six-months for lying to a client for five years about the status of a lawsuit that the lawyer never actually filed on behalf of the client. (3) SECRETARY (David Copperfield Award) A Pennsylvania lawyer was suspended for six months for failing to properly supervise his secretary, who stole $119,000 from various client trust accounts. (4) RESPECT (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award) A South Carolina magistrate was suspended for six months and ordered to undergo 15 days of anger management training following an incident in which he menaced the Chief Magistrate after she announced her COVID-19 implementation plan for courts in that county.

In this episode, Sean Carter introduces four new nominees in four different categories: (1) FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (Outlawyer Award) The New York State Bar has issued an ethics opinion making clear that lawyers may represent licensed cannabis growers within the state and even partake of marijuana themselves, despite the fact that marijuana is still listed as a "controlled substance" under federal narcotics law. (2) HE SAID, SHE SAID (Hitchcock Award) A Kansas lawyer was disbarred for making false allegations in two child custody cases, despite information that his claims were false. (3) DARK KNIGHT (Most Creative Tale) A New Mexico lawyer was censured for making two contradictory claims about the same subject in two separate courts. (4) A QUIET PLACE (Joan Rivers Award) A Delaware lawyer was held in civil contempt and fined $5,000 for his statements to the media in a case in which he was under a gag order.

Returning to our normal format, Sean Carter introduces the nominees in four (4) new cases in four (4) new categories: (1) MAID TO ORDER (Most Creative Billing) An Ohio lawyer resigned from the bar after making sexual advances to five (5) women clients, including asking one client to clean his home in the nude. (2) THE STING (Outlawyer Award) A New York lawyer was suspended for three (3) years after his conviction for attempting to help a friend extort money from another friend and use a rabbi to launder the ill-gotten proceeds. (3) PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (Least Competent in a Legal Setting) An Ohio lawyer received an 18-month suspension for a string of errors and omissions that resulted in a client not only losing her case but being jailed for 10 days as a result. (4) TAKING THE FALL (Most Conflicted in an Adversarial Proceeding) The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that a lawyer who was initially retained to represent the ex-husband can be sued for malpractice by the ex-wife if the lawyer convinces her to take the fall for her former spouse when she is not otherwise represented by counsel.

This week, we change the format of the program to discuss a case that is making daily headlines in the news -- the movement to #freebritney. In particular, lawyer and humorist Sean Carter draws on his extensive experience in the area (i.e., none) to explain the basics of Britney Spears' conservatorship. And then returning to an area of relative-expertise, Carter discusses the bar complaints that have been filed against Spear's (former) court-appointed lawyer and the possible disciplinary action facing this lawyer if Spear's new legal team fulfills its mandate to take aggressive action against all of those who engaged in "conservatorship abuse." We hope you enjoy this departure from our normal rapid-fire format and promise to return with four new Ethy Awards nominees next week.

In this episode, legal humorist Sean Carter introduces the four newest Ethy Award nominees and reveals his secret celebrity crush. Everyone but Mrs. Carter is sure to enjoy this episode, introducing ... (1) MISERY (Worst Love Scene) A Maine lawyer has consented to disbarment for making sexual advances towards two women clients, including what might have been the abduction of one of them. (2) RAW DEAL (Most Creative Tale) The Illinois disciplinary authority has filed a complaint against a lawyer who plead guilty to forgery for changing the agreed upon terms of a judicial order in a divorce case, giving her clients more favorable terms. (3) IDENTITY THEFT (Best Use of Deceptive Marketing) The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct has issued an advisory opinion cautioning lawyers against purchasing a competitor's name as a search engine "keyword" for the purpose of redirecting traffic meant for the competitor to the keyword purchaser. (4) SPEED (Most Creative Billing) An Illinois lawyer has consented to disbarment after agreeing to represent a client in exchange for Adderall as payment.

In this week's episode, we have four new nominees in four (4) different categories: 1) BABY MAMA (Most Impaired in a Non-Legal Setting) The Illinois ARDC has filed a complaint against a lawyer who got involved in a bar brawl on Christmas Eve. 2) DUMBO (David Copperfield Award) A New Jersey lawyer serving as trustee to a private trust was disbarred for using trust assets for purely personal purposes, such as paying for a Disney World vacation and his Netflix subscription. 3) HALL PASS (Outlawyer Award) A Kansas lawyer working as a university professor was disbarred for selling marijuana edibles to students. 4) CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE (Most Creative Tale) A one-year suspension is being recommended for a DC lawyer who made false statements in application for a FISA warrant in connection with the investigation of the Trump campaign during the 2016 election.

It's not often that legal ethics cases make national news, but that was the case this week when former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani received his first Ethy Awards nomination after being suspended from the bar for his role in Trump's effort to "stop the steal." America's Mayor is joined by three other nominees in this hilarious episode: (1) THE NIGHT BEFORE (Most Impaired in a Legal Setting) An Ohio lawyer has become the first ever two-time Ethy Award nominee after the disciplinary board recommended a six-month (stayed) suspension arising out of the lawyer's drunken outburst against a judge at a local bar association holiday party. (2) THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY (Most Creative Billing) A complaint has been filed against an Illinois lawyer who billed more than 2,000 to a pro bono matter that had been closed the year before. (3) HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE (Archie Bunker Award) A South Carolina lawyer was suspended for six months for his incendiary posts on Facebook about George Floyd, tattoos and other "hot button" issues. (4) BORAT 2 (Most Creative Tale) Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani was suspended from the practice of law pending the final resolution of the legal ethics complaint filed against him for his misleading statements to courts, legislators and the public in relation to the 2020 presidential election.

We're back with four (4) more Ethy Award nominees ... (1) PEEPING TOM (The Outlawyer Award) A DC lawyer agreed to a stayed six-month suspension after he was convicted of attempted voyeurism for trying to record an upskirt video in a DC Metro station. (2) THE BANISHING (Best Supporting Actor in a Criminal Activity) A Nebraska defense lawyer was publicly reprimanded for brokering a "banishment ban" with a local prosecutor whereby the defense lawyer would convince his client to plead guilty and then flee the state prior to sentencing on the condition that the defendant agree to never return to Nebraska. (Note: The prosecutor received the same sanction for his part in the scheme). (3) JUDGE DREDD (Archie Bunker Award) An Arkansas judge agreed to a 90 day suspension without pay for bullying three women public defenders who appeared before him. (4) CRASH (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) A Florida disciplinary referee is recommending disbarment for a lawyer who repeatedly rammed her car into the car of someone parked in the driveway of her ex-husband's home, assaulted the ex-husband and spit on the cop who responded to the disturbance.

To celebrate our 20th episode, we have included an audio clip from a live in-person Ethy Awards presentation. And, of course, Sean Carter introduces four (4) new nominees for an upcoming Ethy Awards ceremony. The nominees are: (1) THE WRONG WAY (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting). A New Jersey lawyer was censured after he assaulted a teenage pedestrian whom the lawyer came across while driving the wrong way down a residential street. (2) ANSWER THIS! (Worst Legal Strategy) A New York lawyer has been suspended on interim basis and will be disbarred if he does not respond to inquiries from the bar within the next six months. (3) CODE NAME: THE CLEANER (Best Original Excuse) A Louisiana Hearing Committee has recommended a one-year and one-day suspension for a lawyer who has relapsed into heavy drinking and refuses to acknowledge his behavior, but instead makes incredible excuses for failed alcohol screenings. (4) ME, MYSELF & IRENE (Pit Bull Award) An Iowa lawyer has been suspended for 90 days for making recklessly false statements about a judge in his vexatious efforts to overturn a disappointing ruling in his own post-divorce preceding, in which he represented himself. To become a patron of the podcast, please visit us at: https://www.patreon.com/ethyawards

In this week's episode, Sean Carter recaps either nominees in four categories: (1) THE LITTLE RASCALS (Worst Love Scene) An Illinois lawyer consented to disbarment after it was discovered that he invited a client to his office, asked her to lift her shirt and then pleasured himself while looking at the client. (2) DOUBLE TAKE (David Copperfield Award) A New Jersey lawyer was censured for disbursing to himself twice the amount he was entitled to disburse as executor of his father's estate, thereby, cheating his sister out of her rightful share of the estate. (3) SUDDEN IMPACT (Worst Legal Strategy) A D.C. lawyer who responded to a bar complaint by daring the investigator to disbar him got his wish -- a wish that was upheld by the D.C. Court of Appeals. (4) FOLLOW THE LEADER (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award) An Illinois lawyer was suspended for six months for calling opposing counsel "stupid" and the b-word during a deposition, despite his contention that the election of Trump as President had changed the standards for acceptable civil discourse.

In this episode, Sean Carter humorously recaps another week of lawyers behaving badly and introduces a nominee in a brand new category -- The Hitchcock Award. This award is awarded each year to the lawyer who receives the most "shocking" punishment. Carter also provides an important (if completely made up) insight into Little Orphan Annie's true ethnicity. (1) ANNIE (David Copperfield Award) A New York lawyer resigned from the bar after misappropriating a total of $2.6 million from four past clients. (2) EASY MONEY (Best Supporting Actor in a Criminal Activity) A New York lawyer was suspended for one year for knowingly helping a client to set up (and operate) a money transmitting business that completely ignored the regulations surrounding such a business. (3) FAME (Hitchcock Award) A Texas judge received a public warning for accepting a free $15 salad at a restaurant at a law firm sponsored event months before later awarded this law firm $2 million in attorney fees in a completely unrelated matter. (4) I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (Outlawyer Award) A Pennsylvania lawyer has been forced to step down from his positions as president of the state bar and county solicitor after being charged with solicitation of prostitution. The matter came to light after the lawyer went to the police because the escort was blackmailing him and threatening to make public their "business" arrangement.

In this episode, Sean Carter recounts four more outrageous ethics cases, including one case involving a lawyer who risked (and lost) it all to "stop the steal." (1) JUST MERCY (Most Creative Billing) A North Carolina lawyer was suspended for five years for overcharging two mentally-challenged clients seeking restitution after being imprisoned for more than 30 years for crimes they didn't commit. (2) AMERICAN BEAUTY (Worst Legal Strategy) A New York lawyer was disbarred for attempting to avoid a disciplinary suspension by resigning from the bar just two days before pleading guilty to securities violations. (3) THE TAX COLLECTOR (Critic's Choice Award) The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct has recommended a fully-stayed one-year suspension for an Ohio lawyer who accused the state supreme court of basing a prior decision "upon politics, not law" in a federal court pleading. (4) OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN (Outlawyer Award) A Pennsylvania lawyer has consented to disbarment after his indictment on domestic terrorism charges for traveling to Washington, D.C. in January with an AR-15, two handguns and lots of ammunition in an effort to "stop the steal."

In this episode, Sean Carter hilariously recaps this week's nominees for The Ethy Awards: (1) TUCKER (David Copperfield Award) A Minnesota lawyer was disbarred for using his power as trustee of an estate to invest the trust funds in the lawyer's startup ventures, which all went belly up. (2) TOO LATE BLUES (Least Competent in a Legal Setting) A New York lawyer was publicly censured for a pattern of late filings in federal court, resulting in the dismissal of her client's claims in a few cases. (3) WARNING SIGN (Most Creative Tale) A Kansas lawyer received a three-year suspension (all but six months stayed) for forging the clients' signatures, with their consent, on property transfer documents and then notarizing his forgeries. (4) UNCLE BUCK (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) A New York lawyer was publicly censured for brandishing a hatchet at a pedestrian after the pedestrian hit the lawyer's car with a diaper bag.

In this episode, your host, Sean Carter, introduces four new Ethy Award nominees, including the Taxi King of New York. He also introduces one new category, the AT&T Award, given to lawyers who failed to adequately communicate with clients. 1) THE PICKUP ARTIST (Worst Love Scene) -- An Indiana lawyer was suspended for 30 days for sending "a series of sexually explicit text messages evincing Respondent's desire to engage in sexual acts with Client." 2) THE BUCKET LIST (AT&T Award) -- A Massachusetts lawyer received a reprimand for lying to the client for three years misrepresenting the status of a case that had been long dismissed. 3) IT'S NOT MY FAULT AND I DON'T CARE (Outlawyer Award) -- The North Carolina Bar has filed a complaint accusing a lawyer of a general pattern of lawlessness, including practicing while under suspension, evading taxes and violating a family violence protective order. 4) TAXI DRIVER (Outlawyer Award) -- A New Jersey lawyer, who was known as the Taxi King of New York, was disbarred after being convicted of tax fraud for failing to remit more than $1,000,000 of surcharges collected from taxi customers.

In this episode, Sean Carter introduces the nominees in four different categories, including his personal favorite category -- Worst Love Scene. (1) KNIFE+HEART (Archie Bunker Award) A Colorado judge was forced to step down from the bench and received a censure for racial and gender-related slurs uttered in the presence of court staff/ (2) DAZED AND CONFUSED (Least Competent in a Legal Setting) An Ohio lawyer received a stayed six-month suspension for her poor performance in a criminal appeal, including an appeals brief that was described as "52 page of the most difficult reading I've ever probably done in 12 years." (3) SHOOT 'EM UP (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award) An Oregon lawyer was suspended for five years after shooting up the law office of a lawyer with whom he had previously served as co-counsel. (4) UNFAITHFULLY YOURS (Worst Love Scene) A Wisconsin lawyer was suspended for two years after pleading guilty to attempted adultery.

In this episode, Sean Carter recaps the weeks most outrageous ethics violations, including one case from our friends up north. He also introduces two (2) new categories -- Least Competent in a Legal Setting and the Joan Rivers Award. (1) OVER-EXPOSED (Least Competent in a Legal Setting) A Canadian lawyer was reprimanded for including "nude and explicit" photos of the opposing party in an affidavit. (2) I GOT THE HOOK-UP 2 (Most Creative Tale) A New Jersey judge has resigned from the bench and is suspended from the bar indefinitely for altering two documents that were requested in connection with an inquiry into her misconduct. (3) DRIVING MISS DAISY (Most Impaired in a Non-Legal Setting) An Ohio lawyer was suspended indefinitely in connection with two criminal conviction, including a recent conviction for cocaine possession. (4) EVEN STEVENS (Joan Rivers Award) A Tennessee lawyer has been censured for revealing mental health and other client information online in reaction to a negative Google review.

In this week's episode, Sean Carter introduces two new categories of nominees and one nominee that would qualify as The Most Bizarre Story Ever, if such a category existed. (1) MORE THAN PUPPY LOVE (Outlawyer Award) A Pennsylvania lawyer was suspended for two years after pleading guilty to reckless endangerment and possession of a controlled substance when guns and drugs were found in his home. The police were originally called out to his home to investigate a report that he had been engaged in bestiality with his yellow labrador named Snoopy. (2) WIND RIVER (Most Impaired in a Non-Legal Setting) A Wyoming lawyer who became Chief Judge of the Wind River Tribal Court was disbarred for dealing drugs to support her opioid addiction. (3) THE RAINMAKER (Eager Beaver Award) Two New York lawyers received 18-month suspensions for aiding in the unauthorized practice of law by hiring a suspended lawyer as a "paralegal" and then turning over their firm's real estate practice to their suspended colleague. (4) MALTESE FALCON (Best Original Excuse) A Georgia lawyer's proposed two year suspension was reduced to merely a public reprimand when he was able to successful argue that he was being made the fall guy for rampant misconduct on behalf of all of his law firm partners.

In this episode, Sean Carter humorously recaps this week's Ethy Awards nominees (which include two judges) and introduces two (2) new categories -- Most Conflicted in an Adversarial Setting and Most Creative Billing. Interestingly, the discussion of one nomination causes Sean to draw a parallel between that case and the current controversy involving NBA superstar Kevin Durant and comedian/actor Michael Rapaport. (1) THE FORGER (Most Creative Tale) A Massachusetts lawyer resigned from the bar after he was caught forging a US Attorney's signature to a settlement document, inflating his legal fees in his request for reimbursement and making false statements to bar investigators. (2) THE DICEMAN COMETH (Ms/Mr Uncongeniality Award) A New York judge resigned after his then-girlfriend disclosed text messages in which the judge talked about another ex-girlfriend in language that was “vulgar, crude, demeaning and/or featured extreme gender-based slurs and profanity.” (3) THE SOCIAL NETWORK (Most Conflicted in an Adversarial Setting) A New York judge was reprimanded for posting pictures of himself wearing his police uniform (from his days as a cop) and voicing his current support for law enforcement on Facebook. In accepting his sanction, the judge acknowledged that his posts might cause some members of the public to "reasonably question his ability to conduct himself in a fair and impartial manner while presiding over cases involving law enforcement." (4) THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (Most Creative Billing) A Massachusetts lawyer was suspended for two years for overbilling two clients for 450 hours of work that was not performed for two clients in an effort to increase her partnership bonus at year-end.

In this episode, Sean Carter tries to experiment with a more free-flowing format as he introduces four new nominees and one new Ethy Award category -- Most Deceptive Use of Marketing. The nominees are: (1) BLANK CHECK (David Copperfield Award) A Pennsylvania lawyer was disbarred for using his position as Treasurer of his Masonic Lodge to steal from the organization. (2) EPIC (Most Deceptive Use of Legal Marketing) The Florida Bar has filed a complaint against a lawyer who is branding himself as a "Pitbull Lawyer" and is using an image of a pit bull with a spiked collar on his business cards, website, Facebook page, office door and even on his boat. (3) E.T. (Archie Bunker Award) A California lawyer with a prior history of misconduct has been disbarred for misappropriating client funds and his aggressive tactics in dealing with opposing parties he deemed to be "illegal aliens." (4) THREESOME (Worst Love Scene) A Virginia lawyer agreed to a two-year suspension in connection with a series of bar complaints, one of which involved his continuing efforts to arrange a threesome between himself, his girlfriend and his client, who happened to be in jail at the time.

In this episode, Sean Carter introduces four new nominees and one brand new category -- Best Supporting Actor (in a Criminal Activity). (1) BREWSTER'S MILLIONS (Best Supporting Actor) An Illinois lawyer was placed on interim suspension after being indicted for bankruptcy fraud for helping her brother hide assets from his creditors. (2) NEIGHBORS (Worst Temper in a Non-Legal Setting) An Illinois lawyer was suspended for one (1) year after his conviction for criminal battery against an elderly woman neighbor. (3) UP IN SMOKE (The Outlawyer Award) The Illinois disciplinary authority has filed a complaint against a lawyer who was convicted of running a marijuana "grow house" in Michigan. At the time of his arrest, the police found 241 plants in his grow house. (4) ANOTHER MAN'S WIFE (Worst Love Scene) A New Jersey lawyer was suspended for one year for his Florida cocaine conviction and his conduct in a civil suit, in which he sent lewd messages via text and social media to the wife of a couple he was representing.