Targeting Attorneys
| Publication year | 2004 |
| Pages | 23 |
| Citation | Vol. 33 No. 4 Pg. 23 |
2004, April, Pg. 23. Targeting Attorneys
Vol. 33, No. 4, Pg. 23
The Colorado Lawyer
April 2004
Vol. 33, No. 4 [Page 23]
April 2004
Vol. 33, No. 4 [Page 23]
Features
CBA President's Message to Members
Targeting Attorneys
by Robert J. Truhlar
CBA President's Message to Members
Targeting Attorneys
by Robert J. Truhlar
Robert J. Truhlar
As attorneys, we should all be irritated when we are treated as if we walk around with targets on our backs. Attorney jokes are bad enough. Direct attacks on the general character of attorneys are worse. I don't like attorney jokes. Why would I? They usually characterize us with very undesirable stereotypical traits. But, we don't want to appear wimpy or humorless, so we grin and bear it, sometimes even when a good friend tells us a lawyer joke that is more obnoxious than humorous. Whatever happened to the jokes that started with: "Did you hear the one about the frog who went into a bar?"
As attorneys, we should all be irritated when we are treated as if we walk around with targets on our backs. Attorney jokes are bad enough. Direct attacks on the general character of attorneys are worse. I don't like attorney jokes. Why would I? They usually characterize us with very undesirable stereotypical traits. But, we don't want to appear wimpy or humorless, so we grin and bear it, sometimes even when a good friend tells us a lawyer joke that is more obnoxious than humorous. Whatever happened to the jokes that started with: "Did you hear the one about the frog who went into a bar?"
The Better Business Bureau
Slams Attorneys
Slams Attorneys
In late February, the Better Business Bureau
("BBB") ran a television advertisement depicting
attorneys as dishonest thieves. The ad, which has been shown
on metropolitan Denver's Channel 9, KUSA-TV, states
"You inherited a fortune. You hired a lawyer. Now
it's his fortune. Next time, check with us first."
The clear implication is that lawyers are unethical and will
steal your money. The BBB invites inquiries about lawyers
However, on contacting the BBB, a Colorado Bar Association
representative was told that the BBB does not connect with or
check with the Colorado Supreme Court Attorney Regulation
Counsel to see whether a BBB lawyer about whom an inquiry is
made has been disciplined. They, therefore, must be keeping
their own records and, of course, it would be very
interesting to hear what statements they publish about
attorneys if they are contacted. When the CBA contacted the
BBB, it was told that the ad was supposed to be funny. I
don't see any humor in it, and certainly no merit.
The CBA contacted the thirty law firms that are members of
the BBB and alerted them to the derogatory ad about
attorneys. As a result of the CBA's communications with
the BBB, it has been suggested that the issue be presented
before the "Ethics in Advertising Council." The
Council is made up of five consumers, five businesses that
advertise, and five advertising agencies. Joe Dischinger
President of the Denver Bar Association, and I plan to make a
presentation on behalf of...
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