Ok Ok Let's Talk Alters!

The Intrepid One™ has more details on the latest installment of the continuing Jeremy Alters saga:

"In summary, there was no evidence that Alters is causing or has caused great harm to anyone," Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Marcia B. Caballero said in an order issued late Friday. "It is unlikely that The Bar will be able to prove at a plenary hearing that Alters misappropriated trust funds or that he authorized any improper transfers by clear and convincing evidence."

Miami attorney Andrew Berman, who represents Alters, said he was "elated" with the ruling.

"My client feels vindicated, but at the same time we both recognize this is the first step in the process," Berman said.

Nice win there, Mr. Berman.

A few points of interest:

*   In his testimony, Rogow revealed he provided a $2.2 million loan to Alters "on a handshake."

*    Alters and Kimberly Boldt don't share the same recollection of what happened to the trust accounts.

*   Alters got very ill and was hospitalized numerous times because he "believed he was poisoned."

*   Alters was able to raise $13 million by offering co-counsel arrangements on his class action cases.

*   Alters is purer than Ivory soap.

Hey, that's what it says!

Hank Adorno "Not A Class Action Lawyer."

So says Hank's lawyer Andy Berman at the ongoing sanctions hearing, as reported by the always excellent Julie Kay.

Question: then why was Hank handling a major public-interest class action?

Also, can someone explain to me the purpose of calling "character" witnesses such as Raoul Cantero and Sandy Bohrer?

Generalized evidence from other lawyers about the reputation of another lawyer seems to be totally irrelevant to determining specific questions of legal or ethical violations.

Plus it's inherently unreliable.

I mean, isn't that obvious by now?

I'm not suggesting any parity at all in this example, but imagine a year ago and the issue on the table was the "reputation" or "character" of our own major macher Scott Rothstein.

You had seventy lawyers, judges, etc. who worked for him, numerous politicians, sports stars, jewelers, businessmen, charities and others who vouched for his character, he was appointed to JNC and grievance committees etc., and you could have probably lined up 100 prominent and well-respected lawyers who would have extolled Scott's virtues to the heavens.

And this means what?

Or how about this -- a year ago Hank could have called successful and well-respected Broward litigator Scott Rothstein as a character witness.

See what I mean?

Have we learned nothing about the fragile house of cards upon which lawyers can create and sustain reputations in our sunny town?

Men With Broken Hearts

So have you all read the Florida Bar complaint against Hank Adorno yet?

It's dated June 5, 2009, and deals with Hank and his firm's role in settling the now-ancient Miami fire fee class action on an individual basis, which we previously covered here, here, and here (well, sorta).

Does anyone know why it took so long for the Bar to finally file the complaint?

Also, the complaint does not specify what exact punishment the Bar is seeking, other than that Hank be "appropriately disciplined."

Hmm, sounds intriguing.

Hank's got fine counsel with Andy Berman, so maybe things are not as bleak as they seem after reading that depressing document.