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Legal Ethics/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Slander | 2/6/2012 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: My daughter has an annoying ex-boyfriend. They have a daughter together. He continues to send text ... A: Sabrina, You can file a claim or lawsuit, however, you are ultimately going to have to prove that ... | ||
| HIPAA | 2/4/2012 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: My son's father stole my medical records out of my file cabinet and gave them to his lawyer, hoping ... A: Becky, Unless your husband is your healthcare provider, neither he nor his attorney violated HIPAA. ... | ||
| Billing in contingency case | 1/17/2012 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: My attorneys (CA) recently helped settle a civil action on my behalf. The Settlement Gross proceeds ... A: Bonnie, You have the right to have a full accounting. You also have a right to any amount not in ... | ||
| Notary Public Ethics | 12/11/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I have a friend who's parents have agreed to sign the title of his car over to him only if he signs ... A: It is probably not unethical for a notary to sign the document. The notary is only avowing that the ... | ||
| Violation of Fiduciary duty | 12/1/2011 | Frank Rappa |
| Q: An Estate Attorney sent me a letter asking me for my social security number for tax purposes and ... A: Assuming this info is accurate and complete, I can give you the short answer. The money is your ... | ||
| Employer Fraud? | 11/29/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Around this time last year, I applied for a videographer position for a company called Capitol ... A: This is a civil matter and I suggest you sue the employer for breach of contract. Since the offer ... | ||
| Dentures | 10/30/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: My wife had to have all of her teeth removed and her dentist made dentures for her.she had to go ... A: Rick, The dentist should have informed your wife that the dentures may not work because of her lack ... | ||
| Privacy Violation? | 10/27/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Friedman, I recently hired a divorce lawyer. There is an issue in my divorce involving my mental ... A: Casey, I am not licensed to practice law in Louisiana so I cannot address whether it is legal. It ... | ||
| Legal extortion | 10/12/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Two instances of what I'll call "legal extortion" have touched me personally. In these instances, ... A: Michael, This is a very interesting question. Businesses do a cost/benefit analysis and ... | ||
| inetentional infliction of emotional distress, slander | 9/9/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: My neighbor and former friend accused me of having an affair with her husband (a complete ... A: Denise, Asking for an amount of money to prevent litigation is not blackmail or extortion, it is an ... | ||
| inetentional infliction of emotional distress, slander | 9/9/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: My neighbor and former friend accused me of having an affair with her husband (a complete ... A: Denise, I am sorry you are going through this situation. This is not defamation if she believes ... | ||
| Is it possible to get non-monetary judgement in civil cases? | 9/5/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Hypothetical Scenario: Suppose A beats up B, so much that B takes 6 months physical recovery and 1 ... A: Rim, The law is not meant to enhance or suppress emotions or humanity, however, it is designed to ... | ||
| What to expect from Attorney | 7/20/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Can you tell me some of the "signs" of a good Attorney versus one who is maybe not so good/diligent? ... A: Mrs. G. I don't know the attorney you selected so I can only give you some advice on picking the ... | ||
| Gap insurance and bank holding loan | 7/15/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Don't know how to put this. So bare with me. I had a car loan through a well know bank and had gap ... A: Sandy, You have a right to have the dealership pay the gap insurance, and if it refuses, you have a ... | ||
| hot car | 7/9/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: from a legal perspective is there any reason why casey anthony would not now come out and tell ... A: Ron, From a legal perspective, Casey Anthony can say whatever she wants at this point without ... | ||
| defamation of character to a child. | 6/30/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I would like advise regarding defamation of character to a 15 year old girl by adults! My daughter ... A: Pamela, I can only give you a broad breakdown of defamation as I am not licensed in the UK. ... | ||
| Contract | 6/18/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: if a person signed a contract, but neglected to keep a copy and believes the contract may have been ... A: Nancy, The answer to both questions is yes. An original can be tested to determine the age of the ... | ||
| Question of Ethicality? | 6/13/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Friedman, I live in Miss., I know that you cannot give legal advice in my state, but I would very ... A: Marty, Your attorney had an ethical responsibility to be diligent and provide you with advice and ... | ||
| Accountability | 5/22/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I'm not sure if I am asking in the right area or the right person, but here goes: I rent a house and ... A: Jared, Notify your landlord that the roofer is not cleaning and you are worried about nails with ... | ||
| Defamation of Character | 5/15/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I have recently found out that a group of guys are going around broadcasting to different ... A: Renee, It sounds like a viable case of defamation based on your facts. You need to show it lessens ... | ||
| after objecting to use of malpractice atty,hiring his assoc. located w/in practice | 5/8/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I am in the middle of a divorce settlement. When seeking attorneys, my soon to be ex-husband wanted ... A: Kari, I cannot comment on the Louisiana Bar, however, they should be able to tell you what form of ... | ||
| after objecting to use of malpractice atty,hiring his assoc. located w/in practice | 5/3/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I am in the middle of a divorce settlement. When seeking attorneys, my soon to be ex-husband wanted ... A: Kari, It is not unethical for an attorney sharing a space with your previous attorney to handle ... | ||
| ethic? or legal? | 4/28/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: In the state of Ohio,if an attorney agrees to take a case for a stated amount of money,(verbal, not ... A: Mae, I do not and cannot give legal advice over the internet for Ohio since I am not licensed ... | ||
| Power of Attorney | 3/14/2011 | Neha Sareen |
| Q: My spouse's parents have a power of attorney over him that he signed when he was 18 years old. He is ... A: From what I have researched, a power of attorney does not become null and void upon a marriage. A ... | ||
| possible resource? | 3/10/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Paul: I see you are listed as being a part of alot of great legal resources/organizations. Do you ... A: Leah, I would contact the Seattle University School of Law and find out what programs provide for ... | ||
| Judge Refuses to Recuse | 2/19/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Is there a potential for conflict of interest if the attorney for my spouse in our divorce: a. she ... A: Robert, You need to write to the presiding judge in the county where this is occurring. If this is ... | ||
| Conflict of Interest in Divorce Case FOLLOW-UP | 2/16/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Is there a potential for conflict of interest if the attorney for my spouse in our divorce: a. she ... A: Robert, Thank you for the nice comments. Again, the answer depends on your state's judicial ethics ... | ||
| Conflict of Interest in DIvorce Case | 2/16/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Is there a potential for conflict of interest if the attorney for my spouse in our divorce: a. she ... A: Robert, It depends on the ethics code for your particular state, however, I will provide you with ... | ||
| Beneficiary of a will | 2/3/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: In respect to the duties of an executor of a will. My father was appointed as the executor of my ... A: Mandy, I suggest you contact a probate attorney (solicitor) in your area. You need legal advice ... | ||
| Lawsuit for Long Term Disability | 1/31/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I am the caregiver for a man who has been declared legally and 100% disabled by the Social Security ... A: Juli, Judges are like all other people. There are conservative judges and there are liberal ... | ||
| first amendment vs. defamation | 1/23/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: Recently a local car dealership backed out of a deal with me for a car I had ordered. Short story is ... A: Will, Any constitutional law or civil trial attorney can give you the answer. It is not defamation ... | ||
| Breach of Fiduciary Duties | 1/20/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: My cousin has been named the executor of my aunt's will. My father is 1/3 beneficiary. He has ... A: Shannon, Your father can speak to a probate attorney or file for a formal accounting in the state ... | ||
| verbal consent | 1/19/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I previously asked about verbal consent to administer medicaiton; i failed to mention that it was ... A: Rhida, It is not acceptable ethical behavior to disrespect the patient's wishes. I am not certain ... | ||
| Relative Adoption / Withdrawal of Unethical Law Firm | 1/13/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I have followed your answers for a couple other topics and hope you can offer me some wisdom or ... A: Ava, Without providing you legal advice, I would think this provision would be invalid in most ... | ||
| Relative Adoption / Withdrawal of Unethical Law Firm | 1/12/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I have followed your answers for a couple other topics and hope you can offer me some wisdom or ... A: Ava, I am sorry you were treated this way. I suggest you contact your state bar and either request ... | ||
| Lawyer abuse and withdrawing from case | 1/11/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I complained seriously and bitterly but showing respect via a letter to my attorney about his ... A: Ricardo, I understand your frustration which is why I suggested you terminate the relationship in ... | ||
| Lawyer abuse and withdrawing from case | 1/11/2011 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I complained seriously and bitterly but showing respect via a letter to my attorney about his ... A: It sounds as if you should have terminated the representation earlier as suggested. It is not ... | ||
| Ethical Div. Negotiation? | 12/16/2010 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I know that you can't give legal advice, but if you could just give me your opinion on whether or ... A: Lane, An attorney cannot threaten to turn someone in to the police as a negotiation ploy as this ... | ||
| Legalties of Following Someone | 12/15/2010 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: If I suspect my spouse is cheating, is it illegal for me to get someone to follow them and take ... A: Terry, I do not give legal advice over the internet, however, you do not need legal advice. It is ... | ||
| Power of Attorney | 12/9/2010 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
| Q: I live in Texas, my husband has Power of Attorney over his mother because she is diagnosed with ... A: Nicole, The simple answer is that he does not have a right to stop his mother from getting loans if ... | ||
Legal Ethics
Answers by Expert:
Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D.
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I have been a practicing civil trial attorney since 1989 and have a master's degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy in comparative ethics of law, medicine and business.
I am Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and am Certified as a Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.
I can answer questions dealing with general ethics principles, including legal ethics, medical ethics, bioethics and business ethics. I do not give legal advice over the internet.
For more information, you can view my website at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
Experience
Experience in the area
I have been a practicing trial attorney since 1989 and I have a masters degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy regarding comparative ethics.
Organizations belong to
State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
District of Columbia Bar (inactive)
Federal Bar
Licensed in Arizona District Court
Licensed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Licensed in the United States Supreme Court
American Bar Association
National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Association for Justice
Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities
Kennedy Institute of Ethics
National Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts 1985
Juris Doctorate 1989
Master of Arts in Bioethics 2004
Doctorate of Philosphy 2006
Awards and Honors
Phi Beta Kappa
Multiple Who's Who
Publications
A list of my copyrighted publications and presentations is contained at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
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