AboutPaul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. 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.
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
I filed for divorce in early October. My estranged husband was arrested twice
in the ensuing months, once in late October and again in December. I recently
discovered that the criminal attorney he hired works for the same firm as my
divorce attorney. When I asked my soon-to-be ex how this situation came to
be, he said that his union referred him to this attorney. Does this constitute a
conflict of interest?
Thank you for any comments you care to make on this situation.
Lisa
Answer Lisa,
It certainly could be a conflict of interest depending on your jurisdiction. If his attorney receives confidential information which could be used against him in the divorce action, it is very problematic. I suggest you speak to your attorney and find out why they would represent him with the conflict of interest. If you need to change attorneys, I would request your attorney pay the new attorney to get up to speed since this was not your fault. I would consider a complaint to the bar if you feel your attorney is not providing you with an adequate response and resolution.
