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
Question I live in Philadelphia, PA. My Attorney lied during and after my trial about which documents he had presented to the Defense and the Court. He failed to provide documentation of my damages during Discovery. During my trial it was an uphill battle to ask for the damages I was seeking because of what he had done. He lied to me about everything not knowing that I would search for the truth. I didn't believe anything he told me. I have proof that my Attorney gave a less than zealous representation of my case during trial. He gave the Defense Attorney the most damaging piece of information about my case and told the Judge he couldn't remember what he had given the Defense. I have the Court File and Transcript of the Trial to prove everything he was lax about. Additionally, he lied and would not allow my family in the courtroom stating it was against the law. The court tip staffer told them they could come in and once again he told them they couldn't. My family sat in the hall area for the three days worried while my trial was in session. They could see that things had gone fowl. My Attorney shared information before, during and after my trial with family members about the details of my case without getting my permission. The jury did award me something but far below the amounts I was seeking. I had given my Attorney documentation of my damages one year prior to the Trial. He wants me to accept the $50,000.00 Verdict amount vs the $500,000.00 value placed on my claim during the Case Management Hearings with the Court. On 12/9/03 I broke my tibula and fibia. I have one plate and ten screws in my leg. I could not accept employment to be reinstated to a previous job. I was to earn $32,000.00 yearly. This employer made two attempts to return me to my job in 2004 and 2005. I had over $80,000.00 in medical bills. Is this a breach of fiduciary duty and should I speak to another Attorney regarding these complaints. May I hold any Fees due to Attorney in escrow while I seek another Attorney to deal with my complaint?
Answer Denise,
The facts you describe show a breach of the fiduciary duty owed to you. Additionally, it shows a lack of candor to the court and to the opposing party.
If you have a contingency agreement with the attorney, you should inform him in writing that you are not authorizing any payment to him and that you are going to seek the advice of other counsel.
I urge you to immediately speaking to a legal malpractice attorney in Pennsylvania to determine your rights.
