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 QUESTION: My daughter is 16 years old and she is going for an interview with an attorney who has agreed to represent her. However, I cannot be at the meeting, may I phone the law office later and request information regarding the interview? Why or why not? Thank you
ANSWER: Andy,
Probably not unless you are authorized. You need to discuss this with your daughter and the attorney before they meet. If your daughter authorizes release of information to you, you certainly can get it.
The problem is that you don't want there to be a breach of client confidentiality. If you are her guardian, then you will be the person acting on behalf of your daughter and the attorney has a good argument to maintain that confidentiality by communicating with you with your daughter's consent.
Very truly yours,
Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D.
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QUESTION: I believe you have already answered my 2nd question, but I am going to ask anyway. My daughter (16 yrs old) has an attorney, but because she is under the age of 18, does not necessarily create the situation where her attorney is our attorney, correct? Unless, it is specified that he is our attorney, he really justs represents her. Right? Her being underage does not automatically make him our attorney? Thank you so much--I have made this question much more confusing than it should be. Sorry
Answer Andy,
No problem. I am sorry I was not clear.
The attorney is your daughter's attorney who represents her interests through her guardian. Your daughter is not of age to sign a contract so the contract for professional services is signed through the guardian. The guardian as well as the attorney have to act in your daughter's best interests. In the strictest sense, he is not your attorney but you have the ability to hire and fire him if you feel that is in her best interest.
