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Disciplinary Investigation Called for in Dry Cleaners Case
May 8, 2007 (Washington, DC)—The American
Association for Justice (AAJ) today called for a disciplinary investigation
of District of Columbia Administrative Law Judge Roy Pearson Jr.,
who brought a $65 million lawsuit against a family-owned dry cleaning
business for losing his pants.
(A copy of AAJ CEO Jon Haber’s letter is below.)
In his letter, Haber stated: “Our court system has no place
for those who abuse the instruments of justice for personal gain or
the intimidation of others.”
In addition to the call for an investigation, AAJ President Lewis
S. “Mike” Eidson stated “As attorneys who are committed
to helping Americans receive justice throughout courts, we are outraged
by the very idea of a $65 million claim over a pair of pants. It is
not only ridiculous – it is offensive to our values.”
Eidson and Haber have also personally pledged to contribute to a
defense fund established to support the dry cleaners.
In a message to AAJ board members today (below), Eidson emphasized
that the unique nature of this case should not be used to undermine
the important role of the nation’s civil justice system. “This
case is clearly atypical and we cannot allow those who oppose us on
fundamental issues of access to the civil justice system to turn this
case into an indictment of that system,” said Eidson. “Our
mission continues to be to ensure Americans have a level playing field
in our courtrooms – even when it means taking on the most powerful
corporations.”
Jon Haber letter to District of Columbia Bar Association
May 8, 2007
Mr. James Sandman
President
District of Columbia Bar Association
1250 H St. NW, Sixth Floor
Washington DC 20005
Dear Mr. Sandman:
As a member of the District of Columbia Bar, I believe that the widely
reported actions of Mr. Roy Pearson, Jr. in pursuing a $65 million
dollar lawsuit against a local dry cleaning business appear to constitute
a serious abuse of the civil justice system and warrant a disciplinary
inquiry from the Bar.
Media reports indicate that Mr. Pearson, an administrative law judge
and member of the District of Columbia Bar has relentlessly pursued
his lawsuit against Custom Cleaners, a family-owned dry cleaner, for
temporarily misplacing a pair of his suit pants. Despite an apparently
generous settlement offer that includes the return of the once-missing
suit pants, news reports indicate that Mr. Pearson has maintained
his action over a two-year period, filed thousands of pages in documents
and made damage claims that appear to be farfetched and unjustified.
Moreover, it appears that Mr. Pearson’s actions in this matter
are consistent with his behavior in prior legal disputes, where he
has followed courses of action both that appear both vexatious and
disproportionate to any legitimate claim.
The American civil justice system ought to be a point of pride, both
to the public and the profession. It enables those who, in good faith,
believe that they have been wronged to pursue justice and have an
impartial tribunal resolve responsibility. Only in such a courtroom
can everyone – regardless of wealth, connections or political
clout – stand on a level playing field of justice.
Our court system has no place for those who abuse the instruments
of justice for personal gain or the intimidation of others, rather
than just compensation. That Mr. Pearson occupies a position of public
trust as an administrative law judge, in addition to his membership
in the Bar, further intensifies the dishonor that his apparent actions
have cast on both the system and the profession. As attorneys, we
have a special obligation to preserve the integrity of our civil justice
system.
Our commitment must be to strengthening the civil justice system
so that deserving individuals can get justice, wrongdoers are held
accountable, and efforts to weaken basic legal protections are repelled.
For actions inconsistent with the oath and office of our learned
profession, I urge that the District of Columbia Bar investigate this
matter and take appropriate disciplinary action.
Sincerely,
Jon Haber
Chief Executive Officer, American Association for Justice
Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson message to American Association for
Justice Board of Governors
Dear American Association for Justice Board Member:
Let me bring you up to speed on the latest on the family-owned dry
cleaner in Washington, DC, being sued for $65 million over a pair
of pants.
First, I want to repeat what I said Friday: As attorneys who are
committed to helping Americans receive justice throughout courts,
we are outraged by the very idea of a $65 million claim over a pair
of pants. It is not only ridiculous – it is offensive to our
values.
Today, Jon Haber, AAJ CEO and DC Bar Association member, has sent
a letter to the Bar calling for a disciplinary investigation of Administrative
Law Judge Roy Pearson Jr. in light of his actions in pursuing this
case. A copy of Jon’s letter is attached.
I am also personally making a contribution to the defense fund, as
is Jon. If you wish to contribute, the fund can be found at www.customcleanersdefensefund.com
However, I continue to believe that the news media is sensationalizing
this case beyond reasonable bounds. This case is clearly atypical
and we cannot allow those who oppose us on fundamental issues of access
to the civil justice system to turn this case into an indictment of
that system. Our mission continues to be to ensure Americans have
a level playing field in our courtrooms – even when it means
taking on the most powerful corporations.
Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson
President, American Association for Justice
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As the world's largest trial bar, AAJ (formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America) promotes justice and fairness for injured persons, defends the constitutional right to trial by jury, and strengthens the civil justice system through education and disclosure of information critical to public health and safety. Serving members worldwide, AAJ provides attorneys with the information and professional assistance they need to serve clients successfully and protect the democratic values of the civil justice system. Visit http://www.justice.org
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