Oh, what the hell. I'm in the mood.
"I am an attorney, and the reason no firms will take your case "
1. It has not been factually established that "no" firms will take our "case".
2. I believe our "case" is inaccurate -- it should be our "cases."
"is because you are fighting a losing battle. It is absolutely hopeless. Yes, hopeless. "
3. It is unprofessional for a lawyer to make such a statement regarding a case that they have not thoroughly researched.
"And, Mel Sembler has much too much influence and power to ever be bothered my your alledged allegations. "
4. Bigger men have been brought down before.
" In regards to Straight, you have even less of a chance because of the years that have gone by."
5. I don't think you have done your homework.
" Also, Mel's son and grandson were both in similar programs, and Mel, using this fact to back up his testimony, will claim he did not know of the abuses that occured in Straigh or any other programs he may have been affiliated with, and he will claim that he would never have subjected his familiy to these abuses; the Judge WILL believe him...trust me.
6. Considering the unprofessionalism of your other "legal" advice I am not inclined to trust your opinion in the matter.
"In regards to prosecuting former staff members of your programs, you have to remember that they will claim you were all abusive, drug using, lying, irresponsible adolescents. They will claim that any "abuse" was used to necessarily restrain violent clients. "
7. This may be accurate, but then again, there are many former staff members who regret their involvement in Straight and in the abuse that went on there, who I believe will testify on our behalf. Also, I believe there are many clients who will testify under oath as to the circumstances surrounding restraints.
"The only possible way to get your programs, staff or administrators of programs into court would be if somebody died or had serious physical injury while in a program;"
8. There have been many suicides, and several known cases of serious and lasting physical damage.
"and this injury/death must be within the last, oh, say 3 years to be safe. Surely no more than 5. I'm not sure what the statute of limitations is on abuses in your respective states, but the ones I'm familiar with are no more than 5-7 years. Claiming any kind of mental abuse is extremely hard to prove and will be a waste of money."
9. It is clear that you have not done your homework.
10. Regarding the rest of your advice, which was of a more personal nature, I would only say to each his own.
