Window Of Opportunity

The Indiana Supreme Court has publicly reprimanded an attorney for threatening a bar complaint against another lawyer.

The attorney ("SAB") had represented a couple who purported to be husband and wife. SAB settled a trade defamation claim for $10,000 and applied the proceeds to a debt owed to him by the husband. SAB later represented the husband in a divorce against the wife. The reprimanded attorney represented the wife.

The reprimanded attorney sent a letter to SAB raising the possibility of ethical violations and offering him a "window of opportunity" to make a settlement offer before filing a bar complaint and an action in state court. (Mike Frisch)