ATL Practice Pointers: If You Want a BJ From Your Client, Put It in the Retention Letter
This next story is not new; it was reported last year by CBS. But we have an update to bring you, via YouTube, which is why we're revisiting it.
For those of you who missed it, here's a quick recap:
[A] woman was referred to a lawyer to represent her in a car accident case. But what she experienced in the meetings with that 72-year-old attorney later led her to file a formal criminal complaint with the NYPD....The 47-year old woman -- who has asked CBS 2 not to reveal her identity -- claims that during her initial visit to lawyer Allen Isaac, he asked her for oral sex as part of his fee for taking her personal injury case.
"He said I'm going to want oral sex from you. I'm going to want it twice before the case begins, then I'm going to want it every week after if I get you a very good result," she said.
Now that's what we call a "success fee."
More discussion, plus the recently uploaded YouTube clip, after the jump.
Still from the CBS piece:
The following is an exchange [that the woman secretly recorded] about his request for oral sex:Man: "Something special, 30 seconds of pleasure. Thirty seconds a big deal?"
Woman: "You're not my boyfriend. We've never gone out."
Man: "So? So?"
Woman: "And you're my lawyer, representing me on my case."
Man: "And I never went out with you either. "
Later in the meeting, the woman says she felt intimidated by Isaac:
Man: "What did I ask you for a simple what?"
Woman: "A blow job."
Man: "And I get this speech. Am I going to get it?"
Pretty incredible, right? But the woman appears to have evidentiary support for her claims. Listen to this audio clip, which was recently posted to YouTube (embed below). The male speaker sounds like, well, a dirty old man. But it's kinda hard not to, when you're (1) 72 years old and (2) asking your client to go down on you.
The phrase "thirty seconds of pleasure" recurs throughout the exchange. In our view, that seems to be on the short side. A BJ that fleeting would be nothing to write home about. It certainly wouldn't set off any car alarms, would it?
30 Seconds of Pleasure [YouTube]
Caught On Tape: Attorney Demands Sexual Favors [wcbstv.com]
Comments
Is this unethical, or not unethical because it wasn't a matrimonial litigation?
I don't know how I passed the MPRE.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 01:09 PM
Now here's a place for Loyala 2L to apply...I'm sure the addition of "giving awesome BJ's" to the "interests and skills" section of L2L's resume would earn a callback from the Mr. Casanova, Esq.
Posted by: JT | December 7, 2007 01:11 PM
disbar him
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 01:12 PM
What makes this all the more awesome is that he makes it out to seem as though the woman should feel honored that he asked her for a BJ. Classic!
Posted by: anon | December 7, 2007 01:14 PM
Exactly. He says that when he propositioned her, her response should have been, "Of course! Of course!"
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 01:18 PM
Lat we need an update on the disciplinary proceedings against this guy.
Posted by: he's a creep | December 7, 2007 01:20 PM
NY to 30-Second BJs!
Posted by: Anon. | December 7, 2007 01:20 PM
What, there's something wrong with this exchange?
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 01:28 PM
Is that really her number? If so I may give her a call. 47?
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 01:29 PM
I would have asked her for a blumpkin.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=blumpkin
Seriously, why not take care of both the same time!
Posted by: El Dookie | December 7, 2007 01:34 PM
the law and court decisions are all based on a series of blowjobs. everyone knows that.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 01:40 PM
For 47, she looks pretty damn good. I don't know if I'd risk my law license for a hummer, but she'd get it.
Posted by: I'm Just Saying | December 7, 2007 01:43 PM
Unbelieveable!
Posted by: Anon | December 7, 2007 01:44 PM
Why not just get the real deal and ask for a little horizontal action
Posted by: El Dookie | December 7, 2007 01:54 PM
Did he ever provide a specific definition of "very good result"?
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 01:55 PM
You can tell from the way he was asking, that he's been getting BJ fees for a long time. That's very prestigious!
Posted by: PrestigeHo | December 7, 2007 02:01 PM
"What and I get this speech?"
sounds like me and my girlfriend...
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:01 PM
1:54: The dude is over 70, he's learned through experience that it's the end results that matter. Why put all that effort in the horizontal hoola, when he can just get a nice BJ. It's a win win for every body.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:02 PM
It's all about the affection...and appreciation.
Posted by: Dude | December 7, 2007 02:06 PM
Wow. He totally needs to be disbarred.
But she is pretty darn good looking for a 47 year old.
Posted by: I'm Just Saying Too | December 7, 2007 02:09 PM
they changed the name already:
http://www.gladsteinlaw.com/
Posted by: his firm | December 7, 2007 02:12 PM
2:09
You and Lat need to stop sharing the same beer googles when looking at women.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:12 PM
http://wcbstv.com/investigates/Manhattan.District.Attorney.2.233340.html
Posted by: old news | December 7, 2007 02:15 PM
2:09 - he's no longer part of the firm...he's even been taken down off their site.
this guy needs to be DISBARRED!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:15 PM
More fun + pic of the creepy old dude at http://wcbstv.com/investigates/Manhattan.District.Attorney.2.233340.html
Isaac's behavior in general was known to some within the office. She's a 24-year-old law student who recently interned at the firm. She says the secretaries knew all about Allen Isaac and told her to steer clear of him.
"I do find it a little bit upsetting that they felt the need to warn me, rather than warn him," she said.
Isaac's former partners say they were unaware of inappropriate behavior toward the intern or any other woman in the office.
The intern explained that she felt uncomfortable around Isaac because he was "touchy feely," though never overtly sexual.
She said, "Touchy feely would be placing his hand on my shoulder, putting his hand on my back when he would call me in to go over something on his desk. I would try to leave his office as quickly as possible whenever I could."
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:16 PM
WTF? This dude is genuinely outraged that she didn't give him "30 seconds of pleasure." Notice at the end he was still trying to get her to come around. Gotta give him credit for perseverance. Move over Abraham Lincoln, this guy is my new personal hero.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:16 PM
My question is how much pleasure can you really get in 30 seconds? I mean, does his pleasure come from the mere fact that he actually got this woman to polish the pole or does it literally take him 30 seconds to pop his top?
Posted by: I want answers | December 7, 2007 02:20 PM
This guy is going to learn about AMERICAN JUSTICE! school of law pretty soon.
She should have been honored by the request to suck his shriveled cocktail weiner.
Posted by: Of course! Of course! | December 7, 2007 02:23 PM
He's definitely a Pirate. Ninja's never have to ask because all the ladies beg us.
Posted by: Ninja's never have to ask | December 7, 2007 02:24 PM
Why is she laughing when she repeats what he said? Is she really embarassed and upset?
The guy's voice sounds familiar: Tom Brokov?
"What I've done is absolutely wrong . . . "
"You obviously think I'm a prick, or some kind of a nut job."
Anybody have statistics on how often this works?
I think an empiracal study is an order: How often are BJs given in lieu of a retainer?
Posted by: Huh? | December 7, 2007 02:25 PM
What about a BJ with a retainer?
Posted by: Question | December 7, 2007 02:28 PM
2:12,
I think you're the one with the vision problems. As was stated, FOR A 47 YEAR OLD, she looks pretty good. I suppose you're one of those blonde anorexic lovers. This chick would get it.
Posted by: I'm Still Saying | December 7, 2007 02:29 PM
Poor guy - probably had already taken his blue pills and had one of those four hour erections we keep hearing about.
re 30 seconds - well, if you do it right...
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:29 PM
What is with the Lewinsky photo -- not even relevant (client to attorney)? At least have a hot porn star, or a anatomically correct drawing... geez
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:33 PM
What is with the Lewinsky photo -- not even relevant (client to attorney)? At least have a hot porn star, or a anatomically correct drawing... geez
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 02:35 PM
Took me longer than 30 seconds to eat the delicious Foley cookies...
Posted by: Anonymous Foley Guy #1 | December 7, 2007 02:35 PM
I could finish any man in 30 seconds or less... and pay many of my legal bills this way. Along with groceries, insurance, mortgage...
Posted by: Jenna James | December 7, 2007 02:36 PM
Took me longer than 30 seconds to eat the delicious Foley cookies...
Posted by: Anonymous Foley Guy #1 | December 7, 2007 02:38 PM
He should have taken her to Jason's Deli.
Posted by: Head. Hunter. | December 7, 2007 03:24 PM
Ninja please!
Posted by: Jajaja | December 7, 2007 03:36 PM
Why did he not get the real deal? He probably has a bad hip.
I can't figure out if he should be disbarred or teach trial advocacy, I counted at least three very effective devices. Defending the indefensible is the ultimate test of advocacy, it's like the legal Kobiyashi Maru.
Posted by: Dr. Obvious | December 7, 2007 03:55 PM
Why did he not get the real deal? He probably has a bad hip.
I can't figure out if he should be disbarred or teach trial advocacy, I counted at least three very effective devices. Defending the indefensible is the ultimate test of advocacy, it's like the legal Kobiyashi Maru.
Posted by: Dr. Obvious | December 7, 2007 03:57 PM
Promote him.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 04:34 PM
I have a client giving me a bj while I type this.
Posted by: Peter North, Esq. | December 7, 2007 06:29 PM
wait......is this sort of behavior frowned upon?
Posted by: anon | December 7, 2007 07:07 PM
OK, this guy was truly scummy, no question about it. But what's with the woman posting her photo and phone number? Sounds like she is trolling for representation.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 07:09 PM
I always insist that my clients remove their retainers before blowing me.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2007 09:16 PM
NY to $190K + BJ
Imagine if Cravath's new bonus structure included this type of "special" bonus - I think their recruiting dept would be flooded with resumes!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 8, 2007 09:55 AM
Is it just me, or does this guy sound EXACTLY like Rudy Giuliani?
Posted by: Anonymous | December 8, 2007 10:11 PM
i think i just threw up in my mouth...
Posted by: Anonymous | December 9, 2007 01:41 PM
SLEEZY!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 9, 2007 03:49 PM
Has anyone truly listened to this video...He admits to sexually assaulting her..WAKE UP YOU IDIOTS..AND SMELL THE COFFEE
Posted by: SHOCKED | January 9, 2008 04:41 PM
Has anyone truly listened to this video...He admits to sexually assaulting her..WAKE UP YOU IDIOTS..AND SMELL THE COFFEE
Posted by: SHOCKED | January 9, 2008 04:43 PM
I hope this lawyer is in Jail for Sexual abuse and has been stripped of his law license. I woud not want my mother, or daughter near a perv like that.
Posted by: PERVERT OF THE YEAR | January 9, 2008 05:01 PM
I hope this lawyer is in Jail for Sexual abuse and has been stripped of his law license. I woud not want my mother, or daughter near a perv like that.
Posted by: PERVERT OF THE YEAR | January 9, 2008 05:01 PM
I hope this lawyer is in Jail for Sexual abuse and has been stripped of his law license. I woud not want my mother, or daughter near a perv like that.
Posted by: PERVERT OF THE YEAR | January 9, 2008 05:03 PM
I hope this lawyer is in Jail for Sexual abuse and has been stripped of his law license. I woud not want my mother, or daughter near a perv like that.
Posted by: ISAAC IS THE PERVERT OF THE YEAR | January 9, 2008 05:04 PM
I hope this lawyer is in Jail for Sexual abuse and has been stripped of his law license. I woud not want my mother, or daughter near a perv like that.
Posted by: ISAAC IS THE PERVERT OF THE YEAR | January 9, 2008 05:05 PM
I hope this lawyer is behind bars, he clearly admits to sexually assaulting her. Hey, isn't extortion a federal crime?
Posted by: outraged | January 12, 2008 10:15 AM