Predatory Lawyer Evades Disbarment (but should he have been disbarred?)

Summary

In this video, attorney Tony DeWitt discusses the troubling case of 86-year-old lawyer Dan Purdy, who faced allegations of inappropriate conduct towards female clients. Following an investigation by the Chief Disciplinary Council, Purdy was indefinitely suspended from practicing law due to multiple violations of professional conduct rules. DeWitt critiques the court's decision to suspend rather than disbar Purdy, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable clients and the integrity of the legal profession. He raises questions about the potential for Purdy's past misconduct and urges victims of exploitation to report such abuses to prevent further harm.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tony DeWitt, a Missouri appellate attorney, discusses a case involving 86-year-old lawyer Dan Purdy.
• 😲 Dan Purdy was found to have engaged in inappropriate touching of clients, leading to disciplinary actions.
• 🔍 An investigation was initiated by the Vernon County Sheriff after reports from four female clients.
• ⚖️ The disciplinary hearing panel initially recommended disbarment for Purdy, but he contested it.
• ⏳ As of now, Purdy has been suspended indefinitely since December 2021, unable to apply for reinstatement for at least 12 months.
• 📹 Video evidence confirmed multiple violations of professional conduct by Purdy.
• 📜 The court found Purdy violated rules related to conflict of interest and prejudicial conduct.
• 🤔 The dissenting opinion from Judge Fisher argued that Purdy should be disbarred due to the severity of his misconduct.
• 🚨 DeWitt emphasizes the importance of reporting exploitation by those in authority, especially in vulnerable situations.
• 🔗 The case raises questions about the adequacy of the legal system in handling cases of attorney misconduct.

Q & A

Who is Tony DeWitt and what is his profession?

Tony DeWitt is a Missouri appellate attorney known for explaining legal concepts on his YouTube channel.

What prompted Tony DeWitt to create a video about Dan Purdy?

Tony DeWitt received information from a listener, Ken, about the case involving Dan Purdy, which he found compelling enough to discuss in a video.

What were the allegations against Dan Purdy?

Dan Purdy was accused of inappropriate touching of clients, which was considered to be assault.

What was the outcome of the disciplinary hearing for Dan Purdy?

The disciplinary hearing panel recommended disbarment for Dan Purdy, but he contested it and the Missouri Supreme Court ultimately suspended him indefinitely, allowing him to apply for reinstatement after one year.

What specific rules of professional conduct did Dan Purdy violate?

Purdy violated rules regarding concurrent conflicts of interest and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

How did the Missouri Supreme Court justify its decision on Purdy's suspension?

The court emphasized that the purpose of discipline is to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal profession, not to punish the attorney.

What mitigating factors were considered in Purdy's case?

The only mitigating factor mentioned was Purdy's admission of wrongdoing, although this was largely undermined by the video evidence of his misconduct.

What dissenting opinion was expressed regarding Purdy's punishment?

Judge Fisher dissented, arguing that Purdy's conduct warranted disbarment due to its egregious nature, highlighting that age, race, or gender should not influence disciplinary decisions.

What does Tony DeWitt suggest victims of exploitation should do?

DeWitt urges victims to report any misconduct to authorities to prevent further exploitation and protect others from similar situations.

Why does Tony DeWitt believe the criminal law should have been involved in Purdy's case?

He expressed disbelief that Purdy was not charged criminally given the clear evidence of his inappropriate conduct, suggesting that such cases should be taken seriously by law enforcement.