I Can't Believe It's a Law Firm! Or Can I?

From the Verdicts & Settlements page of today's Recorder (Legal Pad's sister publication), the case of Foster v. Coalinga jumped out at us.

The case itself didn't look interesting -- a burglary suspect suing the Coalinga Police Department for tasing him, "causing a 1-inch long laceration on his head during an arrest."

What screamed out from the text, though, was the name of one of the law firms representing the plaintiff: "Real Lawyers at Affordable Prices, Fresno."

What, did Lionel Hutz pass the California bar? No, Real Lawyers at Affordable Prices appears to be an actual law firm led by Eric Schweitzer, who was counsel on the case along with San Carlos attorney Bruce Nickerson.

We called Schweitzer a couple of times to find out more about his firm and how he chose its name, but he didn't respond. According to the firm's website (www.myreallawyers.com), the idea is to "Get yourself a Real Lawyer. One you can shake hands with before you sign anything."

We'd love a lawyer we could shake hands with, like Real Lawyer staffer Nancy Smith, a 2000 graduate of the prestigious Anystate University law school.

Maybe that part of the website is still under construction. The point is, "You need lawyers who are smart enough to know what to do and tough [enough] to fight for your freedom when you are charged with a crime. At Real Lawyers, we do just that, without wasting money on a fancy location, or expensive advertizing [sic]."

No word yet on whether Mr. Schweitzer's business card turns into a sponge when put in water.

[Update: Mr. Schweitzer has posted a comment below. We have corrected the case name accordingly.] 

[Further update: It appears myreallawyers.com is now under reconstruction.]

  -- Scott Graham

Comments

[Michael]

The "Staff" page at the website is... interesting. It curiously starts be referring to "Smith Jones and Associates," and features, Nancy Smith, who "earned her J.D. Degree from Anystate University in 1995," Greg Smith, who "received his J.D. degree from Northern Anystate School of Law," and Ben Franklin, an "associate partner" who "earned his J.D. degree from Western Anystate School of Law."

Definitely the attorneys I'd want at my back if I were in trouble.

[Anonymous Contract Lawyer]

Only the home page is "real." And with that photo I suspect he may be fake. The rest is, at best, lazy website development and at worst a violation of Professional Responsibility re advertising.

[Anthony]

I like how they are all members of "Anytown" Bar Associations.

[Pacific Reporter]

This guys firm is a total fraud! Look at the lawyers listed under "staff". They all have degrees from fake universities. Schweitzer is totally violating PR rules.

[Cal Law]

I don't believe it's intentional fraud. It appears Mr. Schweitzer's firm is using a commonly marketed web template for small law firms, but has only built out the home page so far. They really ought to "turn off" the ancillary pages though.

[Eric H. Schweitzer]

Yes, the Law Firm is Real. Obviously, we inadvertently allowed this website under construction to go online. We apologise for any inconvenience it may have caused those who couldn't intuit the obvious. (My degree is in law, not computers.)

I recently received one cryptic phone call regarding our Registered Trademark (Real Lawyers at Affordable Prices) name. Nobody advised me that the under construction website was being viewed. The ugly comments in your website were brought to my attention, and the problem is being handled.

So, best wishes to all. Ardent hopes that you will find more interesting things to write about in the near future. And, by the way, it was Foster v. City of Coalinga (Not Foster City, v. Coalinga, as you erroneously reported.).

I am proud to have been one of Mr. Foster's lawyers in that case. Sure, we lost. 9 out of 10 civil rights cases will go that way. But when the cops take a set on nunchackus to a man's head for riding his bicycle some three houses down from his home (and for refusing to follow orders I suppose), sombody has to speak up, lest this turn into the sort of a place where nobdy says anything.

Cordially,

/S/
Eric H. Schweitzer

[Affordable lawoffices]

There are various affordable law offices in united state of America. The aim of these law offices is to give specialized and skillful lawful support to their customers. All the lawyers charge very less fees from the clients and give the best services. The lawyers interact with the clients very respectfully.

http://www.lawyersindemand.com/