Bold choice by the Evansville Courier Press, picking Terry Record -who stands accused of getting drunk at a strip club before accidentally killing a guy- as one of their reader/columnists. They describe him only as:
Terry J. Record, an Evansville lawyer who has been active in conservative politics.
More recently, the Courier Press had an article on Record’s court case and elaborated a bit on his law practice in Evansville. “[H]e currently is practicing law in Evansville, doing pro bono representation for indigent clients in civil cases.”
At a site called elance.com, The Record Law Firm has the following promo:
As an attorney based in the Midwestern United States, The Record Law Firm combines world-class legal education, training, and experience with small town attention to your case. Whether your issue involves business formation, contract drafting, transaction negotiation, or more, your case will receive priority care with plain-speak explanation of all potential options and outcomes. Come and experience why Record Law is not just another legal resource, but stands with you in your cause as your premier legal adviser.
. . .
In the past I have served as an attorney representing the State of Indiana in countless state civil proceedings and county criminal prosecutions. Today, I bring this experience to private individuals and businesses seeking cost effective, simple solutions for complex problems.
Apparently Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky also made Record a Kentucky Colonel in 2006.
Check out the Indiana Roll of Attorneys. Considering that Mr. Record is likely to face some discipline from the Indiana Supreme Court, he might want to consider complying with Indiana Admission & Discipline Rule 2.
Hehe. Looks like Indiana Admission & Discipline Rule 2 requires an attorney to update the Supreme Court with their address within 30 days of a change. Record’s name in the roll of attorneys still lists an Indy address.
“Bold choice” by the Evansville Courier Press is one way to put it. “Bad choice” is another.
Man, I don’t envy this guy. Imagine putting in the years of work, then waking up and realizing that life as you thought it would be just isn’t going to be happening. Of course, the guy he hit doesn’t wake up at all. Just a sad case all around, and a waste of talent due to poor judgment in Mr. Record’s case.
But I’m wondering if he still doesn’t get it. His web ad reads like one for an attorney who will still be in practice two months from now. He told the judge he was doing pro bono work, in order to be allowed to work. Yet his web ad, referenced above, and his firm’s website at recordlaw.com only appear to be fishing for paying clients. They really read like ads for the ideal firm one would like to be trying to advertise for if one weren’t about to go to prison for a few years. It looks like maybe he’s still stuck at denial or bargaining, and certainly not to the acceptance stage yet.
I don’t know what to make of the “countless” state cases and procedings he’s referencing. Didn’t he get bounced out of both of his state jobs after weeks to months on the job?
I don’t agree with this guy’s politics, but his past accomplishments indicate he’s a bright guy. He’s still young. There’s no way he doesn’t feel a ton of remorse for his destructive actions. Likely his time in the criminal justice system will be transformative. But looking at his web page, and presuming he misrepresented (by omission)himself to his hometown newspaper, it looks he has a way to go yet.
In the meantime, if you’re hiring a lawyer via the internet, it might be wise to ask if that lawyer has any plans–like being incarcerated– that might happen prior to the conclusion of your case. Caveat emptor and whatnot.
I didn’t know much about the attorney’s case, but it does bring up the need for those within the legal profession to address issues of substance abuse and depression since all of the research points to people within the legal profession suffering from depression at levels greater than other professions.
Illinois and Indiana publicize their legal assistance programs for impaired attorneys in their various legal publications, as do other states. Maybe some good will come from the case if it gets someone to realize the drinking too much is a disease and seek professional treatment.
my opinion is that the plea deal he got was too weak. he was charged with OVWI/FB, OVWI/FC, Reckless Homicide/FC and OVWI/ FB. he plead to the C Felony and got 4 years total– 2 at DOC (with the benefit of 2-1 credit time– meaning he does only a year in jail from the day he pleads guilty) and 2 suspended. so he will be out of incarceration in 1 year from April of 2009. — maybe earlier if he behaves himself. after that his license is supended for 6 years. he owes $20K in resitution. dude was an ex-prosecutor for brizzi, worked on brizzi’s campaign and then killed a man after buying rounds for all of the stripper’s in the club notwithstanding the rounds he had himself. after killing the guy with his car– he made statements to the effect that the victim was in the wrong and that the victim owed him money for damaging his BMW.
what a prick. he’s lucky to only get 1 year total in the big house for all of this. his defense attorney did good work. and the judge who rubber stamped (approved) the plea ought to be ashamed for himself.