It was an ambush - Exit stage left

I am going to give you some unique insight into the attorney-client relationship of Friedman and Pepper, highlighting the role that citizen journalism can play in advocating for clients' rights. 

It was a complete inversion of power dynamics - an attorney who betrayed the cause and complaint of his client, a client who was unsophisticated with regard to jurisprudence and civil procedure, whom Friedman himself cast to be his enemy. 

One week prior to his departure from the law firm, where he was employed, Friedman scheduled a mediated settlement agreement conference that was, in fact, an ambush upon the client to compel a settlement. This was done so he could receive compensation for three and a half years of litigation before his departure, and not in the best interests of the client, whom he attempted to make an unwitting victim. 

The mediated settlement agreement was an absolute failure. The client was unprepared for mediation, entering without an expert witness, case theory, strategy, or leverage to negotiate with. Yet, the client departed with a personal victory, glorified while leaving the attorney standing in the conference room of the law firm, holding his motion to withdraw representation in one hand and his pride in the other. 

Below is the contents of an email I sent to Friedman post-mediation. It seems to be in striking contrast to the statement I made above, and indeed it is. My victory was that I would not be intimidated into accepting a nuisance value offer for my claim without fully understanding all of the case dynamics, which Friedman had failed to share with me. My contempt toward him developed after further consideration of what he attempted to do to me regarding my one opportunity for compensation after waiting patiently for three and a half years. 

At the time of writing this email, I was not hostile towards Friedman, even though he was hostile towards me. 

Listen to the language and my salutation. I stated to Friedman, now knowing of his departure, that he likened his journey to mine, as one being on the 'hero's journey.' At that moment, I didn't even care about the case anymore. I told him that his personal 'individuation' and 'self-actualization' were more important to me than his representation of my case. These were the sentiments of a man whom Friedman regarded as his enemy. 

June 30, 2023, 9:53 a.m. 

Dear Tony, 

Good morning..! The July Fourth celebration in downtown St. Louis is approaching, and I wondered if the suite that the Simon Law Firm occupies affords a good vantage point for the display. 

Regarding the business of Pepper v Gelfand, I demand to be present during the deposition of my expert witness. I require the date, place, and time of when the deposition is to be conducted. 

Concerning your departure from Simon Law Firm, I want you to know sincerely that 'your journey', your self-actualization, and perhaps even the realization of 'oneness' with Hashem, the 'oneness' that I enjoy, may be more important to me than your representation of my case. 

That said, can you please advise me of your departure date from Simon Law Firm and if a decision has been made as to who in the firm will take over my case for continued representation? 

Regarding the mediation, I found the process absolutely delightful and quite insightful. I found every aspect and the conduct of the participants remarkable. Were there any elements of the mediation that you found particularly noteworthy? If so, please let me know. 

Have a great weekend...!!! 

Sincerely, 

Albert Pepper 

The conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, is that the one I considered my guide, into whose hands I deposited my trust, became my very adversary. It was one of the most remarkable, unprovoked acts of betrayal I had ever experienced. 

May this testimony serve as an explanation and justification of my continual public advocacy, unabated, as a consumer advocate for clients in similar situations, particularly against Friedman and any attorneys who would exploit their clients' naivete. 

As for the attorney, my nemesis, who made himself my adversary, he cannot mount a credible deterrent that would prohibit me from my citizen journalism efforts. In fact, he tried on more than one occasion, even attempting to weaponize law enforcement against me; that too was a failure. All of it I experience in a state of repose, knowing that it is part of the 'hero's journey.'