And now, on to the attorneys we'd avoid.

MARIE BACKES
Marie was asked who authored her blog, primarily due to inaccuracies. Some attorneys hire firms to write them as part of their marketing budget. Marie didn't answer our question. Instead she asked who we were. We answered and repeated our question. Which Marie continued to duck. She did say we needed to develop a trust with us, first. (Yes, it seemed odd to us, too.) Marie asked us to forward the inaccuracies. We declined as that's not our job. However, absent Marie Backes' past state bar issues, she doesn't do her homework. Marie Backes was dinged by the State Bar for billing attorney fees for paralegal work. Marie's response? Ms. Backes claimed she thought paralegal was an attorney. Backes, apparently, didn't check it out. In addition to sloppy work habits, we found Marie Backes'conduct to be extremely well - odd.

MARK BARBER
Barber is a case study of parental alienation. He became fast friends with the felonious Ron Lais, currently incarcerated for the unauthorized practice of law. Barber utilized Lais to harass his former wife.

As with most unscrupulous types, Barber knew in family court; Perjury is seldom prosecuted. No need to worry about oversight - there is none.

Only now are judges beginning to conclude this might be a problem.

Also, alienating parents such as Barber frequently have the economic resources to hire the "experts" and presents better than the parent outraged by judicial indifference to repeated documentation of abuse from independent sources.

Barber is merely Exhibit A. For the rest of the attorneys Begin Scrolling.

Barber's actions were typical of an alienating parent, protected by a San Diego bench. Although all documentation from police reports, (stemming from neighbors hearing the child scream in pain), teachers the child confided in, and therapists whom Barber consulted and who claim he "expressed remorse" for hurting the child.

But the abuse continued.

Why is San Diego a Haven for abusive and criminal attorneys?

Until recently San Diego's well established culture of corruption was seldom examined or addressed in a meaningful way.

From Richard Candor, who pleaded guilty of sexually molesting all five of his daughters, and then attempted to have the record sealed, to former mayors and political operatives from both parties, simply pleading guilty and expunging the record. Felonies are routinely downgraded to misdemeanors, and then dismissed.

But San Diego Judges are complicit. In the abuse case of Barber officials repeatedly ignored mother and daughter's pleas for help, and refused to enforce restraining order obtained against Barber. Judges protected Barber's perjury at every turn, eventually punishing mother for repeatedly insisting they act in the child's best interests.

This as it turns out, is also routine.

At the time mother had no idea the lengths judges would go to protect an abusive attorney.

This is typical and what frustrates parents of both sexes. In some cases the judges are guilty of facilitating the abuse.

However, from an economic standpoint, this behavior makes sense. It drives home the point: it's not about the "best interests of the child." It's about the industry. As such "oversight" is but a concept, it is not a reality.

Mark Barber actions demonstrate how alienation is put into practice. First legally isolate the child from the protective parent: (as pointed out "Breaking the Silence" the recent PBS documentary); then rewrite history, by brainwashing the child. Parental Alienation is much like the Stockholm Syndrome, except on the home front. History has been re-written to such a degree, child now says she was never hurt. Police photographs of her bruising, declarations made by teachers, attempts to prosecute by police officials in Northern California, (hence his move to Southern California),demonstrate otherwise.

parental alienation means boom times for the legal community.

No amount of time and expense is spared to prove claims for or against the existence of parental alienation. However, and assuming one even draws a judge with a clue about parental alienation, (not likely) defense tactics remain: Spend a fortune on "experts" and argue about whether it exists or not, thus no time is spent examining the behaviors of the abusive parent. Add to the mix that judges don't want to talk to children, who frequently want to talk to them, and what you have is no access to justice for children. Children don't realize Judges who talk to children, don't need to speak to Guardian Ad Litems, and judges like to churn fees.

Attorneys who play the game, (generate income) rather than advocate for their clients, are listed below. But San Diego, much like other cities, operates per the Golden Rule. He who has the gold, rules. Likewise, it should come as a surprise to no one, the State Bar and Judges generally protect abusive attorneys, in other counties. See Marshall Krause. Barber also used the same, evaluator and Guardian Ad Litem, Sandra Acevedo, in his case.

That Barber is a violent man is on record. First from his failed attempt at suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. That he might also be a sociopath was revealed after he contacted the notorious, Ron Lais, and knowingly, supplied Lais with information he knew was false, and previously discounted to attack others. Barber was able to use Lais for his own means until Lais was lead away in handcuffs.

(Lais is currently residing in prison, for the unauthorized practice of law.)

In fact, until just recently, perjury in San Diego seemed to be the preferred method of communication. (This appears to be nation wide. Call any DA's office and ask them how many perjury prosecutions are done each year.)

Attorneys who know how to manipulate the courts, also know how easy it is to brainwash a child. Unfortunately, the courts seldom address child abuse when it's the attorneys who are the criminals, opting for, Denial, instead.

CHARLENE BARON
Doesn't believe in Joint Custody; and reportedly, won't listen to her clients, even if they're thirteen years old. The result? Either way, she gets paid, but someone loses.

MARILYN BIERER
A custody case where disbarred attorney, Russell Ward, who did federal time in Nellis Federal Prison, enjoying visitation rights every other weekend with his kids. Mother, not a felon, lost custody to Russell's mother, represented by Bill Blatchley, in front of nut case Joan Lewis. Attorney for the children? First, Marilyn Bierer, now Margo Lewis. Bierer worked in the same office as Russell Ward's criminal attorney. Mom was a prosecution witness. Guess they showed her. Lewis sealed the file, keeping court records secret from the public, as well as one of the parties; namely Mother. File sealed to protect Russell, who, apparently, has more ties to former judges, served time, due to their convictions for bribery. Case No. 463896.

NICOLA BLAIR
Resigned, with charges Pending does not mean arrest and trial. The statute of limitations could run before the DA makes up his mind.

RONALD BRADLEY
Disbarred after an Ohio conviction for theft.

RICHARD CANDOR
Plead no-contest to charges of child molesting. We don't know if he has to register as a sex offender. Successfully requested the court depublish the proceeding that exposed him. For more on Candor and the case, click to The Sleazeball Express.

THOMAS M. CONNELLY
For a picture of Thomas Connelly, check Megan's Law.

BRUCE COZART
This attorney instructed child support checks to be sent to him, over his client, Lisa Golden's, strenuous objections. Golden later took Cozart to court over his billing practices. (Cozart billed Golden charges to pick up the very checks she objected to his receiving in the first place. He first denied doing so, but squirmed mightily when Golden produced letterhead stationary from his office to, "pick up your child support.") Golden also produced the invoice charging her for this.
And where was Judge Lewis during all this? Busy also ignoring the opinion of medical professionals the child's mother produced.

TERRY CHUCAS
Chucas is both lazy and unprofessional. Unfortunately, he's also on the list for Guardian Ad Litems, and a judicial pet; so his laziness is rewarded. He claims to know nothing about parental alienation. Believe him.

JEFF FRITZ...Successfully Sued for Refusing to Settle a Case!
Attorneys complain, but secretly like his jack-it-up, fee tactics. The good news is, one couple successfully sued him for refusing to settle their case.
We suggest a pre-emptive strike. Schedule a, one-time meeting, and leave without signing his retainer agreement. Then hire someone ethical. This one time visit knocks out the opportunity for the other side to hire him. For more on Fritz, see, Cockroach in a suit

JUDY DIGENNARO
Thinks Susan Griffin is, "professional." Been friends for twenty years. That pretty well says it all.

THOMAS GRIMES
Escaping an abusive spouse but used to being abused? Hire Thomas Grimes watch as his face almost explodes when he becomes angry.

JUDITH KLEIN
Child abusers hire this woman to defend their right to abuse.

SANDRA KEITHLY
Highly critical Guardian Ad Litem, known to make statements Opposite what teenagers, who are old enough to know, tell her.

KANDY KOLIWER
Redefines lazy. With no legal skills on which to rely, Koliwer redefines manipulative behavior. A favorite of Commissioner Clements, we recommend appealing any order appointing her as Guardian Ad Litem. Her failure to include evaluation report that showed physical abuse, and siding with the abuser leads us to question her fitness to parent.

LEE LAWLESS
Another, problematic, minor's counsel type. Lawless supposedly represented Joyce Murphy's daughter. Avoid like the plague unless you're partial to no communication and high bills. Thanks in part to Lawless, the child suffered for years.

DANIEL LARKIN
Ask him for a copy of his public record of discipline.

PETER J. LONGANBACH
If we told you, you wouldn't believe it; so here's the report from the, State Bar

STEVEN LISS
On July 20, 2009, LISS was arrested in a murder for hire plot, to kill his wife. People might wonder why for a divorce attorney, "Divorce" didn't seem to be an option. However, judging from the Family Court litigants who have written this site, our guess is simple. We feel Liss knows he's not very good in his chosen field. Most people are aware this guy is bad news. State Bar or DA concerns for his clients, though? Not so much. How long has the DA allowed Steven Liss to rip off people? A long time. Not as long as Ron Lais but long enough.

WENDY McGHEE
McGhee's wit has worked well with bar officials. But they have noticed a pattern of troubling behavior.

STEVE MEDEARIS
Think gamesmanship.

PETER MUELLER:
Documents in our possession suggest Mr. Mueller's primary talent is infusing his bank account. As of August 31st, 2001, the State Bar privately reproved Mr. Mueller for his conduct. The State Bar claims they are requiring him to comply with certain conditions designed to prevent future occurrences of the type initially complained of, but it remains Unknown whether Mueller cooperated with the investigation, or with the conditions mandated by the State Bar. Our guess is no. Documents in our possession indicate he also worked with the infamous felon, Ron Lais. (See the "Naming Names" section.)

MARCIA ORENSTEIN
Marica as a Guardian Ad Litem, should be avoided at all costs. She separated siblings, and hid her knowledge of sexual molestation of one child in an incident that occurred at the home of a San Diego police officer while the child was in his care. The attorney she worked with? Jeff Fritz.

JANICE POHL
A complete nightmare.

RICHARD G. PRANTIL
Ask him for a copy of his public record of discipline. Prantil substituted in to a divorce case after the dissolution was complete. At the time the judgment was entered, the wife's claim for interest in the couple's property was to be released. Almost four years later, Prantil demanded and received $10,000 from a title company for the release of the claim, without his client's knowledge. He filed a false and misleading document with the court, committing an act of moral turpitude.

DANIEL SCHULMAN
Gossipy. As a Guardian Ad Litem, we've received complaints he favors the ecomonically Superior parent, rather than the best interests of the child.

NANCY STASSINOPOULOS
Very plugged into the Real Solutions game. Avoid.

SHARON SHERMAN
Ms. Sherman's earned her reputation of taking representation to new lows. In one instance, and in contempt of court orders not to, contact employers of individuals she does not represent, with negative information about them.

JANICE STOCKS
Jan Stocks does not suffer from an over-supply of ethics. She represents the wife in this arrest. Also, we have received complaints about her lack of professionalism from her unhappy clients. But we feel it's their own fault. Why would anyone hire an attorney that's a Board member of Hannah's House, aka: Real Solutions? The county's assessment was Real Solutions was unsanitary and unsafe for children. San Diego Magazine discovered Director, Susan Griffin, faked her credentials. For the first three and a half months of 2005, the Secretary of State suspended the license of Hannah's House. Our investigation reveals, neither Griffin, nor anyone at the Family Justice Center, alerted the courts or those parents ordered to use their facility. Jan Stocks, like Susan Griffin, attend to profits. One client of Stocks objected to Stocks use of her daughter, and when the client complained about the daughter's work, not realizing the woman was Stocks daughter; Stocks did not receive the complaint well at all.

LORI VIVIANO
We won't comment on Vivano's legal expertise, (or her current malpractice suit), except to say if she practices law as poorly as she practices protecting client privacy, and basic manners; we suggest taking a pass on her as counsel. Prior to court, Viviano prattles on in a sort of, chirpy juvenile, girly-gushy theatrical kind of way; but, seconds later, in a move rivaling the neck twisting skills of Linda Blair, bars her fangs, and hisses insults when asked to take her noisy, private conversations with other counsel, outside the ears of those sitting inches away, who don't want to be trapped in Viviano's kind of theater.

RUSSELL WARD
Russell's prison has finished. But the State Bar keeps notes. Gotcha.

BARBARA JEAN WEISER
Previously disciplined in 1997, she has associated herself with the notorious Richard Ducote and should be avoided.

ELSIE JOAN WHITE
Another....it took awhile, but Disbarred

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