Stike Force Committee Guidelines: 

 

The Strike Force Committee is available to help members of the association who are under attack because of their representation of a client in a criminal case.  Problems that the committee has helped lawyers within the past have included:

1) Contempt citations and threatened contempt citations;

2) Government motions to disqualify the defendant’s attorney in a criminal case;

3) Grand Jury and Trial Subpoenas directed to a member of the association or their staff or investigator;

4) Bar complaints; and

5) Lawyers threatened with arrest or arrested for advice they have given their client or for actions they have taken in the course of representing a client.

The committee in the past has declined to represent members accused of fraud and theft.  The committee has also declined to represent members in Bar complaints when the attorney is accused of mishandling escrow funds or abandoning clients.  On a case by case basis, the committee has declined representation in some contempt cases when there was clear and unprovoked misconduct by the attorney.

The members of the Strike Force Committee represent members of the association for free.  If any costs such as travel, transcripts, etc. are involved, the member is expected to pay those costs.

Presumption of confidentiality: There shall be a presumption that an attorney seeking assistance wishes to have her or his identity remain confidential.  Such information will be restricted to the chairs of the Strike Force Committee, the cooperating attorney assigned to the matter, and such officer or directors of the association as are necessary to secure special authorizations.

All persons who receive such information shall maintain the confidentiality of the identity of the attorney applying for assistance.  An attorney applying for assistance will be asked if he or she wishes that the matter remain confidential.  If waived, the identity of the applicant may be circulated as the chairs deems appropriate.

The confidential nature of the representation shall not limit the reporting of the nature of the matter, venue, and the outcome.

If you have a Strike Force problem, call committee chairman Alex Susor [(404) 877-8760] or Mazie Lynn Guertin [(404) 414-7747].  They will make sure that a member of the committee contacts you by phone immediately to consult with you.  If it is determined that more than a telephone conversation is necessary, i.e. actually appearing in court or calling a judge or prosecutor on your behalf, then a member of the committee who is available to appear on your behalf will be located.  In addition to calling Alex or Mazie Lynn, please complete the intake form below or submit by email (to Alex or Mazie Lynn) the PDF form listed on this web page. Click here for the form.

Experience has taught us that a lot of Strike Froce problems could have been handled more effectively if the lawyer under attack had contacted the Strike Force Committee sooner.  It does not hurt to notify the Strike Force Committee when you begin to smell trouble headed your way. Although GACDL will always try to help our members, we cannot guarantee Monday representation if a member does not contact the Strike Force until the previous Friday.  Some general advice and forethought may be able to help you avoid a confrontation all together.

The Strike Force Committee exists to help you.  Feel free to call on your fellow members.