Obama's lawyer days were effective but brief

[CONN]

Source: LA Times

In one instance, Obama defended a nonprofit corporation that owns low-income housing projects against a lawsuit in which a man alleged that he slipped and fell because of poor maintenance. Obama got the suit dismissed.

In another case, Obama appeared on behalf of a nonprofit corporation that provided healthcare for poor people. A woman who claimed income of less than $8,000 a year had sued Obama's client to obtain a $336 payment for baby-sitting services; Obama's client paid up, and the case was settled.

In 1994, Obama appeared in Cook County court on behalf of Woodlawn Preservation & Investment Corp., defending it against a suit by the city, which alleged that the company failed to provide heat for low-income tenants on the South Side during the winter.

Those were not the cases Obama highlighted in the self-portrait drawn in his first memoir, "Dreams From My Father."

"In my legal practice," he wrote, "I work mostly with churches and community groups, men and women who quietly build grocery stores and health clinics in the inner city, and housing for the poor."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-obamalegal6apr06,1,5511037.story

[sniffa]

1. That looks bad

or not.

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But the firm also handled routine legal matters and real estate. Obama spent about 70% of his time on voting rights, civil rights and employment, generally as a junior associate. The rest of his time was spent on matters related to real estate transactions, filing incorporation papers and defending clients against minor lawsuits.

...............

"He was doing the work that any first-year or second-year associate would do," Miner said. "In litigation, he was doing basic research and writing memos. . . . In the first couple years he would play a very minor role. He wouldn't know , so he would take the lead from whoever was supervising his work."

He did have some noteworthy cases. Among them, Obama filed a major 1995 suit that successfully forced Illinois to enforce the 1993 federal Motor Voter law, which sought to make it easier for people to register to vote.

Obama took what Miner called the "laboring oar" on some cases. He took the lead arguing a 1994 case before the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a securities trader who had been improperly fired. The court ruled for his client.
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See you in GDP.

[CONN]

2. perhaps...

The story gives the impression of a young lawyer just trying make a buck.

[sniffa]

3. And perhaps

Your attempt to get this passed off as LBN, failed.

[CONN]

4. Hmmmm.

Currently, the story is featured on the LA Times home page.
2nd most viewed story on th LA Times on-line

It qualifies as LBN: 1. Do not post news that is more than 12 hours old., etc...

Hope I didn't upset you with where I posted this story. Sorry if the contents of the story upset you.

[sniffa]

5. Sorry if you think the contents upset me

Sorry

[last1standing]

6. When your candidate has defended accused rapists it's best not to bring this stuff up.

On the chance that someone on the internets remembers that your candidate has a longer career of defending less than honorable clients.

However, just like Clinton's defense of an accused rapist, Obama's conduct in all of these cases was not only ethical but honorable. These two are lawyers, at some point they've actually practiced law. Are you saying that we should be ashamed of that?

Or are you just trying to score cheap points in some imaginary game?

[CONN]

8. My candidate?

Is certainly not Hillary Clinton (I still haven't gotten over the Iraq War vote). I was quite keen on Kucinich. Didn't pay too much attention to Edwards until it's too late. Now I struggle. But the reaction from BO supports like you doesn’t help. Frankly it is a turn off.

I read the LA Times story this morning and didn't know what to make of it and threw it out on DU hoping to get some thoughtful (or cynical) feedback.

I’ve decided that one really need more information on these cases the LA Times raised to make any judgment. So what was the purpose of the LA Times story? It seemed a bit negative.

[last1standing]

9. If you really want a serious conversation about this I'm happy to oblige.

This was an obvious hit piece as one can see by the framing of the headline. It could have read brief but effective, instead put the emphasis on "brief" in the hopes of focusing on the idea that he has little experience. Then by spotlighting a few cases that can be made to sound pro-corporate (even though two cases were for non-profits) they suggest that he was nothing more than another heartless corporate lawyer, which is obviously not true. The LA Times has become known for this kind of yellow journalism. They like to create smoke then scream "FIRE!"

Also, when posting in GD: P, it's probably best to state your intentions in the O/P as this is a highly charged atmosphere. When you post a thread like this it will almost always be taken that you are supporting the other candidate as it is a common ploy of both sides.

[depakid]

12. How is this a hit piece?

Looks to me like it's just a short expose on his experiences practicing law.

[last1standing]

14. Would you honestly say the same thing if this were about Clinton?

Honestly?

[CONN]

13. Thanks

Also just as an FYI, I did not post this in GDP -- it was moved here by a moderator.

I honestly think I would pass on the election if there wasn't so much at stake. I assume I will be voting for either BO or HRC.

[last1standing]

15. That would explain the disconnect.

I hope that assumption turns into a surety. :)

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

7. Plop!

[rzemanfl]

10. Better than mine, which were ineffective and long. n/t

[depakid]

11. Doesn't say whether he ever took a case to trial...

That's pretty much the defining moment of a litigator.