04-26-2012, 04:05 AM
(04-25-2012, 03:40 AM)Herbert Spencer Wrote: But then Dolphin found a real lawyer, Larry D. Walls of Beverly Hills.... Unfortunately it looks like Walls is a former LA County DA who only recently jumped back into private practice.... It appears he might not be entirely up to speed on civil law and motion practice in the federal courts.
Some interesting comments about Walls in this 1997 case. Among other things, it states he is "an African-American" and formerly worked on the Hardcore Gang prosecution unit. I certainly can see why Dolphin might have thought that the latter qualified Walls to deal with devious dirtbags like Contreras and Gollin.
However, the discussion in that case suggests that although Walls has good trial skills, he has been found lacking in other areas. These include "his inability to handle the caseload," "less than exceptionally well qualified in work ethics" and "only wanted to try cases he was certain of winning."
Showing up in federal civil court with a lawyer who only practiced criminal law in state courts is a good way to lose, as Dr. Dolphin is learning. That you lost with a lawyer of the same race as you seems like small comfort.
Of course, you can't really blame Dolphin for settling for the best he can afford. The system isn't exactly designed for low budget projects. Glad to see he's still soldiering on. Now that he's gotten a feel for how the battle gets fought he might step up his game a little. Let's hope the three-knockdown rule is not in effect.