A Milestone

This blog began in September 2006.

At the time, my interest was primarily in shedding light on bar discipline and advocating for transparency in the processes. 

Fortunately, or not, the sometimes unbelievable things that lawyers do brought us some attention. I’ve been told that the blog is like a car wreck in that it’s hard to look away.

We were honored by be part of the inaugural class of the ABA Journal Blawg Hall of Fame.

The ABA Journal has been a major factor in our growth by often crediting us for bringing a story to their attention and linking to our coverage.

Many thanks.

While I’m never sure what to make of the Statcounter feature of the web page, it tells us that we are about to cross the five million mark for “page views.”

Wow.

I must say I’ve learned some things in nearly 15 years of blogging.

First, I try not to humiliate a sanctioned lawyer or make light of their situation. My alleged sense of humor (particularly in the captions) sometimes runs counter to this desire .

Second, I try to think and reflect about what I am doing and saying before I hit “post.”

There are many times that I decide not to draw attention to a situation that would only come to light because it is reported here.  Inflicting unnecessary misery for a few hits is a bad bargain.

Third , I have learned more about defamation law and section 230 than I ever cared to know.

I am eternally grateful to Ropes & Gray and Matthew Rizzolo for their superb and successful  pro bono defense of my First Amendment rights.

As you might imagine, lawyers in trouble do not as a rule appreciate the publicity. One of the worst aspects of the blog has been the frequent harassment that comes as a result.

My feelings in that regard are best expressed by Mink Stole as Connie Marble at the conclusion of rejecting job applicant Sandy Sandstone in the movie Pink Flamingos.

Thanks in particular to Alan Childress, who brought me into this project and has been a loyal friend.

Our Kismet was Hurricane Katrina, which  brought Alan to D.C. as a visitor from Tulane.

I do not think you will see me blogging for another 15 years but I do deeply appreciate the readership we have acquired, the friends we have made and the opportunity the blog has provided to allow me to have a small voice in the Court of Public Opinion. 

Mike Frisch