[blindlaw] US Cases Concerning Blind Lawyers

[Gerard Sadlier]

Hi Bill

Thanks for your e-mail and indeed your experiences.

It's even more general than that I'm afraid.

I'm interested in any and all cases in which a blind lawyer is a
party, or in which some aspect of their conduct as lawyer is
addressed.

There are no such cases in my jurisdiction.

I think it would be worthwhile examining what authorities are there.

In that way, I will be able to demonstrate that I have directed my
mind to any issues which arise, should anything I may do ever be
called into question.

If anyone with whom I am dealing has a question or an issue (either
genuine, or designed to be bloody minded), it would also be good to
have something in the can ready to send them.

Ger

On 8/15/12, Bill Reif <billreif at ameritech.net> wrote:
> Hello Gerard,
>
> Am I correct that what you're looking for is cases that either
> demonstrate or challenge our competence to practice law in light of the
> limitations imposed by our blindness, previously-obtained law license
> not withstanding? I can imagine, for example, that some convict out
> there has appealed based on the assertion that his blind defense
> attorney was unable to visually evaluate witness credibility, the
> contents of documents he did not personally prepare and print, the race
> or other characteristics of potential jurors, or even the identity of
> persons with whom he believed he was speaking. Several years ago, my
> supervisor questioned whether I should file verified complaints since I,
> then in a time before optical scanners, couldn't verify anything above
> my signature. I convinced her that my reader/secretary, being under my
> direction, gave me the power to verify.
>
> When I was a child, bullies with whom I found myself arguing questioned
> my ability to prove anything, asserting that I was too stupid even to
> know how many fingers they were holding up. (In one case, I was able to
> answer "one" after rushing him, grabbing his hands, and bending a finger
> back at what I'm sure was an uncomfortable angle.) I consider most
> assertions that we don't and can't know what's happening around us
> without seeing it about as meritorious, and sometimes as mean spirited,
> as the bullies' assertions. I don't believe any reasonable court would
> entertain such motions. If there is any currently-binding U.S. case law
> supporting the absurdity described above, I would be interested in
> knowing about it too. In cases where visual assessment is necessary,
> those under our direction or the direction of our common employer can
> assist us just as other attorneys rely on paralegals, inspectors, jury
> consultants, and all manner of experts to make their cases.
>
> Cordially,
> Bill Reif
>
> On 8/15/2012 1:51 PM, Gerard Sadlier wrote:
>> hi, not a grievance, no.
>>   I would be interested in any authorities there were re blind people
>> as witnesses to documents, as i intend to draft a memo on this point
>> for my own cumfort but more generally cases re blind lawyers would be
>> of interest.
>> Any chance of a westlaw search? No worries if not - i habe the irish
>> and english versions but not  the us one.
>> fwiiw, i agree with daniel mcbrides analysis re the need to see the
>> signature.
>> G
>>
>> On 8/15/12, joshjsmith at charter.net <joshjsmith at charter.net> wrote:
>>> Its difficult to narrow that search to one case.  Is there a grievance
>>> issues at stake?
>>>
>>> On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 6:37 PM, Gerard Sadlier wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi all, I wondered if anyone on this list could refer me to any US
>>>> authorities there may be regarding blind or visually impaired lawyers.
>>>>
>>>> I'm not interested in civil rights cases or legislation more broadly,
>>>> just case law regarding blind lawyers/attorneys in particular.
>>>>
>>>> If you could send me the actual case, I'd be doublly grateful.
>>>>
>>>> G
>>>>
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