One of William Shakespeare’s most famous lines appears in Henry VI, Part 2, written in the 1590s. In the scene, rebel leader Jack Cade, a pretender to the throne of England, is describing how he’ll improve the country once he ascends to power, when one of his henchmen—“Dick the Butcher,” a murderer—blurts out: “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.”
Over four hundred years have passed since the “Bard of Avon” penned Henry VI, and yet the sentiment still endures. A recent Google search of the phrase “why we hate lawyers” resulted in an astounding 36,800,000 million sites. Does this mean that lawyers comprise the most hated profession? Imagine the following: Young, altruistic students dreaming of becoming modern-day Atticus Finches. Then, after trudging through years of law school, passing the extremely difficult bar exam, reality sets in: Most people hate you!
Unfortunately, I occupied an unenviable front-row seat in a tragedy that gave me valuable insight and a deeper understanding as to why society despises lawyers. Not just any attorney, mind you, a certain brand of attorney.
When the Church of Scientology goes to court it uses high-dollar lawyers to overawe and intimidate its less-than-wealthy opponents. This type of lawyer plays the game to the hilt: overwhelming the courts with motions and counter-suits, escalating the costs by dragging out their cases, and using every dirty trick—including outright lies—to impugn the integrity of their opponents. This is something critics of the religion, former Church members who’ve spoken out against Scientology, and bereaved mothers seeking justice have all come to understand and expect.
These tactics are all a part of the Church of Scientology’s “fair game” doctrine, an aggressive policy first described by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard in the mid-1950s. According to Hubbard, Scientologists and their lawyers, when dealing with enemies of the Church, should “always find or manufacture enough threat against them to cause them to sue for peace. Don’t ever defend. Always attack.” Lies, propaganda, defamation of character—they’re all a part of this religion’s “fair game.” And, of course, the law can be bent to Scientology’s will. “The purpose of the suit,” wrote Hubbard, “is to harass and discourage rather than to win. The law can be used easily to harass, and enough harassment on somebody . . . will generally be sufficient to cause his professional decease. If possible, of course, ruin him utterly.”
But not all attorneys are cut from the same cloth. In a landmark case, lawyer Kennan Dandar helped the family of Lisa McPherson win a settlement against the Church of Scientology. In November of 1995, McPherson, an avid Scientologist, evidently suffered a mental breakdown in Clearwater, Florida, after a minor traffic accident. At the hospital—following the tenets of her faith—she refused psychiatric observation saying that she wanted to be treated by fellow Scientologists. Taken to Clearwater’s Fort Harrison Hotel—the Church’s headquarters—McPherson was dead 17 days later, her corpse’s condition proving that she’d suffered from dehydration and lack of care. In 2004, after years of litigation, the civil suit was settled out of court.
Ken Dander also represented my son’s estate when we sued the Church of Scientology and several of its celebrity followers for my son Kyle’s wrongful death. (Kyle Brennan, who was not a Scientologist died in 2007 under suspicious circumstances while visiting his Scientologist father in Clearwater, Florida.) In the process of litigating against the Church, Dandar was subjected to years of harassment, emotional stress, unnecessary counter litigation, and character assassination simply because he wanted to help a dead boy’s family find answers and uncover the truth.
The war tactics employed by the Church of Scientology lawyers to destroy Dandar were almost successful. In these two high-publicity cases, Dandar devoted a total of 19 years toward helping two bereaved families.
So, let’s not hate all lawyers, just those who abuse their power at the expense of the broken, the vulnerable, and the voiceless.
Meet The Highly Litigious Church of Scientology’s Most Trusted Lawyers
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-church-of-scientologys-most-trusted-lawyers-2012-9
https://vbreton2062.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/johnson-pope-ruppel-burns-llp/
SHAKESPEARE IS STILL THE KING ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a very precious post. As far as Shakespeare is considered we celebrate his four known tragedy, comical play and sonnets. But Henry 6 will be in reach only to a widespread voracious reader. Thanks for sharing this Victoria 🤩👍😍💞
Once upon a time, I had a license to practice law in Florida. The experience of going through law school was positive for me, albeit bittersweet in that the market was saturated and I couldn’t find work. The law is still something I care about. But there are some people who are in it just for the money.
They’re despicable even as law students. There are rules designed to limit the damage they cause, but if they’re good enough, they’ll walk right up to the line as close as possible. Scientology does things which seem to cross it.
I can’t stress enough the importance of documenting Scientology’s behavior. Your case might be over, but if you track them long enough, you can establish evidence of a pattern of behavior. This pattern can help future lawyers prove to a judge that Scientology’s acting in bad faith.
Thank you for taking the time to write such a thought-provoking response. Taking on the Church of Scientology isn’t a decision that is made lightly. I’m in complete agreement with you. Especially when it comes to the importance of documenting evidence and establishing a pattern of behavior. How unfortunate you decided not to pursue a career in law. The profession needs more caring and ethical people like you. Thanks again for reaching out to me. It was much appreciated!
One of the things this pandemic has done is to demonstrate what people and jobs really matter to society. Lawyers don’t fit into that category.
Well, I don’t know the situation there but here, in India, the courts alongside Medical profession and the police who are working 24×7 mate 🤷♂️
As civil liberties are comprised for personal and health security, the need for good and compassionate lawyers are now more than ever to uphold fundamental rights of the citizens.
I am so glad you have this website. People need to know the truth about this poor excuse for a tax-exempt Religion. It is so unconscionable and tragic what happened to Kyle. It is apparent from Church of Scientology’s bottom feeder lawyers they succeeded in convincing the US courts that they fit the LEGAL definition of tax exempt. I pray someday we figure out how to have legal and moral qualifications before we call a money-making, corrupt entity a religion. Please keep posting and posting.
A great comment, Andrea! Thank you for telling it like it is! I’m in complete agreement with you. Thanks so much for the encouragement and support.
A lawyer like Ken Dander must be one in a million.
En mi familia abundan los abogados (buf) como antes abundaron los mineros (siempre derrotados pero siempre invencibles). Y ayer mismo vi una película sobre William que recomiendo: El último acto. Salud y suerte.
Gracias mi amigo. Muy apreciado!
Congratulations, Victoria!
I have nominated your blog for the Vincent Ehendero Blogger Award.
More about this nomination is at
https://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/vincent-ehindero-blogger-award-thank-you-thebibliophilewriter/
Thank you, Petrel41!
Well deserved 🙂 Keep blogging!
Wow! Congratulations Victoria!
Very informative write:
Scientology, to me, is a cult of greed and power. Where else would some lawyers and even movie stars choose to go?
I’m sorry to hear about the tragic death of your son at such an early age – that would be hard enough, but the questions surrounding the circumstances must be a very heavy burden to bear. As a social worker (before I retired) I understand the mental health aspects of the case. Best of luck to you and your family.
I also belong to legal fraternity and your article is refreshing and inspiring.
I’m with you, Victoria! Lawyers are the greatest liars in the world! It’s why they’re lawyers! And most politicians start out as lawyers! Go figure!
My heart hurts for you!
I am one of the very few people I know who graduated law school, passed the bar and said, “Whoa!” I did not want to be the people I graduated with. I use my legal background daily but have never “been” a lawyer (thank God).
Excellent post
Thank you, Zita!
Thanks for sharing. Really drives us to think. Shudder that most politicians were lawyers
Good points. Legal practice like politics has been polluted by the money minded. A fresh lawyer has no corruption in him. He is only corrupted by the system. A corrupt lawyer is corrupted by his eye for big money as you have rightly said and it’s only few that can stand on the side of justice and earn little. We still count on the very few.
Thanks for sharing your views and experiences with scientology.
I am speechless. THANK YOU for the follow! I am humbled and appreciative after reading your words, and my heart goes out to you. Together we CAN prevail. Take good care!
A true message for all the existing lawyers as well as the younger generation of young people who aspire to become a Lawyer one day. Above every individual in the society, lawyer should be true to his or her profession because otherwise innocent lives would be at stake. I remember reading the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”. This book really teaches an important message to the society. But it is said that even after so many great works through which writers have tried to set the right path in the society for the generations to follow there are wrong incidents still taking place. Anyways my heart is with the lawyers who unbendingly are working towards justice and saving the lives of innocent people.
Best wishes from The Strong Traveller and have a great day.
Do have a look at my blog whenever you find the time. There are some travel and lifestyle content which you may find interesting. Your thoughts will surely be very valuable. Stay connected. 😊
lawyers are the scum of humanity, greetings from Italy
As a former lawyer, I fully agree. Such tactics do nothing to further the cause of justice. That they are employed in support of a supposed “religion” is all the more despicable.
Thank you, Anna! Coming from a former lawyer makes your comment all the more powerful.
wow, I seriously enjoyed reading this. Love the opening with Shakespeare’s line from Henry VI, Part 2. I can imagine the line being spewed out toward the audience.
A client of mine was a successful criminal lawyer, he was truly the salt of the earth, making it easy to believe when he walked away from his practice to open a bait and tackle shop on a beautiful lake!
An amazing share my fiend and sadly so true.. We will keep praying on the fall of law.
well said and eye opening… which I sadly knew. Blessing to you for your loss
Actually, I like most lawyers. Of course, there are those who are ambulance chasers and shysters.
Nice post 👍😁
I do hope you are making progress with the case. On lawyers, I think the way the system has evolved is that the odds are heavily weighed in favour of money. And I don’t think that would have been anyone’s intention. I need we need to put wise heads together to ensure there is a level playing field where lesser resources is not an impediment to getting justice.
Good
Nice post! There are only a few good lawyers in this whole world, others all are lawyers with just one big motive and that is to fill their pockets with money. Because of this the system is also a lot corrupted, unfortunately.
This is a hell of heinous crime and for the Church of Scientology to still have lawyers backing em up is just tragic!
In Shakespeare’s dramas-we find this fact.he was absolutely right .
I don’t think people hate them as a human being but some are downright criminal and have no morals. There’s nothing they won’t do to win even when they know it’s wrong or their client is evil
Great 👍
Great of yours👍 too
Thank you
Thought provoking write up
Every profession has good and bad people and so does our legal fraternity. Btw who doesn’t love Shakespeare!
Lol I don’t feel bad about that line despite being a law scholar 😂
Valuable post❤️
This is so powerful! I had no idea that any of this was happening. This is really mind blowing. I am glad it worked out in the courts, but I can see how there are so many cases that so not see justice.
Yes, I’ve had some good lawyers helping me in my situations and at the same time seen the dark ones. The legal system has been taken over by the dark. Once the light takes charge again, the legal system will be much different.
I couldn’t agree more, Katelon!