US lawyer Michael Bidart is considering suing Richard Huber, the chief executive officer of Connecticut healthcare company Aetna, after Huber referred to him as a "skilful, ambulance-chasing lawyer". Huber made the comments after losing a case and being ordered to pay US$120m to one of Bidart's clients. Bidart says ambulance-chasing is "tantamount to unethical conduct. It's definitely actionable as libel per se." However, in 1996 English personal injury lawyer Kerry Underwood told 300 Association of Personal Injury Lawyers delegates attending a conference: "I don't see a wild contradiction between being a caring professional and ambulance chaser in the broadest sense."
BAe threatens unethical firms
British Aerospace (BAe) is demanding that firms prove a commitment to pro bono work, or risk being kicked off its panel. The blue chip client’s call comes as companies increasingly review law firms ethical behaviour. BAe legal director Stuart Caroll has written to the company’s panel firms asking them what pro bono work they are […]
