Letter: Law firm should have withdrawn
A Hauppauge software developer has prevailed in a suit against AOL involving patent infringement. Credit: Jim Peppler, 2011
Regarding "Unfair impression in divorce case" [Letters, March 16], the quotes attributed to me in Newsday's story ["LI firm tossed from divorce case," News, Feb. 25] appear to have been taken from the briefs filed with the Appellate Division. It would serve no purpose to address the judge's inaccurate reference to the statements contained in my brief or his inaccurate perception of his rulings on the case.
The controversy in this case occurred when former Justice Donald R. Blydenburgh joined the opposing law firm the day after leaving the bench, and the new firm insisted on remaining as counsel. For obvious reasons, our client felt that this created a disturbing appearance of impropriety.
When the firm refused to withdraw from the action, the Appellate Division reversed the lower court and disqualified the firm. If the judge had insisted that his new firm voluntarily withdraw or had ensured, at a minimum, that his firm fully complied with the rules of professional conduct, none of this litigation would have ensued.
His indignation is ill considered and unwarranted.
Glenn S. Koopersmith, Garden City
