Joel Brodsky booted from case after clashes with yet another attorney

The Chicago Tribune reports that Joel Brodsky and his opposing counsel, Michael Meschino, were both dismissed from a Cook County civil case by Judge Raymond Mitchell.

Joel Brodsky was representing Fahred Salem, Mariam Salem and Jrough Al-Daoud in a civil case against Rabi Nesheiwat and George Nesheiwat. After months of open animosity both in and out of court, the Judge filed an opinion and order booting the two lawyers as a last resort to ensure all parties’ right to a fair trial.

Besides relatively tame allegations of name calling by both lawyers – including “little man”, “fat”, “bald”, and “short” as well as the Brodsky favorites, “moron” and “liar” – there were allegations of physical threats and Mr. Meschino had to be escorted from the courtroom more than once by deputies.

Joel Brodsky filed a motion on Tuesday in which he claimed that Attorney Meschino was obsessed with Brodsky’s role in the high-profile Drew Peterson murder case, and recommended that Meschino undergo a mental evaluation. In Joel Brodsky’s pending defamation suit filed in February, he makes similar assertions of mental illness about ex co-counsel, Steven Greenberg.

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In the motion Judge Mitchell says that Brodsky committed “outright attorney misconduct” by sending two letters complaining about Meschino to a chief judge without copying either Meschino or himself. Copies of the letters were attached to his filing.

As for Meschino, he complained rather comically that Joel Brodsky was:

“…constantly shaking his head, his bald head, so that the light is shining on me.”

A copy of the Judge Mitchell’s order citing “deplorable behavior” has been sent to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

Last month Judge Edward Burmila chastised Brodsky for statements he made during televised interviews immediately following the sentencing of Drew Peterson. At that time he ordered that a transcript of the day’s proceedings be sent to the Commission.

Earlier this month, Joel Brodsky, distributed a press release to announce his inclusion to the “Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in the United States” by The National Trial Lawyers Organization. A little digging reveals that Brodsky has actually been added to the list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers for the state of Illinois – a distinction shared by at least 300 Illinois lawyers (that I counted).

According to the organization’s online FAQ, after being offered an invitation an attorney must pay up front for the honor of inclusion to their list and then cough up yearly dues in order to remain listed. They must also pay additional dues in order to be listed by area of expertise.

I wonder if he’ll get a refund if he ends up being disciplined by the ARDC…

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Sue Savio, sister of Kathleen Savio, to speak about domestic violence at Spring event

Sue Savio awaits the verdict outside the courthouse at the trial of Drew Peterson for the murder of her sister

The Zonta Club of Kankakee will conduct its annual luncheon, The Diamond Within…celebrating the Strength of the Human Spirit, on April 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverstone Conference Center of Kankakee.

The special guest speaker will be Sue Savio, sister of Kathleen Savio, who will speak from personal experience about the effect of domestic violence on a family.

The public is invited to attend. Advance reservations and payment required. The cost of the luncheon is $40 per person; $25 for children ages 13 and under, with parental caution regarding the topic of the luncheon.

The Zonta Club of Kankakee will also honor the 2013 Woman of Achievement and the 2013 Young Woman in Public Affairs recipients at the luncheon.

The Zonta Club of Kankakee was chartered in 1956 and is a member of Zonta International, a worldwide service organization of executives in business and professions working together to advance the status of women. Locally, the Zonta Club of Kankakee supports the efforts of Harbor House, Kankakee County-Center Against Sexual Assault (KC-CASA), and Center of Hope nonprofit agencies.

Reservations and payments for the luncheon can be sent to: Zonta Luncheon, 106 Julie Drive, Kankakee, IL 60901. Mailed invitations are not being sent for this event. For program sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact Amy Carmack at 815-715-7635 for more information.

2012-14 Zonta Service Projects

• Harbor House: An agency whose mission is to provide services to the victims of domestic violence in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties in Illinois.
• KC-Casa: An agency that provides assistance to victims of sexual abuse.
• Center of Hope: An agency that provides car repair grants for women.
• Child Network Grandmother Project: Provides encouragement and support for girls who have been abused or neglected and are now in the court system.
• Kankakee Valley Adult literacy Project: An agency that provides a broad range of tutoring with more accessibility for under-educated adults.
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Drew Peterson’s defense steps down from appellate process, ask for public defender

Attorneys Joe Lopez, David Peilet and Steven Greenberg

CBS Chicago reports that Drew Peterson’s lawyers have stepped down and asked the public appellate defender’s office to take over with the post-sentencing appeals.

This is something that Joel Brodsky had indicated was happening immediately after Peterson’s sentencing on February 22. At the time Attorney Steven Greenberg tweeted that he was staying on board for the appellate process.

“So the record is clear- We are continuing to represent Peterson on appeal-all counsel who finished the case, plus.”

Today on Facebook, Steve Greenberg writes:

“We expect that the appeal will ultimately be handled by either a law professor or a large firm, with our assistance.”

This change occurred in less than two weeks.

Steve Greenberg Tweeted on 9/20/12: “I promised if we lost I would come to a Glasgow fundraiser and I am a man of my word”

Joel Brodsky has written a response to the situation on Facebook:

“Joel A. Brodsky, Attorney at Law
2 hours ago

ATTORNEY STEVE GREENBERG ABANDON’S DREW PETERSON TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S APPELLATE DIVISION:

For some reason it didn’t make the papers, but if you ask me the real big story from Tuesday’s (March 5, 2013) Court appearance in People v. Drew Peterson is that after the Judge rejected Peterson’s motion to reduce his sentence, the Court asked Steve Greenberg he and the other lawyers were going to represent Drew in his appeal. Greenberg’s answer was no, so the Judge appointed the State Appellate Defender (the public defender for appeals) to represent Drew in his appeal.

No wonder Drew was glum and looking at his shoes during Tuesday’s hearing. Like a one night stand, he was used by Greenberg for Greenberg’s own purposes, and then abandoned to the public defender. I bet Drew is sorry he listened to Greenberg’s lies about how making an false ineffective assistance argument would guarantee him a new trial.

Also, Will County States Attorney Jim Glasgow publically showed his disdain for Attorney Greenberg on Tuesday. When it was all over, and Drew was hauled off to his maximum security cell at Mendard Correctional Center (thanks to Greenberg’s incompetent post-trial motion), Steve Greenberg went up to Mr. Glasgow for the traditional handshake that opposing attorneys share after a trial is completed. However, Glasgow refused to shake Greenberg’s hand, turned his back on the backstabbing slanderer, and walked away. Way to go Mr. Glasgow.”

and

“That’s what you get when you have Steve Greenberg as your attorney – a dishonest and ineffective lawyer who throws you out like yesterday’s trash after he messes up your case. He lied to Drew so he could use the case to try to get at me, and then when it was over he abandoned Drew when he had no more use for him.”

Steve Greenberg has responded on Facebook as well to Brodsky’s statements:

“it is not unusual for the State Appellate Defender to be appointed at this stage. We expect that the appeal will ultimately be handled by either a law professor or a large firm, with our assistance. As far as Mr. Glasgow, he is an ungracious winner.”

Read more at CBS Chicago

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Drew Peterson may lose his $79k pension

Drew Peterson’s mugshot February, 2013

The Bolingbrook pension board has hired an outside lawyer to review the transcripts from Drew Peterson’s murder trial to determine whether or not the convicted killer should lose his pension.

In September of last year, it was reported that it was possible he could lose his $79,000 annual pension from the Bolingbrook Police Department as a result of the guilty verdict.

Under state law governing public employee pensions, a local pension board could revoke Peterson’s pension if it determines he used his police powers or even his skills as a veteran officer in the 2004 murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Shortly after his conviction Peterson’s then attorney, Joel Brodsky, was confident that Drew would be keeping his pension, saying:

“His pension is safe…That money goes to his kids now anyway, even though I’m sure Jim Glasgow would like to see them thrown out in the street. It’s not like the trial. You would have to present actual evidence to the pension board and they don’t have that.”

It appears that now that Peterson has been sentenced, the city is going to see if that evidence exists.

Peterson’s adult son, Stephen Peterson, currently has power of attorney over his father’s affairs. He has also been taking care of his half-siblings, Anthony and Lacy, who are the children of his father and Stacy Peterson, who has been missing since October 2007.

Stacy Peterson has not yet been declared dead so her children do not collect Social Security benefits on her behalf.

Read more at the Chicago Tribune

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Joel Brodsky turns over Drew Peterson financial documents

Joel Brodsky

Today in court Joel Brodsky turned over some of the documents requested by his former co-counsel.

Drew Peterson’s current defense team filed a motion for a new trial based partly on claims that Joel Brodsky provided their client with an ineffective assistance of counsel and that his desire for money and fame created a conflict of interest in the defense of Drew Peterson who was convicted of murder and awaits sentencing.

Last week they asked for documentation of Joel Brodsky’s financial arrangements with Drew Peterson.

Brodsky fought the subpoena claiming that it violated attorney-client privilege and filed a motion to quash it. Meanwhile Brodsky’s wife, Elizabeth, took to Twitter to say that Joel had nothing to hide and accused attorney Steve Greenberg of filing an unnecessary subpoena in order to create a “three ring circle (circus).”

However, Drew Peterson, seemingly giving up all allegiance to his one-time friend and lawyer, signed a letter clearing the way for Brodsky to produce the requested documentation.

Although Brodsky did turn over some documentation at today’s hearing, there are still some records outstanding. Steve Greenberg says:

“There’s still more records. Hopefully we’ll get them and that will be that.”

Another status hearing date is set for next Wednesday.

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Former Drew Peterson Lawyer is off the hook

Attorney Walter Maksym (second from left) was kicked off the Peterson legal team in September 2011.

According to the official press agent of the Drew Peterson defense team, attorney Walter Maksym is off the hook:

Former Drew Peterson attorney inquiry dismissed
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered allegations against former Drew Peterson attorney Walter Maksym be ‘discharged without further action.’

After a lengthy inquiry, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has closed the book on a matter involving prominent attorney Walter Maksym in which he had represented clients regarding their claims of official misconduct and extortion against the Sheriff of McHenry County, Illinois. The matter was not associated with Drew Peterson who Mr. Maksym has represented regarding civil matters.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals had previously criticized a complaint and appeal filed by Mr. Maksym on behalf of his clients.

However, after conducting an inquiry into the facts surrounding its prior assessment, the Court issued an order stating that, because of Mr. Maksym’s “…long career of competent, ethical service to his clients, active involvement in the legal profession, and service to the community” and other reasons, the previously issued order directing him to show cause why he should not be sanctioned or disciplined was “discharged without further action.”

Mr. Maksym was pleased by the Court’s dismissal, stating:

“After more than four decades of dedicated service to the rule of law without ever having been sanctioned or disciplined, I am pleased by the court’s ruling, the fact that my record remains unblemished and that my reputation has been restored.”

You may not remember Walter Maksym. He was at one time Drew Peterson’s civil attorney who tried unsuccessfully to sue for Peterson’s access to a HELOC (and ended up with a judgment against Peterson); the guy who tried unsuccessfully to halt Lifetime from making the movie “Untouchable”; and the guy who tried unsuccessfully to auction off rental of Peterson’s house in advance of his murder trial.

Maksym was asked by Joel Brodsky to step down as Peterson’s legal representative in September 2011 after being reprimanded by a federal appeals court.

In a scathing ruling Maksym was called out after repeatedly submitting unintelligable appeals that “flagrantly disobeyed” court instructions, leaving defendants unaware of what charges were being leveled against them.

Source: PRNews

Joel Brodsky fights subpoena

Today in court Joel Brodsky filed a motion to “quash” a “subpoena duces tecum”. Such a subpoena is a writ issued by a court at the request of one of the parties to a suit; it requires a witness to bring to court or to a deposition any relevant documents under the witness’ control.

Drew Peterson’s most recent mug shot

Apparently, Mr. Brodsky does not want to hand over his documents concerning his financial arrangements with his former client, Drew Peterson. If his motion is successful he could be allowed to merely bring his records to court with him when he appears (rather than hand them over to the prosecution), or his former co-counsel could be asked to obtain the information that they need by some different means.

A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel has been made in a motion filed against Joel Brodsky by Drew Peterson’s attorney, Steve Greenberg. Greenberg claims that Brodsky misrepresented his experience to Mr. Peterson, that his desire for publicity was a conflict of interest in his representation of his client and that he made a legal error when he called to the stand a witness who put Drew Peterson at the scene of Kathleen Savio’s death.

J.P. Morgan Chase was also subpoenaed for records.

The next status hearing is scheduled for February first.

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Drew Peterson court date sets next hearing/sentencing for February 19, 20

Attorneys in the Drew Peterson case are scheduled to be in court at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2013 before Judge Edward Burmila in Courtroom 403. The attorneys will ask Judge Burmila to schedule a date for a hearing to argue post-trial motions. Beyond setting that court date, no other legal issues are scheduled to be argued on Thursday.

Source: Will County Sheriff’s Department

UPDATE 1/10/12: The state has filed a response to the defense’s post-verdict motion for a new trial based on, among other things, claims of ineffective assistance by attorney Joel Brodsky. A hearing for motions is set for February 19. A sentencing hearing and the sentencing will come after that (barring the event of an actual new trial).

Peterson’s former attorney, Joel Brodsky, may need to take the stand to defend himself while Steven Greenberg and Joe Lopez may be called as witnesses. Legal experts have stated that they doubt a bid for a new trial will be successful.

Drew Peterson’s former wife, Vicki Connolly, and his eldest son, Eric Peterson have been subpoenaed by the state to testify at the sentencing hearing. The both have previously testified before the grand jury and at a pre-trial hearing.

Kathleen Savio’s sister, Sue Savio, says that she has her victim impact statement ready to be read.

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Steve Greenberg asks Joel Brodsky to retract statements. Brodsky calls the cops. Read the report

Steve Greenberg and Joel Brodsky

On Wednesday, attorney Joel Brodsky called the police and filed a report against former co-counsel Steve Greenberg, claiming that he had been threatened by him.

On Monday, Joel Brodsky had filed his notice to withdraw from Drew Peterson’s defense in a wrongful death suit. The filing also made claims of ineffective assistance against Steve Greenberg and asserted that Greenberg suffered from mental illness, specifically pathological narcissism.

Apparently, Steven Greenberg didn’t take it as a compliment and responded to Brodsky by e-mail that same day. Greenberg told the Chicago Sun-Times:

“In the spirit of the holiday, I thought I would charitably ask him to withdraw slanderous allegations against me and others before moving to have him heavily sanctioned.”

Here is the police report of “IUCR: 2826 – Other Offense – Harassment By Electronic Means”:

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Joel Brodsky’s filing to withdraw from Drew Peterson civil suit is mostly about Steve Greenberg. Read it here

On Monday, after being hit with a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel and withdrawing from Drew Peterson’s murder defense, Joel Brodsky also withdrew from Peterson’s defense in the wrongful death suit filed by the family of Kathleen Savio.

The motion reads rather like a petulant diary entry as it mainly attacks former co-counsel, Steven Greenberg, who joined the Peterson defense in April 2010.

In the filing, Brodsky claims that it was Greenberg, not he, who gave Drew Peterson ineffective assistance, and that Greenberg suffers from “pathological narcissism” and is “fixated and obsessed with Joel Brodsky”. Brodsky accuses Greenberg of leaking sealed documents to Chicago Tribune reporter, Stacy St. Clair, and of carrying on an intimate relationship with In Session reporter, Beth Karas, in exchange for face time with the camera during Drew Peterson’s murder trial.

You can read the motion, in its entirety, below. It’s a doozy.

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Steven Greenberg’s 31-page memo

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