Re: pro-women law firm not so pro-women

In article <103302Z11061995@anon.penet.fi>, an250776@anon.penet.fi (Fern) wrote:

>
> > In message <3r5i0h$g55@covina.lightside.com>, originally posted to
> In message <3r5i0h$g55@covina.lightside.com>, originally posted to > soc.women, Chris Miller writes:
> soc.women, Chris Miller <cmiller@lightside.com> writes: >
> > >I have been reading with great interest articles which acknowledge
> >I have been reading with great interest articles which acknowledge > >American businesses with policies which assist women in the workplace.
> >American businesses with policies which assist women in the workplace. > >As a working mother, I am always on the lookout for such businesses and
> >As a working mother, I am always on the lookout for such businesses and > >for any cause which supports working women (especially single mothers).
> >for any cause which supports working women (especially single mothers). > >One leader in this field is the lawfirm of Morrison & Foerster and I was
> >One leader in this field is the lawfirm of Morrison & Foerster and I was > >thrilled when my daughter landed a job there. Morrison & Foerster has
> >thrilled when my daughter landed a job there. Morrison & Foerster has > >been validated for its pro bono work involving women's rights by Working
> >been validated for its pro bono work involving women's rights by Working > >Mother Magazine, the Bay Area chapter of Women in Communication Inc, the
> >Mother Magazine, the Bay Area chapter of Women in Communication Inc, the > >Alliance for Children's Rights, and other groups. I have heard however
> >Alliance for Children's Rights, and other groups. I have heard however > >that this stance is more window dressing than truth and that some of
> >that this stance is more window dressing than truth and that some of > >their clients are actually abusers of women and children.
> >their clients are actually abusers of women and children. > >
> > > >I'm told they are doing pro-bono representation of a high
> >I'm told they are doing pro-bono representation of a high > >publicity case involving a deadbeat father 9 years in arrears on child
> >publicity case involving a deadbeat father 9 years in arrears on child > >support with a history of wife-beating. It makes me wonder if the pro
> >support with a history of wife-beating. It makes me wonder if the pro > >bono work in support of women and children is actually self-serving and
> >bono work in support of women and children is actually self-serving and > >whether they really deserve their awards. Does anyone have any
> >whether they really deserve their awards. Does anyone have any > >information in this regard?
> >information in this regard? >
> > Perhaps someone on a.r.s can comment...
> Perhaps someone on a.r.s can comment... I would love to.

Chris Miller is being disingenuous here. She is a regular poster to alt.religion.scientology and speaks for the Church (sic) of Scientology. When she uses phrases like "I have heard" and "I'm told" she seeks to pretend that she has no connection with interested parties in the "high publicity case" to which she refers. Her clear intention is to besmirch the good name of Morrison and Foerster and make them regret taking on the case as part of their pro bono work. Her actions are standard tactics employed against ANYONE who seeks to oppose the actions of the Co$ (read "Church" of Scientology).

She claims to "have heard" that "some of their clients are actual abusers of women and children" but cites only one case as evidence of her assertions. Bear that in mind when making judgements on the points she raises.

Regarding the particular case she cites, the charges levelled against the accused concern alleged copyright violations and have absolutely NOTHING to do with women's issues. M&F have made the judgement that the case concerns essential issues of law and freedom under the US Constitution relating to free speech. That is laudable IMHO.

The fact that M&F have taken on this particular case does nothing to undermine the good works that they have carried out in the cause of the advancement of women's issues and rights. It should be noted that the lawyers who are directly dealing with this case are women.

I do not propose to defend the person alluded to in Chris Miller's post regarding the precise allegations that she levels at him. The arrears on child support are being dealt with in a separate legal case where, as far as I know, he is being represented by a different firm of lawyers. Suffice it to say, that the issues in this latter case are by no means as cut and dried as Chris Miller would have us believe.

I am personally disgusted that Chris Miller is attempting to undermine the good name of Morrison and Foerster using the methods she has employed in her post above. Anyone familiar with the behaviour of the organisation to which she belongs has long since grown accustomed to such tactics being employed.

To find out more about the case (you don't simply have to take MY word on it) read alt.religion.scientology for a few days. As an alternative, there are many Web sites which carry data (including relevant sworn affidavits) relating to the case as well as other abuses carried out in the name of the Co$.

-- Sister Clara ************************************************************************ * Little Sisters of the Perpetually Juicy * ************************************************************************