Attorneys VS the Citizens of Ohio
10/07/2024
We need to start with a literature lesson and a quote from a Shakespeare play.
"Let's kill all the
lawyers" is a line from William Shakespeare's Henry
VI, Part 2, Act IV, Scene 2. The full quote is: "The first thing
we do, let's kill all the lawyers". It is among Shakespeare's most famous
lines. 
Analysis
Shakespeare may be making a joke when the character "Dick The Butcher" suggests one of the ways the band of pretenders to the throne can improve the country is to kill all the lawyers. Dick is a rough character like the other henchmen, a killer as evil as his name implies, and this is his rough solution to his perceived societal problem.
Text
JACK CADE. Valiant I am.
SMITH [aside]. A must needs; for beggary is valiant.
JACK CADE. I am able to endure much.
DICK [aside]. No question of that; for I have seen him whipp'd three market-days together.
JACK CADE. I fear neither sword nor fire.
SMITH [aside]. He need not fear the sword; for his coat is of proof.
DICK [aside]. But methinks he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i' th' hand for stealing of sheep.
JACK CADE. Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hoop'd pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in common; and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass: and when I am king,– as king I will be,–
ALL. God save your majesty!
JACK CADE. I thank you, good people:– there shall be no money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship me their lord.
DICK. The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.
JACK CADE. Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment, that parchment, being scribbl'd o'er, should undo a man? Some say the bee stings; but I say 'tis the bee's wax, for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since.
Shakespeare’s words were not a threat towards the attorneys of that time, but it was a commentary on what was going on where attorneys were doing everything possible to control everything.
The same can be said of Ohio and what goes on within the walls of the offices and chambers of the legislature.
In Ohio:
Population of Ohio (Last Census) – 11,799,448
Number of attorneys in the state (Ohio Supreme Court) – 37,717
Judges - 2280
Best estimate of attorneys employed by the State, County, and local governments – 5000
That leaves approximately 30,000 attorneys in private practice.
I know that the attorneys and the BAR Association spend significant time with legislators lobbying for and against bills. I have run into them often in the Senate and House offices, at testimony, and interested parties meetings. I have had long discussions away from the Statehouse at local events and in general private conversations. Makes one wonder why they are so dead set against modernizing the way Ohio looks at custody cases. The only logical conclusion that I can come up with is that it would negatively affect their pocketbooks.
Creating Unnecessary Jobs for Themselves
Parenting coordinators were added by the Ohio Supreme Court in January of 2023. There were no changes to the Ohio Revised Code to specify their duties and the limits under which they can operate.
To explain what a “parenting coordinator” does for those unfamiliar with the term, they are an “adult babysitter” that attempts to get parents to work together. I will add, a well-paid babysitter since most are charging hourly rates of $200 per hour.
There is no oversight or board to file a complaint with and any recommendation made is supposed to be followed without objection.
Legal Cost for Parents
When I look at legal fees that some have had to pay to dissolve a personal relationship I can why attorneys don’t want the family law section modernized and simplified.
When I divorced in 1995 it cost me $1575.00. 30 days after the divorce was final, I was served with a change of custody complaint that cost $2500.00. That $4075.00 would be $8417.29 in today’s dollars.
Father in 2012 spent $250,000.00 ($342.774.64 today’s money) to get equal custody of his children.
Eight years ago, a couple had spent $350,000.00 ($459.064.11 today’s money) in legal fees. The children want to spend the same amount of time with their dad and their mother. I helped them negotiate a plan with attorneys to do that.
I have often wondered why people are spending their children’s inheritance or college funds to do and get what should be a simple process. Parents are every day.
Are attorneys causing more problems in cases?
Attorneys are like plumbers; you hire them to clean up crap. Too often they can and do cause more havoc that can be prevented by listening carefully to their clients. Rules of procedure allow for responses to motions filed but some file what can be termed frivolous motions in hopes of creating a “war of attrition” situation so that the other party runs out of money. While a pro se can be deemed a vexatious litigant, and an attorney cannot.
With custody cases, the war of attrition has driven fit, willing, and able parents into a reduced presence in the lives of their children, when they run out of funds.
With custody cases seem to think the judges always get their decisions right, yet they do not present facts in the courtroom, only drama to make it appear their client is correct. Presenting drama wins cases for attorneys, not facts like both parents were active with their children while married or the parents were in a relationship.
It is time for Ohio’s General Assembly to listen it its constituents, not the attorneys that come lobbying to protect their wallets.
So few should not determine what happens to the families of Ohio. The voice of the voters should be.
Legislative Director
440-281-5478
legislation@ohiofamilyrights.com
