I’m not a lawyer, hopefully you are. Shouldn’t complaints arise from the states that issued the license to the signatories? Perhaps as an appeal to constituents of each signatory for letters and/or complaints to the appropriate state bar might be helpful. Would complaints be necessary or would letters suffice?
I’m not a lawyer, hopefully you are. Shouldn’t complaints arise from the states that issued the license to the signatories? Perhaps as an appeal to constituents of each signatory for letters and/or complaints to the appropriate state bar might be helpful. Would complaints be necessary or would letters suffice?
I am an attorney in NY. I worked as a corporate attorney at top tier law firms in NYC for more than 15 years. Yes, complaints from residents of the state where the attorney signatory is a senator would be particularly impactful. I would suggest filing a formal complaint to the state bar where the attorney signatory is licensed. If you give me a day or two, I will draft a formal complaint that you and others can use.
Here’s a form letter. Had to cut & paste bc I wasn’t able to upload.
[Date]
[Name of State] Bar Association
Attn: Disciplinary / Grievance Committee
[street address]
[city, state zip code]
Re: Complaint Against [Full Name of Senator Attorney]
To whom it many concern:
My name is [_____________] and I reside at [_________________]. I am writing to formally complain about the recent action(s) taken by Senator [________], who is a licensed attorney in [name of state] and my state senator.
As you may be aware, Senator [_________] recently signed on to a letter (the “Senate Letter”) addressed to Mr. Karim A. A. Khan K of the International Criminal Court (the “ICC”) at The Hague in The Netherlands regarding the ICC’s investigation into the actions of certain Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, relating to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Specifically, whether the actions of any such officials rise to the level of war crimes which would obligate the ICC to file one or more applications for arrest warrants. For your convenience, I have attached a copy of the Senate Letter hereto for your review.
Although Senator [_________], in his official capacity as a senator of the state of [name of state], has the right, if not the obligation, to address domestic and international matters that may impact [his or her] constituents or the United States of America, the senator does not have the right to intimidate or threaten a court official nor does [he or she] have the right to interfere with, impede or improperly influence an ongoing investigation by a court of competent jurisdiction and, as a licensed attorney, Senator [________] knows, or should know, that doing so is unethical and likely violates international law. Nonetheless, Senator [_________] did just that when he signed on to the Senate Letter, which expressly provides: “[t]arget Israel and we will target you. If you move forward with the measures indicated in the report, we will move to end all American support for the ICC, sanction your employees and associates, and bar you and your families from the United States. You have been warned.” This language is a blatant effort by Senator [________] and the other signatories to intimidate ICC officials and influence their actions.
I respectfully request that you investigate this matter and take all appropriate action within your authority to discipline Senator [_________] and ensure that [his or her] conduct comports with [state’s] ethics.guidelines and all applicable law going forward.
Michelle, thank you; time is of the essence.
I’m not a lawyer, hopefully you are. Shouldn’t complaints arise from the states that issued the license to the signatories? Perhaps as an appeal to constituents of each signatory for letters and/or complaints to the appropriate state bar might be helpful. Would complaints be necessary or would letters suffice?
I am an attorney in NY. I worked as a corporate attorney at top tier law firms in NYC for more than 15 years. Yes, complaints from residents of the state where the attorney signatory is a senator would be particularly impactful. I would suggest filing a formal complaint to the state bar where the attorney signatory is licensed. If you give me a day or two, I will draft a formal complaint that you and others can use.
Did you give up on the idea of a sample letter?
Here’s a form letter. Had to cut & paste bc I wasn’t able to upload.
[Date]
[Name of State] Bar Association
Attn: Disciplinary / Grievance Committee
[street address]
[city, state zip code]
Re: Complaint Against [Full Name of Senator Attorney]
To whom it many concern:
My name is [_____________] and I reside at [_________________]. I am writing to formally complain about the recent action(s) taken by Senator [________], who is a licensed attorney in [name of state] and my state senator.
As you may be aware, Senator [_________] recently signed on to a letter (the “Senate Letter”) addressed to Mr. Karim A. A. Khan K of the International Criminal Court (the “ICC”) at The Hague in The Netherlands regarding the ICC’s investigation into the actions of certain Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, relating to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Specifically, whether the actions of any such officials rise to the level of war crimes which would obligate the ICC to file one or more applications for arrest warrants. For your convenience, I have attached a copy of the Senate Letter hereto for your review.
Although Senator [_________], in his official capacity as a senator of the state of [name of state], has the right, if not the obligation, to address domestic and international matters that may impact [his or her] constituents or the United States of America, the senator does not have the right to intimidate or threaten a court official nor does [he or she] have the right to interfere with, impede or improperly influence an ongoing investigation by a court of competent jurisdiction and, as a licensed attorney, Senator [________] knows, or should know, that doing so is unethical and likely violates international law. Nonetheless, Senator [_________] did just that when he signed on to the Senate Letter, which expressly provides: “[t]arget Israel and we will target you. If you move forward with the measures indicated in the report, we will move to end all American support for the ICC, sanction your employees and associates, and bar you and your families from the United States. You have been warned.” This language is a blatant effort by Senator [________] and the other signatories to intimidate ICC officials and influence their actions.
I respectfully request that you investigate this matter and take all appropriate action within your authority to discipline Senator [_________] and ensure that [his or her] conduct comports with [state’s] ethics.guidelines and all applicable law going forward.
Sincerely,
Attachment [be sure to attach the Senate Letter]
Thanks -- as far as I can determine Britt, Cotton and Cruz are the only lawyers among the signatories.
McConnell, Hagerty, Rubio and Rick Scott are also attorneys.