Where Can I Find A Lawyer

Q: I don't know what to do about this - is it illegal for them to do this? There are two parties in a dispute (the one party is my friend) and the other party hired a lawyer - and the lawyer told my friend, over the phone (after sending a piece of mail regarding this matter, to my friend's place of work), that unless she did "x" by a certain date, that the lawyer would contact her place of work regarding this matter. My friend's place of work has nothing to do with this dispute! Now my friend is a basket case. What can I tell her to do? This can't possibly be legal....I feel like striking back and going to the boards that this lawyer serves on and let them know what the lawyer has been up to....

A: In general, this is a free country, and anyone is free to contact anyone else and talk. There are very few circumstances where this would be illegal. In this case, the lawyer might be trying to set up an out of court settlement that

involves your friend being garnished. If that is the case, then contacting the employer is very appropriate. Dittos if the lawyer is trying to determine what insurance. The place that it might be illegal is if the lawyer knows something about your friend that would get her fired, and they are using this to blackmail your friend. This free country concept applies to you, too. You can go contact the local bar and report this lawyer. They may call him/her on the carpet and ask what is going on. Keep in mind, however, that since you are not a party to the lawsuit, your report is going to carry very little weight. It is you friend who should be taking any action.