► Attorney W. Alan Winter of Neptune Beach, FL; sore loser, ethical elf Print
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Attorney W. Alan Winter of Neptune Beach, FL; sore loser, ethical elf

 
The state of Florida presented W. Alan Neptune with a law license in 1984.
 
The State Bar of Florida found W. Alan guilty of the following misconduct.
  1. Failed to acknowledge the wrongfulness of his conduct
  2. Engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice
  3. Made false accusations against sitting judge
  4. Knowingly disparaged opposing counsel
W. Alan was hired by Transportation Casualty Ins. Co. (TCI) to defend Marsha and Sam Chesser and S&J Express, Inc a wrongful death action in rural Dixie County. Subsequently, the jury returned a verdict in excess of $2 million against W. Alan’s clients.
 
Shortly after the trial, W. Alan sent a post-verdict report to Mickie Donnelly, adjuster for TCI, outlining his pre-trial preparations, the trial, and post-verdict hearings and motions. However, W. Alan failed to send a copy of the report to the insured’s, Mr. & Mrs. Chesser and S&J Express.
 
Subsequently, W. Alan sent a letter to the insurer wherein he made statements impugning the judicial system and discrediting the judge and opposing counsel. W. Alan’s comments suggested that the trial was fixed and that the judge’s rulings were based on political concerns rather than the evidence and the law. He further stated to the insurer’s agent that he “recognized they could not get a fair trial,” that the judge could not grant relief he was requesting because the County “was watching” and the judge’s job was on the line. He then stated that he was “home-towned” by the verdict.”
 
As to opposing counsel (the winner), W. Alan said that he knew the result before the jury returned its verdict, although he could “not prove impropriety,” thus suggesting opposing counsel tampered with the jury.
 
As a consequence of his misconduct, the apologists for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Florida Supreme Court punished W. Alan by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.
 
As we speak (ca. March 2013), W. Alan practices with the Winter Law Firm at 310 3rd Street in Neptune Beach, Florida.