When Rescue Goes Wrong

Jess041 · Dec 30, 2014

JLSOhio51 said:
On the other hand, as horrible as I find the COSR's position in this case, I cast no particular negative aspersions against the attorney who takes on such a case. EVERYONE deserves to be ably represented in legal proceedings (even those folks that I think are dead wrong).

Agreed. I didn't have much time to research Bell.. just found his linkedin page. I think the question was more of.. what kind of lawyer would take a client like COSR Pro Bono.

JLSOhio51 · Dec 30, 2014

Jess041 said:
Agreed. I didn't have much time to research Bell.. just found his linkedin page. I think the question was more of.. what kind of lawyer would take a client like COSR Pro Bono.

I sort of assumed that the entire Pro Bono issue was a factor of him considering himself an "animal rights" type of guy. Admittedly, there is a great deal of extrapolation here on my part, because I can't truly point to any one thing that leads me to that conclusion. I just sort of get the "White Knight" vibe about him. Plus, if online reviews are any indicator, Mr. Bell may be an adequate attorney, but he's no Clarence Darrow. In these parts, there are a lot of eyes on this case. A win wouldn't hurt.

The Linkedin page has the comment that I found so interesting. You have to follow a query using the heading of the Ohio SPCA case to flesh it out, but he and the SPCA went after the Hocking County, Ohio animal control folks for their euthanization procedures. He WON the case, NOT by stopping animal control from euthanizing animals, but by getting them to change from gas to injection. I just found it strange that he would tout that WIN on his curriculum vitae.

JLSOhio51 · Dec 30, 2014

Jess041 said:
... He has represented the Ohio SPCA in the past...

After continuing to dig around, I have found several citations on the Ohio SPCA web pages that do indeed suggest that Mr. Bell is at least one of the attorneys representing that organization. I also must admit that what I have read so far indicates that he TRULY is an advocate for the fair treatment of animals. I can also say that I (sort of) understand the inclusion of the gas/injection euthanization issue as a WIN on his list of accomplishments (I still find it strange - but I understand it a bit more). Like I said before - the more I learn - curiouser and curiouser!!!

Jess041 · Dec 30, 2014

So something I didn't know, is that the American Bar Association (ABA) recommends that lawyers provide 50 hours of pro bono work, at minimum, per year. So if that's why he's doing it, okay fine. But I also still wonder if he's getting something out of representing COSR pro bono, like if another organization is backing him financially to represent COSR. Or it might just look good that he's representing a non-profit organization pro bono, I'm not sure.

The win for the Ohio SPCA was celebrated because they got animal control to euthanize more humanely.

So like I said, it's not the fact that he's representing COSR that bothers me, it's that he's doing it pro bono. I just wonder what his motive is in that.

Greenepony · Dec 30, 2014

Chasin Ponies said:
I agree that the State Attorney General needs to take a look at charitable organization status of this rescue and have written a letter to that effect. Where on earth did this director come up with the bond money and the lawyer fees? From rescue funds?

If they have a 501c3 status, petition the IRS. They have a unit to investigate fraudulent non-profits (and not all in that unit were involved with the Tea Party nonsense.) However, if the funds are coming from a general fund held in the organization's name, they can be used at the discretion (mostly) of the organization if it can be determinned/argued that those funds are fulfilling the purpose of the organization and no one is financially benefiting.

Jess041 said:
So like I said, it's not the fact that he's representing COSR that bothers me, it's that he's doing it pro bono. I just wonder what his motive is in that.

A good number of DH and my friends are lawyers of varying sorts. My understanding is that pro bono is best perceived if it is for an assumed positive force - civil rights case, a non-profit (because people assume anyone willing to go through the mountain of paperwork to get a 501c3 is doing good), etc.

lasheltie · Dec 30, 2014

The state's attorney may help too because they have someone to regulate charities. I'm know of a case involving a rescue here that is under investigation for their practices. I'd start there & then the IRS. There may be regulations on what donated funds can be used for.

As for the attorney, he may be a lawyer for someone involved with the case (supporter or dog owner, rescuer) & took this on pro bono. Plus it is a high profile case that could set legal precedent so that's always a draw for attorneys. Let's hope he's truly interested in the welfare of the dog. Maybe he should be the one receiving letters asking for proof the dog is even still alive.

Jess041 · Dec 31, 2014

Greenepony said:
A good number of DH and my friends are lawyers of varying sorts. My understanding is that pro bono is best perceived if it is for an assumed positive force - civil rights case, a non-profit (because people assume anyone willing to go through the mountain of paperwork to get a 501c3 is doing good), etc.

Thanks, that clears that up. :smile2:

Margi · Dec 31, 2014

Way back when I read through the whole Kos blog post about the young man whose mother had died and that director woman took her money, and I believe (not 100% certain) that same attorney represented her in that case. If he was involved in that case as well it would indicate (to me at least) a personal relationship of some kind. Kos took that down but they may have put it back up...

Emmasmom · Dec 31, 2014

Margi, Edrie's posts have all gone back up. They were taken down while negotiations were underway, which failed, so she put them back up. It is my understanding that the lawyer is involved in both, having written POAs, etc before the lady died. I am not sure if he is involved as her lawyer in that case still as it is not being posted about.

Jess041 · Dec 31, 2014