Britt Lancaster Newby is a pro bono lawyer for the
students of Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi
who has made a local legend of himself through his eccentric
behavior and unconventional approach to advertising on his law
firm's website "Bulldog Legal Services," his firm's blogspot, and
his personal facebook account, which features a professional
photograph of him posing next to a statue of the school's mascot, a
bulldog. In 2005, Newby went under fire for some of the potentially
offensive and professionally unethical statements made on his
firm's website, and he received a public reprimand in Oktibbeha
County Circuit Court by Judge Lee Howard. He was later suspended.
His present career is currently unknown, but he states his
residence as "Couch Surfs" on his facebook account.
Overview
Newby, 35, is well known among some of the student population for
his strange behavior at sporting events or other university
functions, including attending different club and organization
meetings for which he admittedly has no interest in their cause or
belief. Many students have their own "Britt story" that involves a
very distinct situation of odd circumstances in the appearance of
Newby, often in the middle of the night.
Online, Newby's reputation has created quite a following, as the
lawyer's writing style involves a dialogue between fictional and
historical persons that supposedly talk through Newby. His firm's
blogspot includes a subtitle that reads "Broadcasting live, from
the Hall of Justice, the Bulldog Legal Services E-blog brings you
commentary from the most distinguished dead lawyers Britt knows."
Some of the members of his firm who participate in these
conversations include, "Abe Lincoln," "Atticus," and "a senior
partner."
In addition to his created dialogues featured on his blogspot, his
professional website includes long rants expressing frustrations
with the legal system in our nation and even offering a brief
summary of the different types of lawyers. His writing and
advertising has been found to be disturbing, as he has received
complaints regarding the content of his webpage and its use of
sexual innuendo and harsh language.
In a response to one complaint from Adam Kilgore at the Office of
the General Council of the Mississippi Bar, Newby said "It is my
understanding that in authoring the website and in my professional
dealings, I have complied with the Mississippi Rules of
Professional Conduct. However, I can also understand how some
attorneys might take offence at the statements made therein and how
a certain errant comment could provoke outrage in a segment of the
community." He goes on to defend his brand of advertising and
support the basis of his presentation to clients.
As of October 6, 2007, MARS & Bulldog Legal Services is showing
as suspended by the Mississippi Bar Association.
See also
External links
References
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