March 28, 2006

Ms. Barbara B. Weyher, Chair
NC State Bar - Grievance Committee
Post Office Box 25908
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-59083

Re: Bar Grievance

Your File No.: 06G2073

Dear Ms. Weyher:

I have received your letter regarding the above bar grievance. As I explained, the name arose while I worked for the appellate court in Pennsylvania. Although the name was used by a sitting Pennsylvania justice, friends and I joked about it at the time and thought it somewhat improper.

In 1998, I became active on the internet and adopted this as a nickname. Because my job involved what I saw as the dispensation of justice to litigants, the name seemed apt; I have a passion for justice for all litigants. This name also is more suited to a costumed crime fighter character from a comic book or a dominatrix, not a justice on the court. In fact, I note that nowhere does our state constitution provide for the office of a "Madame Justice." Instead, we have only a Chief Justice and six associate justices and the term "justice" applies, regardless of the office holder's gender. N.C. Constitution, Article IV, § 6. I continued using the name among friends and acquaintances, but I never portrayed myself as anything other than what I was - an attorney.

When I ran in 2004, I created a feature on my website called Ask "Madame Justice." Again, I made it clear to everyone that I was not a justice or a judge. I continued this feature in this campaign. Attached are the questions at my site. You will note that the name "Madame Justice" is in quote, signifying that I do not hold myself out as a current or prior justice. As can be seen from a review of the questions and the answers, people have sought out free legal advice or opinions on various issues. I have never identified myself as a judge or justice nor have the voters been mislead into thinking that I am. Rather, I have provided free legal advice as a service to members of the public. In addition, it does not appear on either my candidacy's website or that of my employers that I am holding myself out to the public as someone connected with the courts or that clients can obtain special access if they wish to utilize my services. Nor has this been a type of ploy to attract clients. I have in no way obtained such clients or any type of remuneration in my professional capacity for my political views.