In an almost unprecedented turn of events, media giant Tribune Company recently depublished an exclusive interview it had managed to secure with famed trial attorney Thomas Girardi of Los Angeles-based Girardi & Keese.
The interview, which was initially published on June 23, 2011 by the Los Angeles Times (one of the Tribune's outfits), has since been depublished and is no longer available on the newspaper's website. See above.
While we were unable to determine the identity of the reporter who managed to snag the scoop, we did obtain a copy of the interview via "Google Cache."
During the exclusive, candid, and informative interview, Mr. Girardi spoke about his passion for the law and justice, his favorite cases, the U.S. justice system as compared to those of other countries, and his ongoing efforts to promote professionalism and civility in the legal profession.
The reporter at one point asked, "I know you've done a lot of work trying to encourage professionalism among lawyers and in other associations. What are some of the highlights?”
In response, Girardi focused specifically on his efforts among lawyers who are members of International Academy of Trial Lawyers, stating: "It's been an honor to be the president of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, which brings together the top advocates from around the world, and to watch 10 members of our firm be admitted to the American Board of Trial Advocates, which you have to have 20 trials to get in. It's very important for the lawyers who handle cases in court to work together to ensure we do everything we can to strengthen our justice system."
Touching on current events, Girardi – who was recently the subject of nationwide media coverage in connection with a $10,000 scholarship convicted felon Barry Bonds and the Barry Bonds Foundation contributed to one of Girardi's clients – stated:
"That's such a sad and despicable thing. You know, here is this man, Bryan Stow, who drives 300 miles to Los Angeles to go to a baseball game and celebrate his team's World Series win. And he will never be the same after that night. I love Los Angeles and the Dodgers, and we should not be a city that allows that situation to continue."
Asked what he likes about being a lawyer, Girardi stated, "Our justice systems, our courts, are the best things about this country. We have these very smart people who decide to become judges so they can help people settle their problems, or to preside over cases where the parties won't settle. In other countries, they settle their problems through violence, and here we go to court and everyone gets to give it their best shot at persuading a judge or jury."
Neither the interviewer nor the interviewee, however, explained why Stow's assailant chose to forego his chance to giving his best shot at persuading a judge or a jury.
Asked for final thoughts, Girardi stated, "It's really an honor to be a lawyer and help people. That's what I've tried to do my whole life, and you know, it's been a pretty good life.”
While speculation abounds, anonymous sources advise that the interview was depublished subsequent to a request pointing that the "exclusive interview" was, in actuality, nothing more than a paid advertisement.
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