Has anyone had any dealings with someone named Henry Higgins? I received this email from him yesterday:
"You are practicing law without a license by telling people that cash gifting is legal, when it is not. Read this from the Illinois State Bar Association's newsletter of April 16. Oh, and by the way, I found a law that makes it legal for me to send you a bomb as long as I don't use the postal service ;> "
Gift club guru in default
The ISBA and people of Illinois scored a victory against the unauthorized practice of law on March 15, when a 7th Judicial Circuit judge found David Russell Myrland in default and permanently enjoined him from advising gifting clubs that their activities are lawful.
The ISBA and President Herb Franks joined Attorney General James E. Ryan in a complaint against Myrland, a non-lawyer in Washington state, for telling Illinois consumers that he is qualified to render opinions on the legality of pyramid schemes that are prohibited by statute.
Judge Robert J. Eggers declared Myrland in contempt of court, pursuant to the Attorney Act, and entered a permanent injunction against him and "all persons, corporations or other entities acting by, through, under or on behalf of him..."
Myrland is barred in Illinois from misrepresenting himself as authorized to render professional legal opinions, selling opinion letters and collecting fees for legal services, and representing orally and in writing that participation in gifting club activities is not a criminal violation.
ISBA assistant counsel Stephanie Hughes and assistant attorney general Karen S. Winberg-Jensen filed the motion for an order of default on Jan. 8.
Myrland had been served July 26 in Illinois and July 31 in Colorado. His answer, with counterclaim and motion to dismiss, was filed Aug. 18 and struck down by the court Oct. 24 with an order that he file a responsive pleading in 30 days. None was received.
Myrland's response to the March 15 injunction was to begin offering his personal opinion letters and CD-ROMs at reduced prices until March 20, via the Internet, in a statement headed "Government's wrongful oppression of gifting clubs." Illinois is among the completed packages for 31 states he advertised at $40, down from $75.
Myrland also offered to speak to interested groups "about government's rampant misenforcement of the law against gifting clubs." He added that "knowledge of government's limitations imposed by law and your legal posture will be of prime importance if your activities come into question, and the peace of mind gained . . . is priceless."
Apparently he has seen my website
www.wadofbills.com on Craig's list. In that ad, I only placed my website link. I never made any claims to practice law. Is there some misinformation on my website?
He has previously sent me the following about my site:
"Site is falsely claiming to provide non-taxable income. Classic fraud a la Jonathan Parr and William Osterhout."
I certainly don't appreciate being threatened with a bomb. Any thoughts or advice on this?
Jerry