May 18, 2009

Board of Overseers of the Bar97 Winthrop StreetAugust Maine

Dear Overseers Board;

I am requesting an investigation into Michael Waxman’s behavior as opposing counsel in my case including:

His personal involvement in the case and a clear attitude of a personal vendetta against me, for reasons unknown to me.

His threat to use improper influence; to use "the very substantial resources of my family” against me.

His constant action of improper legal action with the intent to harass and maliciously injure both me and my daughter.

His systematic harassment and intimidation of all my care-givers in a clear effort to render it impossible for me to maintain employment because I am left with no childcare.

On 29 April 2009 Mr. Waxman writes (please see attached email) in an email to my lawyer, Mr. Ken Altshuler:

"I want you and Lori to understand that I have every intention of staying in this case as long as it takes. Further, I have no compunction investing not only my time, but my resources, and the very substantial resources of my family, if necessary.

But also rest assured that THIS time, I am confident the judge will grant me my attorney fees when he hears about how horrendous Lori and you have made this situation, how you have worked in tandem to deny a loving father his parental rights. I have never felt so strongly about a case in my life.

This is personal for me at this point. You see, I care about Mila. For me, this is not a game."

Mr. Waxman sent this email three days after my former husband threatened not to return Mila, our two year old daughter, after a visit. At which point Mr. Waxman then returned with my former husband and Mila and, in front of Mila, harassed and intimidate my caregivers, leaving Mila traumatized and in tears. This is a direct violation of the court order which prohibits any type of confrontation in front of Mila.

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On 13 May 2009 Mr. Waxman after a series of emails, to my daycare provider’s lawyer finally threatened involving Health and Human Services and suggesting “a battle for another day.”

Frankly, I am not even clear that a licensed child care can choose to behave this way pursuant to the rules set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services.? I think that it is a requirement that each parent have the right to visit at any time, but that may be a battle for another day.

As a direct result of this email from Mr. Waxman to Little Earth’s lawyer I was given eight weeks notice, as in the Little Earth contract that either party can give notice at any point for any reason, requesting Mila to leave Little Earth daycare.

Little Earth’s lawyer had previously communicated to Mr. Waxman that because Little Earth is a small, private, home-based daycare there is a policy of not engaging in high conflict divorces. As my former husband had been under a Protection from Abuse order with supervised visits only for Mila for the past eight months, and was under this arrangement when I enrolled Mila in Little Earth, Little Earth’s lawyer informed Mr. Waxman of Little Earth’s policy that they would maintain contact with the parent who had originally formed the relationship.

On 15 May 2009 Mr. Waxman, with my daughter and her father, went, unannounced, to Little Earth daycare and attempted to force entry of Mila and her father to the daycare. At this point Stephanie Wright of Little Earth requested that I release her from our contract requiring eight weeks notice and terminate childcare for my daughter effective 15 May 2009. I have agreed to this.

According to Maine Professional Ethics Commission Guidelines, Mr. Waxman is in violation of implying Improper Influence and Financial Assistance and Improper Legal Action where his action serves to merely harass and maliciously injure both me and my daughter. It is my understanding that when someone claims something is “personal” and their client is “a friend” they are no longer professional engaged, as Mr. Waxman is clearly not. A known and stated conflict of interest means a professional must recuse him or herself.

I am copying the President of the Maine Bar, Virginia Davis who is aware of the situation.

Sincerely,

Lori Handrahan, Ph.D.S. Portland Maine207-221-7706

Cc: Ken Altshuler Virginia Davis

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