David L. Wright

I was introduced to Al by his lover Kris, who served in the Air Force while I was performing defense investigations and Art 15 representation for the Area Defense Counsel. Kris told me that the lawyer he was working did not want to represent Al. Kris asked me if I could refer him to someone. I tol...d him that I knew David who served during the Vietnam the same period I did with SA. Al wanted me to represent him in the worker’s compensation (WCAB case) case while David represented him in the civil rights action. I agreed. Al agreed he pays my cost/out of pocket expenses. The WCAB case & civil rights action were intertwined. Al agreed that I would be obligated to discuss and provide David with of the documents I would receive. Al agreed. David agreed that he would reimburse me for my cost/out of pocket expenses from any retainer from Al, to lessen a financial hardship on Al. I received hundred of documents from Al /employer. I sent copies to David. Al is mistaken when he states that David only consulted with me once. On the contrary, every letter I wrote on behalf of Al was sent to David for his review and approval, to make sure that I do not unintentionally interfere or jeopardize the civil rights case. In addition, any telephone meeting with Al’s employer was also approved and discussed with David. Moreover, I met, spoke with and attended various medical appointments with Al, and then I would brief David on each appointment, my discussions with the treating physicians, etc. In turn, I kept Al informed. The truth is that not only David reviewed any document I sent to the employer or the employer’s attorneys or the Board of Supervisors for San Francisco, but, the documents were discussed, evaluated and edited by Kris and Al, then David would review them again, and then they went out. I had moved to Southern California, and boarded at David’s house for financial reasons in handling several cases in Southern California with David, and other attorneys. I moved back to Northern California because Palm Springs was too hot for me...suffered several seizures. I do not understand why Al would claim that “David was never authorized by me or my agents to make any disbursement to Chuck or other outside parties.” It was agreed that my cost would be covered by the retainer that David had secured, so that it would not cause Al any further cost or hardship. I had driven with Al from San Francisco to his Aunt’s house, on his way to his lover in Florida, and these issues were discussed in detail with Al and approved by him. I am surprised that Al would think that I would pay for the cost to prosecute his administrative WCAB case, wasn’t enough that I was not going to take a percentage from the case and that I was flying back and forth in his case at my cost. David and I spend hours and hours discussing the volume (thousands of documents, medical, employer’s, correspondence, etc.). Al wanted me to keep David informed, and I don’t understand why Al would think that David should not be compensated. I do not know what has been requested from David. When I read Al’s report I attempted to contact David but was unsuccessful. As far as David’s professional performance, I have been present when David was retained by a local felon who was facing 5 felonies for forgery and perjury of DMV documents. David had the case dismissed even before the arraignment. In addition, David assisted that same person to have his license reinstated within two days of being permanently revoked. It has been my experience that when David undertakes to represent someone, he gives his all. It is sad that Al has published such an article about an honourable man, who is vigilant, acts in a professional manner. What is wrong with David, I must admit, is that he handles complex criminal/civil litigation and then after winning, the clients still want reimbursement, notwithstanding a bill might be outstanding.

I met David over lunch at Agua Caliente Spa and Casino in fall 2009, through paralegal Chuck A. Spiteri. Chuck was handling my Workers Comp representation and David was hired 11/28/09 through a contingency contract to file my Discrimination Case against City and County of San Francisco. After a respo...nsive week of negotiating terms of the contract, David accepted my $15,000 paid in full through a Wells Fargo electronic transfer. After May 2010 consultation with SF Discrimination Attorney Edith Benay and repeated failed attempts to get updates from David on my case, I requested documentation of all funds spent on my case. Severeal promises of expenditure documentation were made in writing and on the phone. David apparently performed one day of case consultation with Chuck Spiteri in Palm Springs but no other work was performed to my knowledge. David severed his work relationship with Chuck and both said that some funds were disbursed to Chuck for printing expenses. David was never authorized by me or my agents to make any disbursement to Chuck or other outside parties. In summer of 2010 after hiring WC Attorney Jeffrey Fettner, I requested in writing for David to return all unspent funds to me. As of 1/28/11, I have not received any refund or any itemized expense report. Neither Chuck or I know if David is still residing in Palm Springs or back in Texas where he previously represented death row criminals.