Hard-Fought Depo Didn't Cross Ethical Line, Grievance Panel Finds
After many years in practice, Andrew O’Keefe had a clean disciplinary record. But a hard-fought deposition put the Hartford, Conn., defense attorney in the hot seat after a Manchester woman contended that he tried to “harass, intimidate and embarrass” her with questions at the session.
A local grievance panel determined earlier this year that there was probable cause to pursue the complaint. But the Statewide Grievance Committee then dismissed the complaint, finding that the questions asked by O’Keefe were “fair inquisitions,” reports the Connecticut Law Tribune.
“A deposition is always an adversarial process, and any client will be uncomfortable in a deposition,” says attorney Michael Walsh, who represents O’Keefe. “There are inherent tensions that have to exist in litigation.”
