[BBL2014] Grand jury declines to indict lawyer in barratry case

Link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6919798.html

Lawyer Lloyd Oliver was originally indicted in August 2009, accused of working with a homeless man to solicit defendants. The action by the grand jury effectively ends any charges of barratry against Oliver. Assistant Harris County District Attorney Kelli Johnson took the case back to the grand jury where Oliver testified and was given a no-bill. The indictment was thrown out earlier because of a procedural error.

The homeless man, Perry Mason, who was befriended by Oliver (from Oliver’s statement) sells cigarettes and bottles of water outside of the jail at 21 San Jacinto and remains under indictment, accused of soliciting clients by handing out Oliver’s business cards outside the jail.

Fruit for thought:
“Barratry is the unlawful splitting of attorney's fees with a non-lawyer. It also can refer to the unlicensed practice of law.”
“Texas law prohibits lawyers or anyone working for them to directly solicit business.”