Mr. Mark Criser
Staff Attorney
Supreme Court of Florida
500 South Duval Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1925

Dear Mr. Criser:

This letter follows our telephone conversation of May 9, 2000. Thank you for taking time to speak to me in reference to my problem.

As I stated to you, I am entitled to an impartial hearing of my grievance. I did not receive an impartial hearing of my grievance because the Florida Bar has a conflict of interest arising out of their relationship with the attorney against whom I have filed the grievance. I have, therefore, written to Chief Justice Harding of the Supreme Court of Florida, requesting that he exercise the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction over the Florida Bar, and arrange for me to receive an impartial hearing of my grievance. I sent letters on the following dates regarding this matter: January 14, January 24, February 18, March 7, March 14, March 21 and April 17, 2000. I received one response from Chief Justice Harding dated January 19, 2000, and no responses to any of the additional correspondence.

In our conversation of May 9th, I requested telephone contact with Chief Justice Harding, to verify that he has received my correspondence, and to confirm that he personally read my initial correspondence dated January 14th, and that he personally signed the January 19th letter in response. You responded, "that is not going to happen." You also advised me in that conversation, that "the Supreme Court of Florida has no jurisdiction over the Florida Bar." I asked for written documentation from you on this last issue, but you refused my request. Further, you told me that your immediate superior is Chief Justice Harding.

I am a resident of the State of Florida requesting direct contact with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida. Please tell me the reason why this is not possible.

I have requested an impartial hearing of my grievance against Attorney Ronald C. Kopplow. Mr. Kopplow is an attorney who represents Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company. Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company was formed and created by the Florida Bar. Please tell me why a conflict of interest does not exist, for the Florida Bar to determine my right to a hearing before a grievance committee based on my request to them.

I await your response.

Sincerely,

Meryl M. Lanson