An item from my post last Friday:

LADY DUI.

Have you seen the billboard for the attorney who specializes in drunk driving cases? Markets herself as Lady DUI.

"Sir Manslaughter" can't be far behind.
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Lady DUI is Teresa DiNardi. She works for Shelton-based Ruane Attorneys At Law. The firm specializes in DUI cases.
My first big hint was that the web address contains “dui.” I’m sharp like that.

My second big hint was the web site itself, which says, in part: “Ruane Attorneys has dedicated our practice to the focused defense of DUI cases, from initial arraignment at court through appeal to our Supreme Court. By only focusing on DUI defense, we commit ourselves to finding ways to win these cases whenever possible.”
The web site says Ms. DiNardi has been practicing for about a year, hired after her graduation from law school.

I got a letter from Lady DUI on Thursday, dated July 31st. Ms. DiNardi was not pleased with my brief observation.
As far as I know, you don’t have to offer equal time in the blogosphere.
But in most cases, I think that’s the fair thing to do, and I think this is one of those cases.

Here is MOST of her letter. (I was going to put it all in, but it’s long, and I didn’t realize I’d have to transcribe it myself. My personal assistant has the day off.)
((By the way, that last sentence was a joke. I’m a hoot, huh?))

I’ll be back afterward.
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Dear Mr. Brooks:

I happened upon your blog recently and I noticed you took offense to my billboard which referred to me as Lady DUI. You, I believe, make a caustic comment that “Sir Manslaughter” wouldn’t be far behind.

As a journalist who benefits from the 1st amendment, I find it curious that you would fail to take full advantage of our nation’s cornerstone principles yet fail to recognize the other constitutional bedrocks of our great nation.

As an educated man, I am sure you appreciate that an attorney who defends certain people doesn’t necessarily endorse the crimes alleged. Have you ever questioned any attorney whom you have interviewed regarding a murder defendant if they endorsed murder? Of course not, because such an allegation is ludicrous. However, you seem to fall into the camp of small-minded people who presume that a person who would engage in the defense of someone charged with DUI is a person who endorses DUI.

I am not in favor of driving under the influence. I am on the roads of our state daily, and I have family members and friends who are at risk when the drunk driver is on the road.

As a person with some notoriety and influence in our community, I would respectfully request that you choose not to lump me in the category of someone who is in favor of committing crimes. Each day I represent persons charged with DUI. I have represented guilty people and I have represented innocent people. Each person charged deserves to be afforded the rights our laws provide.
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OK, I’m back now.

I couldn’t agree with Ms. DiNardi more. Everybody…guilty or not guilty of any crime…deserves full representation.
And I never for a moment was under the impression she’s FOR driving under the influence.
I am well aware decent people can do stupid things (hello!!!), and need lawyers such as Ms. DiNardi.
Anyone who enjoys a cocktail (hello again!!!) could suddenly find a need for her phone number.
Repeat offenders…well…that’s another thing.

But my initial observation was never about her expertise, or my view of the judicial system.
This was all about how her talent is being marketed…how she’s being sold to potential clients.
Her firm’s web site says Ms. DiNardi “is available to represent you on your DUI case at rates much lower than Attorney Ruane.”
Then why isn’t HE on a billboard that calls him “Sir DUI” or even “King DUI”?

Hey, whether or not I find it more amusing than appropriate (and I do)…the advertising campaign is working. We’re talking about it. So she and her bosses are getting their money’s worth.
Which…again…could give firms specializing in other crimes ideas.

But that’s how we got started on this post in the first place.
So that’s my cue to say I think I’ll take a long weekend. See you next week.