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Ex-client criticizes candidate

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published July 27, 2006

An ex-client of the Democrat frontrunner for attorney general, state Sen. Skip Campbell, says Campbell agreed to settle a 2002 car accident lawsuit without his knowledge.

Fred Powell of Largo says Campbell waived Powell's right to about $40,000 in legal fees without consulting him. In exchange for the waiver, the defendant in the case, State Farm Insurance, agreed not to appeal.

Powell, who filed a complaint with the Florida Bar in January, told a reporter he believes he is entitled to the additional money.

"He said he told me about the settlement. He said that was good enough," Powell said. "Well, I don't remember it."

The bar's 17th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee, which investigated the charge, found no evidence Powell was unaware of the settlement. But in an opinion issued July 6, the nine-member committee urged Campbell, a state senator from Tamarac, to better document his agreements with clients.

The committee called Campbell's actions an oversight.

On Wednesday, Campbell said Powell's complaint was politically motivated and that Powell was well aware of the settlement.

"It's clear he's trying to muddy the water," said Campbell, in his first campaign for statewide office. "It's the biggest bunch of bunk I've ever heard in my life."

Campbell exceeded most anyone's expectations in the car accident case, both he and Powell said. After an initial settlement offer of $1,000, Campbell ultimately won $117,000 from a jury.

The wealthiest member of the Florida Senate, worth about $12.2-million, Campbell consistently has been rated one of South Florida's top trial lawyers.

He has received an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is the highest rating given by the publication, and has been president of the Broward County Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association of Broward County. From 1988 through 1996, Campbell also was on the board of governors of the Florida Bar.

He is facing another Broward County lawyer, Merrilee Ehrlich, in the Democratic primary for attorney general.

The winner will face former Rep. Bill McCollum, R-Longwood.

[Last modified July 27, 2006, 08:39:55]