Virginia Law Firm Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman, P.C served with Notice of Revocation of its Certificate

Unethical attorneys who violate the rules of Professional Conduct and state and federal code violations significantly threaten a law firm’s license and reputation. The cost of litigation defending complaints reaches hundreds of thousands of dollars. The other major threat is if the complaint is filed by a pro se litigant in the courts, who recognizes the facts of their case, has free time to conduct their research, and has a minimal filing fee to pay.

Such is the case with Julie S. Palmer and Michael Harman, partners with Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman, P.C., located in Richmond, Virginia, who are facing sanctions in Virginia’s Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court for their habitual unethical misconduct in court.

In Virginia, § 54.1-3937. Procedure for revocation of certificate of registration of professional law corporations allows “a complaint, verified by affidavit, filed by any person to a circuit court having jurisdiction where the alleged violation occurred, that any law corporation or professional limited liability company has willfully failed to comply with the applicable ethical standards of the Virginia Code of Professional Responsibility…”

On April 11, 2024, Nickolas Spanos, a pro se litigant, served a notice of his intention to file a verified complaint by affidavit with the circuit court for violating § 54.1-3937 to all the attorneys of Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman, P.C. The notice gave the law firm thirty (30) days to take “severe disciplinary measures” against Julie S. Palmer for her habitual violations of the Virginia Code of Professional Conduct (VCPC), Virginia and federal Codes, which include RICO violations. The Notice included evidence of Julie Palmer’s numerous violations in three sanctions filed in the CAV and SCV.

“Dear Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman, P.C,

I am giving you notice of my intention to file a complaint against your law firm pursuant to § 54.1-3937. Procedure for revocation of certificate of registration of professional law corporations.

Julie S. Palmer, Esq. has habitually violated the rules of the VCPC, Virginia, and Federal Codes in two cases in which she is opposing counsel.

I have attached a few Motions for Sanctions filed with the Court of Appeals and the SCV for your review.

As most of the HCCW partners are probably not aware of the criminal and civil liable actions of Julie Palmer, which include RICO violations, I intend to file a RICO civil claim against Julie Palmer and possibly your law firm.

Julie Palmer and Michael Harman have committed such severe extrinsic fraud upon the court that they not only bribe-influenced judges in my cases but are directly responsible for retired Judge Wilford Taylor's stroke in late February 2022, causing him severe disability. See SCV Motion for Sanctions

As I believe to be fair before filing any legal claim-complaint in the Courts, I am allowing you thirty (30) days to clean up this situation with Julie Palmer by taking severe disciplinary action and notifying me of such disciplinary measures.

Please note that ignoring this notice will not solve your law firm's problem but only make matters worse; my cases against Robert Freed should serve as a good example.”

Julie S. Palmer’s unethical misconduct was exposed in the City of Richmond Circuit Court, where she represented attorneys Robert L. Freed and Emily E. Kokie in Case No, CL21-4150 Spanos v. Freed et al. The case involved an ethics complaint filed by Spanos against Freed and Kokie, who conspired with their clients to defraud him of $1.3 million by defective service.

Palmer conspired with Freed and retired Judge Daniel T. Balfour to usurp the authority of the Virginia Supreme Court (SCV) by presiding over the case without being designated by the Chief Justice.

Spanos appealed to the Court of Appeals of Virginia (CAV), where he discovered that retired Judge Daniel T. Balfour had presided over two Spanos cases without the SCV's authority. Both instances involve Freed as the defendant and Julie Palmer as his counsel. The RVA court records show no designation order for retired Judge Daniel T. Balfour to preside over the cases CL21-4150 and CL23-2683.

Julie Palmer and her client, Robert Freed, face four sanctions filed in the CAV and SCV for numerous Virginia and federal code violations, which include:

1.     18 U.S. Code § 242- Deprivation of Rights under Color of Law.

2.     Virginia Code § 18.2-481. Treason defined

3.     Virginia Code § 18.2-482. Misprision of treason.

4.     18 U.S. Code § 1962- Prohibited activities (RICO Act)

5.     18 U.S. Code § 201 (b)(c) - Bribery of public officials

6.     18 U.S. Code § 1341 - Frauds and swindles

7.     18 U.S. Code § 1343 - Fraud by wire

8.     18 U.S.C. § 1503 Influencing an Officer

9.     18 U.S. Code § 1512 (c)(2) Tampering of a Witness,

10. 18 U.S.C. § 1513 (b) (1) Retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant

Julie Palmer and her associate, Michael Harman, managing partner of Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman, P.C were caught in ex parte communications with retired Judge Wilford Taylor by having him reverse an order in separate cases (CL21005758, CL21005759, and CL21006572) of Spanos in Henrico County Circuit Court.  Spanos discovered the ex parte communications and filed a Motion to Recuse Judge Wilford Taylor; shortly after filing the Motion, Judge Wilford Taylor suffered a stroke from the stress of being caught in Julie Palmer and Michael Harman’s corruption. See Julie Palmer's corruption causes stroke to Judge

Julie S. Palmer has begged the CAV and SCV to save her from Spanos's alleged “abusive behavior.” Spanos is exercising his constitutional rights to due process of law. Julie Palmer requested the CAV impose a pre-filing injunction on Spanos, but the CAV found no basis to grant her motion.

Julie Palmer could not justify her false statements and violations of § 8.01-271.1, signing of pleadings, motions, and other papers, and asked for a pre-filing injunction against Spanos in the SCV. Spanos countered by attacking Palmer and Freed, who now face additional sanctions in the SCV. See SCV Motion for Sanctions

White Supremacy in the Virginia Court of Appeals

Va. Appellate Court Justices Protect known White Supremist Judge Daniel T. Balfour

A complaint filed with the VGA exposes retired Judge Daniel T. Balfour as having close ties with Neo-Confederate organizations that have strong white supremist beliefs and that their heritage of pro-slavery should be preserved. Article on Complaint filed with VGA

The fact is that Virginia Appellate Justices Daniel Ortiz, Lisa Lorish, and Richard AtLee recognized that Daniel T. Balfour has strong ties to white supremist organizations and funds them by selling his book "13th Virginia Cavalry." Appellate Justices Daniel Ortiz, Lisa Lorish, and Richard AtLee, ignored the evidence in CAV Rec. No. 0706-22 that retired Judge Balfour committed treason by usurping the authority of the SCV and VGA. See Article on Bribery of Appellate judges

Daniel T. Balfour has been a judge for over twenty (20) years, eight (8) years as a presiding judge in Henrico County Circuit Court and twelve (12) years as a retired judge who is on recall. The SCV can recall retired judges, only by a designation order, to preside over cases where presiding judges in that judicial circuit have recused themselves or if the court is overloaded.

The most disturbing fact is that a known racist Judge (Balfour) has been presiding over circuit court cases in the City of Richmond for over twelve (12) years which has a population of 44% blacks and presided in the Henrico County for eight (8) years where the population of blacks is 29.6%.

The "13th Virginia Cavalry" was written in 1986 by Daniel T. Balfour which depicts Judge Balfour's ancestors fight to retain the rights to own and enslave African Americans. Judge Balfour "13th Virginia Cavalry" promotes and supports the heritage of pro-slavery and funds white supremist organizations that continue to recruit families and individuals to their events.

Daniel T. Balfour is a current member of the "13th Virginia Cavalry" Company I, Board Member of the Museum of the Confederacy and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The "13th Virginia Cavalry" Company I, is a white supremist organization which that continues to promote PRO-SLAVERY views and lifestyles to individuals and families through events in this current time of awareness.

13th Virginia Cavalry" Company I promotional flyer

The recruitment flyer states "The Company seeks to recreate Civil War-era battle tactics and emulate Civil War camp life. Company I, 13th Virginia Infantry Regiment is highly respected in the reenactment community. It is a family oriented unit based in South Central Pennsylvania with members from Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. From living history to battle reenactments, the 13th Virginia takes the field today to preserve the historic record of the War of the Rebellion and to help educate those who come to witness what we do. Don’t wait, Join now to be a member of the best Confederate reenactment unit anywhere.”

13th Virginia Cavalry Company I flag

Daniel T. Balfour's 13th Virginia Cavalry dedication page uses the same phrases as the promotional flyer used to organize events and recruit new members to their white supremacy Confederate community.

Part 2.Virginia Lawyer boasted in emails that Appellate Judges were bribed and it rang true!

Attorney Robert L. Freed is facing two serious cases in the Virginia Courts which he is accused of extrinsic fraud upon the court in conspiring with his clients to attempt a $1.3 million fraud and an ethics complaint to have his law license revoked for numerous ethical misconduct and criminal violations.

Richmond Circuit Court Case No. CL21-4150 Spanos v. Freed et al. is an ethics complaint filed against Robert L. Freed and Emily E. Kokie, who committed extrinsic fraud upon the court by obtaining a default judgment without serving the defendant. They hid the default judgment from the defendant, who only discovered it after 18 years, after the death of his mother and the default judgment was to be paid through her will.  

Robert Freed is represented by his counsel Julie S. Palmer and Michael Harman, who have entangled themselves in Freed's corruption. The prima facie evidence is strong against them so the only path to getting a decision in their favor was to have Freed's close friend and associate retired judge Daniel T. Balfour preside over the case and rule in Freed's favor.

The problem with that is that Daniel T. Balfour usurped the authority of the Supreme Court of Virginia (SCV) and the Virginia legislature, as retired Judge Balfour had not been designated by court order to preside over and enter orders in CL21-4150. The SCV confirmed in emails that they had no records of a designation order for Daniel T. Balfour to preside over CL21-4150.

Retired judge Balfour entered an order on February 17, 2022, dismissing the ethics complaint against his close friend Robert Freed and Spanos appealed the case to the Court of Appeals of Virginia (CAV) Rec. No. 0706-22.

Spanos filed numerous pleading giving undeniable evidence of Freed's fraud upon the court and Motion for Sanctions against Freed and his Counsel Julie Palmer and Michael Harman for violating the Virginia Code of Professional Conduct (VCPC), SCV rules and most importantly Virginia Codes for bribery.

The strongest evidence was a October 31, 2022, email by Robert Freed to the trustee and accountant to the Spanos Trust and Freed's legal assistance boasting that he was "I have been assured that his petition for appeal will be denied".

Robert Freed's admission violates VCPC Rule 8.4, 4. state or imply an ability to influence improperly or upon irrelevant grounds any tribunal, legislative body, or public official.

Despite the prima facie evidence of corruption against Robert Freed and his close personal friend retired judge Daniel T. Balfour, the CAV Justices Daniel Ortiz, Lisa Lorish, and Richard AtLee ignored Spanos' pleadings and failed to rule or address them in their January 18, 2024 Order dismissing the ethics complaint against Robert Freed.

Spanos affirmatively showed to the CAV that a miscarriage of justice had occurred by retired Judge Balfour’s lack of subject matter jurisdiction to preside and enter orders in CL21-4150, rendering the Trial Court’s Final Order void ab initio.

The Order entered by the CAV Justices Daniel Ortiz, Lisa Lorish, and Richard AtLee is shameless and gives further evidence of the “protection syndicate” in the Virginia Judicial system. The “protection syndicate” operates uncloaked and without fear of reprisals in the Courts, as they have become a hive that operates with ex parte communications to deprive pro se litigants if they dare seek to protect their Constitutional rights to Due Process. 

CAV Justices Daniel Ortiz, Lisa Lorish, and Richard AtLee knowingly acted arbitrarily, capriciously, and contrary to case law in deciding the Appellant’s case before this Court. 

The problem is that Daniel T. Balfour usurped the authority of the Supreme Court of Virginia (SCV) and the Virginia legislature, as retired Judge Balfour had not been designated by court order to preside over and enter orders in CL21-4150. The SCV confirmed in emails that they had no records of a designation order for Daniel T. Balfour to preside over CL21-4150.