By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY—The Law Offices of Seal Hanson, L.L.C. (www.sealhansonllc.com) is offering “…free legal defense for any Alabamian who is sued by Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Mike Hubbard, for exercising their 1st Amendment right to free speech;” this, according to one of the firm’s senior partners, Chad A. Hanson.
Hanson indicated that he became aware of Hubbard’s threat(s) though an article that appeared in AL.com about Hubbard’s attorney, J. Mark White, who threatened to bring legal action against anyone who spoke ill of the beleaguered Speaker.
Now that this news is slowly leaking out into the establishment media, it is worthy to note that the Alabama Political Reporter has been the only news organization to seriously chronicle Hubbard’s misdeeds and White’s threats.
Referring to White’s pledges of legal retribution against any who spoke out against Hubbard, Hanson said, “This is troubling and unprecedented in Alabama. It is an effort to intimidate people from engaging in the political process and voicing their opinion.”
To date, we know of only two individuals who have received a letter from White. The threats from White seem to be more about intimidation than any real action on his part. It is also believed to be a bigger part of White’s strategy, one that includes co-opting or intimidating the press and perhaps influencing a Grand Jury or public opinion.
In his written statement Hanson urged, “…anyone who is served with a summons and complaint from Hubbard to seek legal advice immediately.”
In September, 2013, Alabama Political Reporter made it known that Hubbard had hired White. Days later we reported that White’s intentions were to threaten anyone who he determined had made false or libelous statements about Hubbard.
In October of 2013, White sent a fawning letter to many in the State Press Corps, in an effort to solicit their help in painting Hubbard as an innocent man who had been libeled by “others” with malicious intent.
According to White, his client was a victim, and in a three-page press release disguised as a report, he was turning to those to whom he referred to as, “the legitimate press” to set the record straight.
White has done little more than blow-hard and bluster on behalf of his client Hubbard. Now it seems there are a few attorneys who don’t like his style and are ready to offer advice to those who are targets of Hubbard and his high-paid criminal defense team.
Editor’s note: No one at the Alabama Political Reporter has ever received a letter from J. Mark White or any other attorney concerning Speaker Mike Hubbard.
