Jim Walden: “Protecting people from the power of government” and bicycles

Guess who was recognized as a lawyer who “leads by example” by the New York Law Journal on September 19th?  Jim Walden, of course, channeling Howard Beale.

Walden offered this quote, without apparent irony:

It is difficult to right a wrong inflicted by the government, said Mr. Walden.

“Before I take a case I evaluate whether the client will get vindication without intense negotiation or litigation,” he said.

The Law Journal notes his pro bono work, some of which is quite admirable:

• “He filed a class action against the Social Security Administration, alleging a systematic failure to fairly adjudicate disability claims.”
• “He challenged the federal government’s practice of deporting aliens after two unrelated drug possessions.”
• “He sued the government to restore food stamp benefits to more than 11,000 disabled New Yorkers”
• “[He] represented a transgendered man suing a state-funded drug treatment center.”

Disabled people, wrongly deported immigrants, the transgendered…and people who don’t like a bike lane.  Hmm…

The piece says that “Mr. Walden so far this year has devoted at least 800 hours to pro bono.” I wonder how many of them were for Iris Weinshall.