School Files Suit Over College Professor/Attorney

Taft Law School Files Suit Over Ballot Designation of League of Women Voters Leader

SANTA ANA, Calif.-- September 03, 2008 --Robert K. Strouse, Dean of Taft Law School, announced today that a lawsuit has been filed challenging the ballot designation of a candidate for the Coast Community College District. Charlotte Pirch, who is president of an Orange County Chapter of the League of Women Voters, listed her profession as "College Professor/Attorney." According to Strouse, on numerous occasions Ms. Pirch has refused to provide any evidence that would support her claim that she is, or ever has been, a college professor.

Strouse commented, "It's disturbing that a leader of the League of Women Voters, an organization that for decades has had a mission of providing accurate information to voters, would engage in such conduct."

Strouse acknowledged that these types of lawsuits are rare and difficult to win. The election code only allows a small window of time to file the case and document facts. "There's a great deal of time pressure and it's costly. But recent Orange County School Board elections have demonstrated that ballot designations matter."

Over the past few election cycles, Taft Law School has identified many questionable ballot designations. Taft Law School takes a non-partisan position. "Local candidates from both major parties have engaged in this type of questionable conduct. A win in this case could deter others who might be tempted to violate the election laws in the future."

In an effort to reduce the cost involved in challenging ballot designations, Taft Law School will provide at no cost to future candidates, copies of its pleadings in this case. Taft Law School is not a law firm and does not represent clients, but making available the pleadings in this case might help reduce costs to future candidates.

About Taft Law School

Taft Law School (www.TaftU.edu) is a member of The Taft University System. It is the oldest nationally accredited distance learning law school having offered graduate degree programs in law since 1984. It presently offers both Juris Doctor and Master of Laws Programs.

Contacts

Taft Law School
Robert K. Strouse, 714-850-4800