When the Flood Wasn’t Real: How a Tenured Professor Fought Back Against a Manufactured Lawsuit: Legal Ethics, Self-Representation, and the Weaponization of Civil Procedure

Abstract

This article concludes with three specific reforms for preventing abuse of process and strengthening protections for pro se litigants. This article presents a critical reflection on the author’s experience navigating a civil lawsuit based on fabricated claims of property damage. Drawing on legal documents, procedural records, and personal narrative, the article examines systemic vulnerabilities in civil litigation that allow baseless lawsuits to proceed — particularly when unethical counsel is involved. The case is explored through the lens of legal ethics, power asymmetries, and the resilience of self-representation, offering insights for legal reform and professional accountability.