Ripple vs SEC: Attorney Deaton Says SEC’s Argument Is That William Hinman Is Both a “Client and Lawyer”  

The attorney seeking to represent 67,000 XRP holders is still not done lashing out at the SEC over its comments. 

Attorney John Deaton is still furious with the Securities and Exchange Commission over its recent claim that William Hinman’s documents in relation to his 2018 speech declared Ethereum a non-security.

SEC’s Quest to Protect Hinman’s Document

Recall that despite the SEC being ordered by the court to surrender Hinman’s documents to Ripple, the securities agency has launched several bids to keep the documents away from the blockchain company.

In April, the Securities and Exchange Commission launched a new bid to hold on to the Hinman documents by claiming that the document is protected by the attorney-client privilege.

Per the SEC, before drafting the June 18, 2018 speech, Hinman discussed with some SEC attorneys who gave him advice on the best way the speech should be presented.

The new claim has been widely criticized by Ripple and Individual Defendants, Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen, and attorney Deaton.

Deaton Puts SEC on Blast

Attorney Deaton is still not done criticizing the SEC’s recent attorney-client claims over the Hinman documents. He continues to comment on any issues related to the agency’s quest to keep records away from Ripple.

In his latest public criticism of the SEC’s attorney-client privilege claims, the outspoken legal expert noted that what the SEC meant by its comments was that Hinman was both an attorney and a client.

Explaining in detail, attorney Deaton noted that Hinman was giving his colleagues legal advice about the June 18, 2018 “Ethereum free pass speech,” and he was also receiving legal advice about the speech at the same time.

His explanation is the valid argument the Securities and Exchange Commission is trying to make.

Attorney Deaton’s comment is in response to a blog post about the upcoming conference scheduled by Judge Sarah Netburn to discuss the SEC’s recent assertion that the attorney-client privilege protects Hinman’s document.

The blog post’s title reads “Ripple vs. SEC: The Case Gets a New Twist as SEC Claims Hinman Was a Client.” The part where the poster said “SEC Claims Hinman Was a Client” caught the attention of attorney Deaton who said the claim is “only 1/2 correct.

“The headline is only 1/2 correct. Hinman was both the CLIENT and the LAWYER simultaneously. He was giving legal advice to people at the SEC and receiving legal advice at the same time regarding the speech. That’s the SEC’s true argument,” attorney Deaton tweeted.

The headline is only 1/2 correct. Hinman was both the CLIENT and the LAWYER simultaneously. He was giving legal advice to people at the SEC and receiving legal advice at the same time regarding the speech. That’s the SEC’s true argument. https://t.co/PQczTOKbTz

— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) June 3, 2022

Meanwhile, XRP holders are anticipating the upcoming conference scheduled to be held on June 7, 2022, where Ripple, SEC, and Judge Netburn will discuss the attorney-client privilege claims.

Interested XRP holders are urged to call designated numbers to listen to the conference proceedings.

– Advertisement –