The Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) in Boston has suspended an attorney from practicing law, following an investigation by the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers (“BBO”). In the matter of Lisa Beth Wilkins Baker, an attorney neglected her duties as a guardian ad litem in two client matters, and failed to cooperate with counsel for the BBO during disciplinary proceedings. Continue reading
Admonition No. 14-03: Massachusetts Attorney Violates Ethical Rules While Representing Client in Wrongful Termination Suit
The Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers (“BBO”) has issued an admonition against an attorney for failing to competently handle a legal matter, failing to seek his client’s lawful objectives, and failing to adequately communicate with his client. In Admonition No. 14-03, the attorney was hired to bring a wrongful termination suit on behalf of a municipal employee, who was terminated as the result of the terms of his union agreement, which favored employees with seniority.
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Resnick v. Baker, No. 13-P-234: Massachusetts Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Legal Malpractice Suit
The Massachusetts Court of Appeals, located in Boston, has affirmed a judgment dismissing a legal malpractice claim against a Massachusetts attorney. In Resnick v Baker, a client hired an attorney to represent him in a property dispute. The attorney obtained a favorable result for the client, but failed to timely file a motion seeking payment of the client’s attorney’s fees. The judge granted the opposition’s motion to strike the request for fees.
In re Daniel P. Byrnes, No. BD-2014-054: Attorney Disbarred for Stealing Client Funds
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”), located in Boston, has entered an order disbarring an attorney after finding that he kept client funds for his personal use. In the Matter of Daniel P. Byrnes, a lawyer was named the executor of his brother in law’s estate and facilitated the sale of the decedent’s house for a total of $395,000. The attorney deposited the sale proceeds into his Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Account (“IOLTA”), instead of opening a separate estate account for the funds.
In re Barry E. O’Neill, No. BD-2014-059: Attorney Suspended for Assisting in the Unauthorized Practice of Law
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) has entered an order suspending an attorney after finding that he helped a non-lawyer set up a law practice. In the Matter of Barry E. O’Neill, a lawyer, who was a business person and had never actively practiced law, helped a woman establish a law practice before she was licensed.
In re Eric J. Crane, No. BD-2014-052: Attorney Suspended for Falsifying Documents
The Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”), located in Boston, Massachusetts, has entered an order suspending an attorney after finding that he had falsely certified that he was covered by professional liability insurance. In the Matter of Eric J. Crane, an attorney accepted appointments from the Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services (“CPCS”) to represent indigent criminal defendants.
In re Jose Luis Serpa, No. BD-2014-025: Attorney Suspended for Charging Client Illegal Fees
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) has entered an order suspending a Boston Attorney after finding that he charged a client an illegal fee. In the Matter of Jose Luis Serpa, the Committee for Public Counsel Services (“CPCS”) appointed an attorney to represent a client in a criminal matter free of charge. Nevertheless, the attorney requested payment of $1,250 from the client, who then paid him $400.
In re Wendy Jane Rickles, No. BD-2013-121: Attorney Disbarred for Misappropriating Client Funds
The Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”), located in Boston, has entered an order disbarring a Massachusetts attorney after finding that she deposited client funds into her personal bank account and used the money for personal expenses. In the Matter of Wendy Jane Rickles, an attorney stole funds from two separate clients, and provided false information to two tribunals.
Canha v. Gubellini, No. 12-P-923: Massachusetts Appeals Court Affirms Dismissal of Legal Malpractice Action
The Massachusetts Court of Appeals, located in Boston, affirmed the dismissal of a legal malpractice action brought against a Massachusetts attorney. In Canha v. Gubellini, a client hired an attorney to represent her in a legal malpractice action against her former lawyer.
In re Reinaldo Gonzalez, No. BD-2013-100: Attorney Disbarred for Intentional Misuse of Client Funds
A single justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”), located in Boston, has entered an order disbarring an attorney after finding that he used client funds for personal expenses. In the Matter of Reinaldo Gonzalez, an attorney stole funds belonging to three separate clients.