Criminal Justice
Trial Delay Sought for Non-Lawyer Who Allegedly ‘Practiced’ for a Decade
Posted Oct 13, 2008, 12:39 pm CST
By Martha Neil
Saying that they expect their client may be charged in other jurisdictions, lawyers for non-attorney Howard Kieffer are seeking a trial delay in in a fraud case related to his admitted lack of a law license.
Kieffer, 53, was scheduled to go to trial next month U.S. District Court in Bismarck, N.D., on charges of mail fraud and making false statements, reports the Denver Post. However, it appears that he may also be charged elsewhere, his lawyers say in a motion. They say they are seeking a postponement so that they can adequately prepare his case.
As discussed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts, Kieffer has reportedly "practiced" for a decade in federal courts in 10 jurisdictions, even though he was never licensed as a lawyer.
"Some clients have said they paid Kieffer thousands of dollars to represent them," the newspaper recounts. "Gwen Bergman, who was convicted of trying to hire a hit man to kill her son's father, says her family paid Kieffer more than $50,000."
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: "Unlicensed ‘Lawyer’ Allegedly Practiced for a Decade in 10 States"
Comments not appearing after a few seconds? Try emptying your cache ("Temporary Internet files"), making sure Javascript is activated, and refresh this page.