Lawyer Discipline

Lawyer engaged in ‘sustained campaign of unfounded litigation,’ disbarment recommendation says

An Illinois lawyer should be disbarred for trying to gain control of a long-running case by filing several unfounded suits alleging malpractice, fraud and a “virtual kidnapping,” according to an ethics hearing board. The actions by Waukegan, Illinois, lawyer David Alan Novoselsky caused an “astonishing amount of harm” to several…

Jun 14, 2019 1:17 PM CDT

Second state adopts ABA model rule barring discrimination and harassment by lawyers

Maine has adopted an ABA model rule that bars discrimination and harassment by lawyers. Maine is the second state to adopt Rule 8.4(g) of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, according to Bloomberg Law. Vermont was the first. Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court adopted the new rule, which takes effect…

Jun 13, 2019 11:39 AM CDT

Judge engaged in ‘inappropriate and harassing behavior’ toward women, complaint alleges

Cook County Judge Mauricio Araujo “engaged in a pattern of inappropriate and harassing behavior toward women with whom he has interacted in professional settings and in his official judicial capacity,” according to a complaint filed Thursday by the state’s Judicial Inquiry Board. The complaint cites specific incidents in which Araujo…

Jun 7, 2019 2:37 PM CDT

Lawyer admonished after he’s caught on mic saying he has prosecutor in his pocket

The New Jersey Supreme Court has admonished a lawyer who was caught and recorded on a courtroom microphone saying he has the prosecutor “in my pocket.”

Jun 5, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Military prosecutor accused of tracking defense lawyers’ emails is tossed from case

A military prosecutor accused of attaching tracking software to emails sent to 13 defense lawyers and paralegals is no longer prosecuting the case of a Navy SEAL. A military judge in San Diego, Capt. Aaron Rugh, removed Cmdr. Christopher Czaplak from the case Monday, report the New York Times, the…

Jun 4, 2019 11:00 AM CDT

Lawyer previously suspended for wine theft is disbarred for breaking promise of free representation

A Cincinnati-area lawyer has been disbarred in Ohio for sending a woman an invoice for nearly $10,000 for his legal services after he had agreed to represent her for free. The Ohio Supreme Court disbarred lawyer Rodger William Moore of Alexandria, Kentucky, in a May 30 opinion. The Cincinnati Enquirer…

Jun 3, 2019 7:30 AM CDT

3 law partners suspended for failing to supervise trusted-but-embezzling office manager

Three partners in a former New York law firm have received six-month suspensions for failing to properly supervise a nonlawyer office manager who embezzled more than $200,000 from client funds. The name partners in the former Garden City law firm Karol, Hausman & Sosnik were suspended in May 29 opinions…

Jun 3, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Judicial immunity protects judge who was recorded disparaging lawyers, 6th Circuit says

A Michigan state judge caught on a recording disparaging two lawyers has immunity in their suit alleging a conspiracy with opposing counsel, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Cincinnati ruled Tuesday that the actions of Judge Paul Hamre did not fit within…

May 30, 2019 2:56 PM CDT

The 6 most important qualities for an equity partner

From a sociological perspective, law firms are very different from many other businesses. On the one hand, law firms have the clear distinction between fee earners and staff (the non-fee earners). Although both categories are part of the same organization, they form two distinct separate classes: an upper class (fee earners) and a middle class (staff). These two classes do not mix well. Even a nonlawyer CEO or COO will be seen in the end as part of the middle class.

May 30, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

Judge sanctions lawyer and clients $220K for alleged misconduct in guardianship case

A Texas judge has ordered a lawyer and his clients to pay more than $220,000 in sanctions for an alleged “vexatious litigation campaign” against a mentally incapacitated millionaire and his guardians. Judge Oscar Kazen imposed the sanctions against lawyer Phil Ross and his clients in a May 24 decision, the…

May 29, 2019 12:45 PM CDT

Judge suspended for negative comments about Trump and treatment of judicial staffer

The Utah Supreme Court has suspended a judge for “inappropriate political commentary” about President Donald Trump and for an attempt to use his judicial position to oust a court staffer from the premises. Judge Michael Kwan was suspended for six months without pay in an opinion filed May 22, report…

May 29, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

However you spell it, ‘humor’ or ‘humour’ is admissible in law practice

Are you sometimes overstressed practicing law? Are taking yourself too seriously? Is your sense of humor dusty, dormant or, even worse, muzzled? Lawyer Marcel Strigberger can help.

May 23, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

Former US attorney gives up his law license after he’s convicted for stalking

A former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia has surrendered his law license after his January conviction on two counts of aggravated stalking for harassing a former girlfriend. The Georgia Supreme Court accepted the petition by Richard Scott Thompson in a May 20 opinion, report the Daily Report…

May 22, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

Ethics probe opened after lawyer posts video of raccoon falling from his boat into water

The Florida Bar has opened an ethics probe of a lawyer who posted a video to Facebook showing a frightened raccoon tumbling into the water from his boat.

May 20, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Lawyer agrees to disbarment for dropping clients, accepting others without telling law firm

A Tucson, Arizona, lawyer has agreed to disbarment for his conduct while working as an independent contractor for a law firm. Zachary Schon was disbarred effective May 13, according to a press release by the State Bar of Arizona. He was admitted to law practice in 2007. The Arizona Daily…

May 17, 2019 7:30 AM CDT