ADMONITION NO. 25-20
CLASSIFICATIONS: Trust Account Commingling [Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.15(b)(2)] False or Misleading Communication [Mass R. Prof. C. 7.1] Firm Names and Letterhead [Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.5(d)]
SUMMARY: The respondent is a solo practitioner and had no partners or associates in his law firm. Beginning in 2020, for more than one year, the respondent used a law office sign and letterhead that implied the respondent had partners or associates in his law firm. The respondent’s use of misleading signage and letterhead violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.1 and 7.5(d).
In February 2022, the respondent deposited personal funds in his IOLTA account and disbursed the funds the following day to pay a personal obligation from his IOLTA account. No client funds were impacted by the transaction.
By using a firm name, letterhead, or other professional designation that stated or implied that the respondent practiced in a partnership or other organization when that was not a fact, and therefore constituted a false or misleading communication about the lawyer or the lawyer’s services, the respondent violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.1 and 7.5(d) (as in effect prior to October 1, 2022). By depositing personal funds into his IOLTA account to pay a personal obligation, the respondent violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.15(b)(2) (as in effect prior to October 1, 2022).
The respondent was admitted in 2008 and has no disciplinary history. The respondent agreed to accept an admonition for this misconduct.