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Matter Of Parker Summary

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In the Matter of Parker, 241 A.D.2d 208, 670 N.Y.S.2d 414, the defendant was charged with violating code of professional responsibility by aiding a non-lawyer in the unauthorized practice of law; by sharing legal fees with a non-lawyer; by neglecting a legal matter entrusted to him; by intentionally failing to seek the lawful objectives of his client through reasonably available means; and by failing to promptly pay or deliver to his client properties requested by her. The defendant was not available during the weekend to represent his client in a foreclosure sale and wouldn’t be present during the face to face consultation. He left his services to a non-lawyer to prepare the contract, which was signed that afternoon by his client. He allowed the …show more content…

The court also found the defendant to be in violation of handling a legal matter without preparation adequate in the circumstances, by allowing a non-lawyer to prepare a contract of sale on his behalf. The appellate court imposed a three-month suspension on the defendant. In the case of Attorney James Johnson, early on the morning of the closing, his paralegal Susan sent the original closing documents to Mr. Johnson, who signed them and sent them back to Susan before noon that day. Unlike in the Matter v. Parker, 241 A.D.2d 208, 670 N.Y.S.2d 414, James Johnson did not fail to supervise his paralegal or allowed her to prepare the contract on his behalf. Mr. Johnson signed the document himself and sent them back the very same day which implies a care of duty on his part. The paralegal conducted the closing making sure all documents were signed and settled. She did not represent the client in court or attained the role of a

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