Sanction: Pro Bono Service

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has ordered an attorney to perform at least 20 hours of pro bono service as a sanction for billing misconduct in connection with his representation of juvenile guardianship clients.

The attorney had compounded the misconduct by falsely claiming that the misconduct was due to staff error. In fact:

...further investigation revealed that the respondent has no staff. When
confronted with that information by Disciplinary Counsel, the respondent acknowledged
that he had in fact prepared the invoices, that he was unsure as to the proper method of
submitting invoices for guardianship work, and that he concocted a story about an
incompetent staff to hide his embarrassment.

The matter will be dismissed on completion of the required hours of service. (Mike Frisch)