CLE Double Billing Draws Suspension

A recent decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is summarized below

The respondent admitted the factual allegations and disciplinary rule violations charged in the Petition for Discipline. The respondent was a partner in the litigation department of a large national law firm. He organized a CLE conference in April 2019. He worked with the sponsor to prepare for the conference and he arranged for and paid, out of his personal funds, $1,952.85 for wine for the reception. After the conference, the respondent submitted documentation to, and sought reimbursement from, both the conference sponsor and his law firm. Both reimbursed him in full. When the law firm discovered what the respondent had done, it filed a complaint with Bar Counsel. The respondent immediately reimbursed his firm the full amount.

Respondent was suspended for a year and a day.

Reuters reported on his recent employment

Delta Capital Partners Management LLC, a private equity firm focusing on litigation and legal finance, has tapped DLA Piper partner Jonathan Sablone as the newest member of its team.

Sablone, who joined DLA Piper in October 2019 after an almost 25-year run at Nixon Peabody, stepped into his new role this week at Delta as managing director and global director of originations.

(Mike Frisch)