| Attorney ID |
58179 |
| Attorney Name |
Stein , Scott M. |
| DBP Docket No. |
106 DB 2010 |
| Supreme Court Docket No. |
1684 DD No. 3 |
| County |
Philadelphia |
| Disciplinary Counsel |
Harriet R. Brumberg |
| Counsel for Respondent |
None |
| Decision Date |
2011-01-03 |
| Effective Date |
2011-03-02 |
| Case Digest |
Respondent is not a member of The Florida Bar or the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. A Florida resident retained Respondent to handle her Chapter 13 bankruptcy matter. Respondent referred the case to a Florida attorney, agreed to perform all the legal work, and agreed to split one-half of the retainer fee with the Florida attorney. After receiving the retainer fee, Respondent failed to place the funds in his IOLTA account or promptly pay the Florida attorney his portion of the retainer fee. In addition, Respondent made misrepresentations to The Florida Bar and ODC regarding his payment of the referral fee and the status of his IOTLA account. |
| Rule Violation(s) |
1.15(a); 1.15(b); 1.15(c); 1.15(e); 8.1(a); 8.1(b); 8.4(c); 8.5(b) |
| Discipline Imposed |
Suspension for 1 year, stayed in full with probation for one year |
| Points of Law |
The discipline imposed in this case is necessary to deter other attorneys from withholding fees owed to co-counsel and to encourage candor in attorney disciplinary proceedings. |
| Report/Opinion |
Download |
