Saturday, March 7, 2009

Unethical Billing Practices

For the third time, lawyer Thomas W. Pearlman is in trouble for unethical billing practices, including alleged fee-gouging.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court’s chief disciplinary counsel, David D. Curtin, has filed ethics charges against Pearlman.

The complaint alleges that Pearlman failed to provide competent counsel to a client, charged unreasonable fees and then, when the client hired a new lawyer, failed to refund fees he had been given but not earned.

The allegations stem from a complaint filed by Robert Sisto, who hired Pearlman in connection with probate and estate matters for his late brother Richard Sisto who died last March.

Full Article and Source:
Pawtucket lawyer again facing disciplinary charges

More information:
Fee-gouging complaint about lawyer Thomas W. Pearlman

8 comments:

  1. This lawyer should be disbarred period.

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  2. I wonder how many complaints it took to the Bar to get results.

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  3. "For the third time, lawyer Thomas W. Pearlman is in trouble for unethical billing practices, including alleged fee-gouging."

    Ethics charges? How about criminal charges for using his position to FRAUDULENTLY BILL for personal enrichment.

    These people treat us like fools. We are not fooled, it's just that we don't have a voice, we are the little people, the peasants who serve the elite and the powerful.

    CROOKS! who get away with their crimes just throw the word "unethical" at the financial predator.

    Are prisons are filled with "unethical" convicted offenders - how many belong to the ABA?

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  4. Countless times I've seen such lawyerly price-gouging, esp in elder cases, without the courts caring a bit. Hopefully this will begin to correct the situation.

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  5. This guy Pearlman sounds like a typical guardianship lawyer!

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  6. I think there are actually courses to teach attorneys how to bill and reap the benefits. (with no returns for the client).

    It is interesting that I am currently forced to file a complaint because my third, current, incompetent,and immoral attorney is in trouble with ARDC. (He pissed off another attorney). so he'll be gone anyway.

    It is interesting that his current problem, (he has been in trouble before) relates somewhat to guardianship. If you are interested, go to ARDC, (Illinois) recent complaints, and you'll see Attorney Barry's name. We all should be reading the ARDC website to familiarize ourselves with legalese. It helps.

    Because an attorney hasn't been disciplined means nothing, except they have pull or contribute well.

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  7. I'd say the 'three strikes law' should apply; lock'em up and throw away the key.

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  8. Just imagine how many complaints are dismissed by the ARDC, thus avoiding being posted to their website.

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