Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts drop-in clinic - 3/4

Where: Constellation Gallery at 511 Congress Street 
When: Fri. 3/4 from 5:30-7 PM.

During March 4th's First Friday Art Walk, we will be hosting a drop-in clinic at our office in the Constellation Gallery at 511 Congress Street from 5:30-7 PM.
Interested artists and arts organizations will be able to spend 15 minutes speaking with a Maine VLA volunteer lawyer Brad Lawwill about a law-related issue of concern to them.  Depending on the issue, the Maine Attorney Law may point the artist or arts organization in the right direction to find an answer on their own, or assist in arranging for a volunteer lawyer to get involved. Appointments will be made on a first come, first serve basis, starting at 5:30 PM.

More info at MEVLA

Pierce Atwood Looking at Commercial St. Building

Apparently the law firm Pierce Atwood, who is currently at One Monument Square, is considering moving into the large brick building at 258 Commercial St.  The building would need to essentially be rebuilt to accommodate offices, and the first floor would still need to be reserved for marine uses.  Considering the building is a huge eyesore on the waterfront (though popular for photographers*), this would be a positive development.  Portland Press Herald:

O'Connor declined to name any locations, but confirmed that the law firm is considering moving to 258 Commercial St., a five-story brick building next to the Portland Fish Exchange. Except for a few small tenants, the building is now occupied only by Cumberland Self Storage

* the photo that is the backdrop to this blog's title is of the building

Ambulance Chaser

Duncan Disbarred for Life

Certainly not surprising - his family must be so proud he is the first!

"John D. Duncan, the former Verrill Dana lawyer who stole $300,000 from his clients and the Portland firm, has been permanently disbarred by the Maine Supreme Court.

Duncan becomes the first lawyer in Maine history to get a lifetime ban from practicing law, according to the state board that oversees the profession."

- MaineToday.com

Giving new meaning to a 401K plan

PressHerald reports the latest on the Verrill Dana attorney who stole client funds, and his own partner's money.

Also Monday, the firm disclosed the amount -- $401,000 -- that former partner John D. Duncan is accused of stealing. The Falmouth resident had been a trusts and estates lawyer for Verrill Dana for 29 years, and was expelled by the firm in November.

Ginn said an external audit showed Duncan embezzled $185,000 that was supposed to have been shared with the more than 50 partners in the firm. The audit showed Duncan stole $109,000 from a total of 10 client accounts, beginning in 1997 and ending in January of last year. Duncan also allegedly overbilled three clients for a total of $107,000. Ginn said those totals could change, as the firm continues its own review and receives information from former Duncan clients.

Nemitz on the Verrill Dana saga

Law firm bobbles theft case: "And what about Duncan? Rommel said she was told the executive committee had declared the whole mess an 'internal matter' and voted unanimously to keep him on after he returned the $77,500 he'd taken from the client. (The elderly woman, never the wiser, had passed away last January.)

Rommel said she was dumbstruck that Duncan had kept his job. She went on a previously scheduled vacation and, upon returning in August, was summoned to meet once again with Warren. She said he offered her four weeks' back pay and again invited her back to work."