► Attorney Pamela Virtue of Scottsdale, AZ; ethical leprechaun Print E-mail
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Attorney Pamela Virtue of Scottsdale, AZ; ethical leprechaun

 
The state of Arizona presented Pamela A. Virtue with a law license by the Arizona Supreme Court in 1988 after she graduated from Gonzaga University law school.
 
The Arizona State Bar found Pamela guilty of the following misconduct.
  1. Charging client excessive (sham) litigation costs
  2. Charged compound interest w/o notifying client in writing as required
  3. Provided financial assistance to client
  4. Failed to provide accurate information to client
  5. Engaged in a conflict of interest
  6. Misconduct involved selfish or dishonest motives
Pamela represented Irena Ralph in a wrongful death case, which called for a contingent fee of 40% if the case settled or went to trial. Subsequently, the case was mediated for $300,000. During the mediation process, Irena asked Pamela if she would consider reducing her fee. About 10 days later, Pamela told Irena she would not reduce her fee of $120,000.
 
In the settlement statement prepared by Pamela billed Irena $1.00 a mile when the IRS rate was $0.55, meaning Pamela was gouging her client. She also billed her $180 for 180 faxes. It doesn’t cost $1 per fax to send it from one’s office. Pamela also billed Irena over $15,000 for compounded interest at 13% per annum.
 
While representing Irena, Pamela unlawfully provided her with financial assistance, which included:
  • $500 for emergency repairs to her car
  • $150 for payment of her phone bill
  • $300 to purchase appropriate clothing and hair styling for mediation session
  • $5,000 cash to purchase grave marker for her son
  • $790 to her landlord for apartment rent
Pamela’s fee agreement called for arbitration if a conflict arose regarding the fees claimed by an attorney. The fee arbitrator made several findings after reviewing the matter; he ruled that Pamela did agree to reduce her fee. He then ordered her to pay Irena $50,602, which include (a) $30,000 – 10% of $300,000 settlement, (b) $5,495 re: Pam’s estimated costs, and (c) $15,107 compounded interest.
 
As a consequence of his misconduct, the enablers for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Arizona Supreme Court punished Pamela by gifting her with a complimentary censure.
 
As we speak (ca. September 2010) Pamela practices at 7904 East Chaparral Road in Scottsdale, Arizona.
 

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