| ► Attorney Maurice Mason, Jr. of Lowell, MA; repeat offender |
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Attorney Maurice Mason, Jr. of Lowell, MA; repeat offender
The Massachusetts Supreme Court presented Maurice P. Mason, Jr. with a law license in 1980.
The Board of Bar Overseers found Maurice guilty of the following misconduct.
Maurice’s 1st bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree
In one matter, Maurice was hired to represent a client in a bankruptcy filing. After filing the Chapter 7 petition for his client, the trustee filed an adversary proceeding claiming that certain property transfers from the client to his wife were fraudulent conveyances. After negotiations, a judgment was entered, avoiding the transfers and allowing the bankruptcy trustee to recover the property.
The house occupied by the client and his wife was later sold by the trustee. Maurice advised the client that he was entitled to a $7,500 homestead exemption from the sale of the house. After the sale, the client’s wife received her share of the proceeds from the sale, however, the trustee advised Maurice that his client would be unable to claim proceeds from the sale of a fraudulent conveyance recovery as exempt.
Because the original bankruptcy petition prepared and filed by Maurice didn’t list the marital home as exempt, Maurice filed a motion to amend Schedule B in order to claim his client’s $7,500 exemption. The trustee filed an objection, which Maurice never responded too. Subsequently, the trustee’s objection was upheld by the court.
Several months later, the client learned that his bankruptcy case had been closed. He contacted Maurice, who falsely advised him that the case was closed due to an error by the court. He further falsely advised him that he had filed a motion for relief. Maurice then provided the client with a copy of the alleged motion for relief and accompanying cover letter to the bankruptcy court. Maurice then lied to the client by telling him that he was waiting for the court to act on the motion.
Maurice never filed a motion for relief and he never intended to do so. Maurice’s sole intent in preparing the motion was to conceal from his client the true status of the bankruptcy case.
As a consequence of his misconduct, the apologists for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Board of Overseers punished Maurice by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.
Maurice’s 2nd bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree
In one mater, Maurice represented a husband and wife for injuries resulting from an auto accident. Subsequently, the case was settled for $17,000. Two years later, Maurice filed a lawsuit against the client’s insurance carrier claiming property damage, emotional distress, etc. due to the insurer’s alleged failure to pay certain property damages that resulted from the auto accident.
About two-years later, the trial court granted the insurer’s motion for summary judgment. Maurice then appealed the dismissal; however, the Court of Appeals upheld the trial court’s dismissal. Maurice then filed a lawsuit with the Federal District Court against the Court of Appeals claiming a denial of due process because the trial judge refused to schedule a hearing on the insurer’s motion to dismiss. Maurice’s frivolous lawsuit was later dismissed by the federal court.
Maurice did not tell his clients of the dismissal of the second action. Instead, Maurice embarked on a pattern of deception and lies that lasted for over seven years. Maurice repeatedly lied to his clients, leading them to believe that the claim against their insurer was still viable, and that the case was pending in the Supreme Judicial Court. Maurice also sent letters to his clients wherein he repeated the same bald faced lies.
In addition, there were seven (7) more clients involved in civil lawsuits wherein Maurice engaged in the same type of deceit and lies. In these cases his lies and deceit went on for five years and, in several instances, lasted more than ten years. In each instance, the client’s case or claim had either been dismissed, denied, or was not being litigated.
As a consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Board of Overseers punished Maurice by gifting him with a complimentary 30-month suspension of his law license.
As we speak (March 2013) Maurice practices at 147 East Merrimack Street in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Warning: Maurice does not carry legal malpractice insurance
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