Attorney Steven Murra of Acton, MA; losing cheater

The state of Massachusetts presented Steven E. Murra with a law license in 1972 after he graduated from American University Law School.

The Board of Bar Overseers found Steve of the following misconduct.

In one matter, Steve represented a married couple in an auto accident case. Contrary to the rules, Steve did not provide the clients with a written contingent fee agreement. The wife sought compensation for her physical injuries and the husband for loss of consortium.

The wife subsequently asked Mike to withdraw from representing her in the case because she had decided to retain new counsel. Her contingent agreement with new counsel entitled him to 40% of any recovery on her claims. Mike withdrew from the wife’s case shortly thereafter; however, he continued to represent the husband.

About a year later, the wife’s new counsel negotiated a resolution of her claims with all the defendants for $275,000. Mike did not participate in the negotiations leading to the settlement of the wife’s claims. He considered himself entitled to asset a lien on the settlement, but did not do so.

Following settlement of the wife’s claims, defense counsel contacted Mike in an attempt to settle the husband’s claims. Mike told the attorney he was considering asserting a lien against the wife’s settlement. Shortly thereafter, Mike spoke to the husband and erroneously believed he could settle his claims for $15,000, and if he didn’t asset a lien on the wife’s settlement, the husband would agree to Mike retaining the entire $15,000 as his legal fee in both cases. However, the husband never agreed to that arrangement.

Shortly thereafter, Mike received a $15,000 check from defense counsel. Mike retained the entire amount as his legal fee. As a matter of law, Mike had no legal right to retain the entire $15,000. In fact, it constituted a “clearly excessive fee.”

Making matters worse, Mike never notified the husband of his receipt of the $15,000 settlement check

As a consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Board of Overseers punished Steve by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (ca. January 2014) Steve practices with the Law Office of Steven Murra at 492A Main Street in Acton, Massachusetts.

Warning: Steve does not carry legal malpractice insurance