Attorney Edward Pasquina Jr. of Gloucester, MA; ethical gremlin

The state of Massachusetts presented Edward Francis Pasquina Jr. with a law license in 1980 after he graduated from New England School of Law.

The Board of Bar Overseers found Eddy guilty of the following misconduct, all of which took place in New Hampshire.

Eddy attempted to file a civil action for a client in t he Hampton District Court. Because there was a statute of limitations issue looming, Eddy prepared a complaint and brought it to the courthouse. However, Eddy wasn’t permitted to file the complaint because he did not have a writ of summons, was not a licensed New Hampshire lawyer and had no pro hac vice (only this time) motion to practice.

The referee told Eddy that the writ needed to be signed by a New Hampshire lawyer. Eddy then spoke with a New Hampshire lawyer who gave him permission to sign his name to the writ of summons. He also told Eddy to file a pro hac vice motion. Eddy then returned to the courthouse the next day with a complaint in the lawyer’s name but without a pro hac vice motion. In front of the clerk, Eddy filled out the form writ and signed the New Hampshire layers’ name to it. The clerk accepted the filing.

One month later, Eddie appeared with the New Hampshire lawyer before the Hampton District Court on an unrelated criminal case, with a pro hac vice motion designating the New Hampshire lawyers as local counsel. The judge held a conference in chambers as to the circumstances of Eddy’s filing of the civil case. The judge determined that the case was improperly filed because the write wasn’t signed by a New Hampshire lawyer, and he dismissed the case involving Eddy’s client. The judge also denied Eddy’s pro hac vice motion in the criminal case.

Subsequently, Eddy and/or his legal malpractice insurer settled with the client who’s case was dismissed due to Eddy’s misconduct.

As a consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Board of Overseers punished Eddy by gifting him with a complimentary stayed 6-month suspension of his law license.

In truth, the comedians sitting on the Board of Bar Overseers didn’t mete out any meaningful punishment to Eddy.

As we speak (ca. June 2014) Eddy practices at 75 Middle Street in Gloucester, Massachusetts