| ► Attorney Paul Crane of Phoenix; ethical misfit |
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Attorney Paul Crane of Phoenix; ethical misfit
The state of Arizona presented Paul M. Crane with a law license in 1986 after he graduated from the University of Texas Law School.
The Arizona State Bar found Paul guilty of the following misconduct.
In one matter, Paul represented a client in a criminal case. The client was convicted and ordered jailed pending sentencing.
Paul obtained one or more powers of attorney from the client to manage the client’s financial affairs, including his home and vehicle. Paul used the documents to take control of the client’s three bank accounts.
Paul paid himself $7,000 in fees owed to him by the client from bank accounts when there were insufficient funds available to meet all of the client’s financial obligations.
Due to the lack of payments of the client’s mortgage, foreclosure proceedings ensured and the client lost his home. In addition, Paul failed to advise the client of the potential conflict involved and failed to advise the client to seek independent counsel regarding the decision to give Paul authority over his financial affairs at a time when the client owed legal fees to Paul.
As a consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Arizona Supreme Court punished Paul by gifting him with a complimentary censure.
As we speak (ca. July 2013) Paul practices at 101 West Pierson Street in Phoenix, Arizona.
Warning: Paul doesn’t carry legal malpractice insurance
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