AUGUSTA, Maine — Five clients of attorneys sanctioned for what the Lawyers’ Fund For Client Protection described Tuesday in a release as “dishonest conduct” have been reimbursed nearly $11,000 by the fund, which is operated by the Maine Board of Bar Overseers.
Scott David Giese of Old Orchard Beach, who practiced family law, was temporarily suspended on Jan. 13, 2014, by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and then suspended on Nov. 14, 2014, for multiple counts including a lack of diligence, communication, safekeeping of client funds or property, personal conflict, unreasonable or excessive fees and conduct that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness, among others. His clients were awarded $7,630, according to the release.
Clients of Peter Todd Travis of Brunswick, a tax attorney who remains in practice, were awarded $3,500. Travis has no disciplinary history, according to board clerk Angela Morse. Any information about a pending investigation would be confidential.
“The attorney-client relationship depends upon the trust of clients,” Lawyers’ Fund board chairman Paul Sighinolfi said in the release. “It is a shame when a few attorneys betray that trust and tarnish the reputation of the entire profession.”
The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection — funded by registration fees paid by every licensed Maine attorney — generally reimburses clients whose attorneys have misused funds in their care or misappropriated funds for their personal benefit, according to the release.
Since its inception in 1997, the trustees have awarded $359,085 to claimants.