Attorney Stanley Szlachetka of Chicopee, MA; ethical dwarf

The state of Massachusetts presented Stanley Anthony Szlachetka with a law license in 1981 after he graduated fro
m Case Western Reserve University Law School in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Board of Bar Overseers found Daniel guilty of the following misconduct.

• Withdrew client’s representation w/o taking steps to protect client’s interests
• Failed to give client reasonable notice of withdrawal

In one matter, Stanley was hired to represent a client regarding her objection to her mother’s will that was filed by her stepfather’s lawyer. The stepfather was named executor and sole beneficiary in the will. The basis for the client’s object was that the will was fraudulent and that the signatures on the will and codicil were apparently different.

On Stanley’s advice, the client hired a handwriting expert to examine the signatures. The expert opined that the will was not signed by the decedent, but that the codicil was signed by the decedent.

Subsequently, Stanley received a motion for opposing counsel alleging that Stanley was engaging in frivolous conduct in prosecuting a groundless objection to the will.

At a subsequent hearing, Stanley, without his client’s knowledge or consent, withdrew her objection to the will and consented to the allowance of the will. Making matters worse, Stanley never discuss the court’s dismissal of her object to the will.

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

As we speak (ca. September 2013) Stanley practices with Szlachetka Dubay, PC at 10 Center Street in Chicopee, Massachusetts.