► Attorney Pamela Virtue of Scottsdale, AZ; ethical leprechaun |
Attorney Pamela Virtue of Scottsdale, AZ; ethical leprechaun
The state of Arizona presented Pamela A. Virtue with a law license by the Arizona Supreme Court in 1988 after she graduated from Gonzaga University law school.
The Arizona State Bar found Pamela guilty of the following misconduct.
Pamela represented Irena Ralph in a wrongful death case, which called for a contingent fee of 40% if the case settled or went to trial. Subsequently, the case was mediated for $300,000. During the mediation process, Irena asked Pamela if she would consider reducing her fee. About 10 days later, Pamela told Irena she would not reduce her fee of $120,000.
In the settlement statement prepared by Pamela billed Irena $1.00 a mile when the IRS rate was $0.55, meaning Pamela was gouging her client. She also billed her $180 for 180 faxes. It doesn’t cost $1 per fax to send it from one’s office. Pamela also billed Irena over $15,000 for compounded interest at 13% per annum.
While representing Irena, Pamela unlawfully provided her with financial assistance, which included:
Pamela’s fee agreement called for arbitration if a conflict arose regarding the fees claimed by an attorney. The fee arbitrator made several findings after reviewing the matter; he ruled that Pamela did agree to reduce her fee. He then ordered her to pay Irena $50,602, which include (a) $30,000 – 10% of $300,000 settlement, (b) $5,495 re: Pam’s estimated costs, and (c) $15,107 compounded interest.
As a consequence of his misconduct, the enablers for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Arizona Supreme Court punished Pamela by gifting her with a complimentary censure.
As we speak (ca. September 2010) Pamela practices at 7904 East Chaparral Road in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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