► Attorney Arvil Howe of South Bend, IN; liar, ethical goblin Print
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Attorney Arvil Howe of South Bend, IN; liar, ethical goblin

 
The state of Indiana provided Arvil Ray Howe with a law license in 1980.
 
The Indiana Disciplinary Commission found Arvil guilty of the following misconduct. 
  1. Failed to provide competent representation (moron)
  2. Failed to act with reasonable diligence (slacker)
  3. Failed to keep client reasonably informed about status of legal matters
  4. Failed to provide clients with contingent fee agreements in writing’
  5. Failed to deposit advance payment of litigation expenses in a trust account
  6. Failed to explain matter to extent necessary to permit client to make informed decisions regarding representation
  7. Commingled client funds with his personal funds
  8. Failed to return unearned fees to client
  9. Made a false statement of material fact to Disciplinary Commission
  10. Wrote checks from trust account made payable to cash
  11. Wrote checks with insufficient funds (rubber)
  12. Failed to notify his bank that his trust account is subject to overdraft reporting to Disciplinary Commission
  13. Failed to return papers to client after being discharged
In one matter, Arvil represented a client in a personal injury claim, civil rights violation and false arrest against the South Bend Police Dept. About one year after being hired, Arvil had not filed suit, nor had he filed the tort claim notice within 180 days as required to assert state-law claims. During that one year, the family made numerous attempts to contact Arvil about the status of the case. The client then fired Arvil and demanded he return the $500 advance fee, but he refused to do so. He then lied to the Commission when he falsely stated that the $500 remained in his office bank account.
 
In two other matters, Arvil represented clients who were appealing their criminal convictions. In both instances, Arvil failed to file the proper appellate briefs which led to the dismissal of his client’s appeals. Put simply, the two clients (victims) lost their appellate rights due to the gross negligence of Arvil.
 
As a consequence of her misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Indiana Supreme Court punished Arvil by gifting him with a complimentary 6-month suspension of his law license.
 
As we speak (ca. October 2012) Arvil practices at 502 West Washington Avenue in South Bend, Indiana.