12.18.2019

New Jersey Estate Seeks Civil Penalties Against New York Lawyer

A New Jersey estate is suing New York law firm Davidson, Dawson & Clark and attorney P. Gregory Hess in a civil suit. The decedent, a New Jersey resident had Hess, who is not licensed in New Jersey, draft her will which was successfully challenged by the decedent’s husband.

In a new twist, the plaintiff estate seeks to apply N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22a, a New Jersey statute that allows civil penalties for the unauthorized practice of law. Any person who suffers a loss as a result of the unauthorized practice of law may bring a civil action for treble damages, and fees and costs.

To read more go to: https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2019/11/01/little-known-law-curbing-unauthorized-practice-faces-test-in-cross-border-estate-case/