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Paul W. Pappas (2021)
NEw HAMPSHIRE SUPREME COURT
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT COMMITTEE
a committee of the attorney discipline system David M. Rothstein, Chair Heather E. Krans, Vice Chair Elaine Holden, ” Vice Chair * non attorney member Barbara J. Guay, Legal Assistant In the Matter of Paul W. Pappas, Esquire- LD-2021-0005
PUBLIC CENSURE
In accordance with Supreme Court Rule 37(12), on September 14, 2021, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that the above captioned reciprocal discipline matter from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court warrants the issuance of a public censure. The Court remanded the matter to the Professional Conduct Committee (“the Committee”) for the issuance of a public censure. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Order states, in part: The Respondent maintained an IOLTA account to handle client receipt and distribution of client funds. Between December 18, 2017, and April 16, 2018, the Respondent deposited client settlements checks into his operating account, instead of his IOLTA account, and paid the clients directly from his operating account. No client was deprived of their funds. During this time period, the Respondent also deposited to and maintained funds in his operating account. The conduct violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.15(b). From at the latest December 18, 2017, through at the earliest April 16, 2018, the Respondent did not perform three-way reconciliations of his IOLTA account, in violation of Mass. R. Prof.
C. 1.15(1)(E). 4 Chenell Drive, Suite 102 www.nhattyreg.org (603) 224-5828 Concord, New Hampshire 03301 Fax (603) 228-9511
On October 1, 2017 and October 25, 2017, the Respondent with drew earned fees from retainer funds he was holding for a client without sending that client an itemized bill of services rendered, notice of the amount withdrawn and a balance of the client’s funds left in the account. This violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.15(d)(2). Accordingly, the Committee issues a public censure to Paul W. Pappas, Esquire, as reciprocal discipline based on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Order dated June 26, 2020. September 23, 2021 /s/ David M. Rothstein David M. Rothstein Chair cc: Mark P. Cornell, Deputy General Counsel Paul W. Pappas, Esquire