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Lorraine Rossi (2022)
NEW HAMPSHIRE SUPREME COURT
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT COMMITTEE
a committee of the attorney discipline system Stephanie C. Hausman, Chair Caroline K. Leonard, Vice Chair Kathleen M. Ames, * Vice Chair *non-attorney member Barbara J. Guay, Legal Assistant In the Matter of Lorraine Rossi, Esquire— LD-2022-0002
CORRECTED PUBLIC CENSURE
(Title of Case) In accordance with Supreme Court Rule 37(12), on July 31, 2022, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled on the above captioned reciprocal discipline matter from the Board of Bar Overseers (“BBO”) of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court after giving the parties an opportunity to be heard on the matter. The Court remanded the matter to the Professional Conduct Committee (“Committee”) for the issuance of a public censure. In April 2020, the respondent’s former boyfriend brought a civil action against her alleging that she had misappropriated money from him during the course of their relationship. In conjunction with his lawsuit, the boyfriend filed a motion to attach the respondent's real estate. Shortly after being served with the lawsuit, the respondent recorded with the Essex County Registry of Deeds a mortgage deed that contained a forged no tari zati on. After the boyfriend filed a motion to set aside a fraudulent conveyance, the respondent discharged the mortgage. The mortgage deed was, however, attached as an exhibit to respondent’s opposition to the boyfriend’s motion, and she negligently represented that it was duly notarized. Thus, the respondent negligently made a misrepresentation to the Court. Given the discharge of the mortgage, the boyfriend’s counsel with drew the motion on the ground that it was moot. The respondent’s conduct in forging a no tari zati on violated Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct (‘MRPC”) 8.4(c), (d), and (h). Her conduct in making a negligent misrepresentation the Court violated MRPC 8.4(d) and (h). 4 Chenell Drive, Suite 102 www.nhattyreg.org (603) 224-5828 Concord, New Hampshire 03301 Fax (603) 228-9511
In mitigation, the underlying dissolution of the personal relationship caused the respondent considerable emotional stress. Further, she admitted to the notary that she had forged the no tari zati on of the mortgage deed, and she self-reported her misconduct to Bar Counsel. The parties stipulated to a public reprimand (public censure in New Hampshire). By vote dated February 14, 2022 the BBO voted to impose a public reprimand. Accordingly, the Committee issues a public censure to Lorraine Rossi, Esquire, as reciprocal discipline based on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers’ order dated March 30, 2022. August 30, 2022 /s/ Stephanie C. Hausman Stephanie C. Hausman Chair cc: Brian R. Moushegian, General Counsel Lorraine Rossi, Esquire