By Julian Emerson
Note: The CVPost has arranged with Julian Emerson to publish on our website the early portion of stories that Emerson has written and posted on his Facebook news page. You will find a link to the remainder of each article following the opening paragraphs.
A Pennsylvania lawyer who said he intends to buy a run-down north side Eau Claire trailer park has lost the opportunity to practice law in his home state after authorities determined he illegally kept hundreds of thousands of dollars and violated multiple ethical rules in actions involving six clients.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court Office of Disciplinary Counsel disbarred attorney Scott L. Kramer, 40, of Chester Heights, PA after an investigation of his interactions with those clients. That investigation revealed he improperly retained fees, failed to provide competition representation, didn’t communicate effectively with clients and neglected legal matters with them during a six-year period.
Earlier this month Kramer said he intends to purchase Maples Mobile Home Park, 1611 Western Ave., Eau Claire. He said he plans to buy the trailer park for near its $675,000 asking price and intends to close on the deal Oct. 1.
Kramer’s conduct as a lawyer is outlined in a 53-page report finalized on March 15 that charges him with arranging payments from clients that were “clearly excessive” and unethical. The report was entered on July 30. Kramer’s disbarment is effective Aug. 29.
The report, initiated by an investigative request of Kramer filed on Aug. 23, 2017, notes that six of Kramer’s clients independently complained that Kramer improperly retained excessive amounts of their money, that he neglected their legal matters, that he failed to communicate and didn’t competently represent them.
“(Kramer’s) multiple and severe breaches of his obligations to his clients demonstrates that he is unfit to practice law and is a threat to the public,” the report states.
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