Board of Overseers of the Bar v. Ronald G. Caron, Sr., Esq.

Download Order for Appointment of Receiver (PDF)

Docket No.: BAR-12-7

Issued by: Supreme Judicial Court

Date: August 27, 2012

Respondent: Ronald G. Caron, Sr., Esq.

Bar Number: 001371

Order: Receiver Appointment

Disposition/Conduct: N/A

Order for Appointment of Limited Receiver, Sarah B. Neault, Esq., M. Bar R. 7.3(f)(1)

After Petition filed by the Board of Overseers, pursuant to M. Bar R 7.3(f), the Court Orders the following:

As of this date, Sarah Beth Neault, Esq. of Bergen & Parkinson, LLC is appointed the Limited Receiver of original Last Will and Testaments prepared by the late Attorney Ronald G. Caron, Sr. With the cooperation of Personal Representative Ronald G. Caron, Jr., Attorney Neault shall:

  1. Secure client property consisting of original 'Wills only and client data contained within said Wills prepared by Attorney Caron.
  2. Notify clients or former clients via publication only in the Journal Tribune, the Sun Chronicle, and the Biddeford-Saco Courier, that the law practice has concluded and provide opportunity for clients to retrieve their property.

Attorney Neault has agreed to serve in a pro bono capacity and will not seek payment of legal fees for hours worked as the Limited Receiver.

Attorney Neault shall act as Limited Receiver until discharged by the Court either by Motion or in accordance with paragraph 3 of M. Bar R. 7.3(f).

Attorney Neault so appointed shall not disclose any information contained in any original Wills without the consent of the Testator/Testatrix, an heir, devisee, Personal Representative or a legal representative of the Testator/Testatrix or the Estate, to whom such Will relates, except as may be necessary to carry out an order of court including any order under M. Bar R. 7.3(f).

Furthermore, Attorney Neault may be engaged by any former client of Attorney Caron or the Estate provided that she informs such client in writing that the client is free to choose to employ any attorney, and that the Court's appointment order does not mandate or recommend the Limited Receiver's employment by the client or the Estate. Attorney Neault is subject to all Maine Rules of Professional Conduct, including M. R. Prof Conduct 1.7; 1.8 and 1.9 regarding conflicts of interest. However, a client's retention of the Limited Receiver(s) as successor counsel is not a per se conflict of interest solely by reason of Attorney Neault's appointment by this Order.

Attorney Neault and Bergen & Parkinson, LLC shall be protected from liability for professional services rendered in accordance with this Order to the extent permitted by law.

Finally, within one hundred twenty-five (125) days of this Order, the Limited Receiver shall file a status report with the Court, with a copy to the Board of Overseers of the Bar.

For the Court

Joseph M. Jabar, Associate Justice

Maine Supreme Judicial Court