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Board of Overseers of the Bar v. Daniel W. Bates, Esq.
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Docket No.: BAR-12-11
Issued by: Supreme Judicial Court
Date: November 21, 2013
Respondent: Daniel W. Bates, Esq.
Bar Number: 001597
Order: Order and Decision
Disposition/Conduct: Order Discharge of Receiver
ORDER DISCHARGE OF RECEIVER
Pending before the Court is the Board of Overseer?s Petition for Discharge and Receiver?s Final Report filed on October 1, 2013. For good cause shown and without objection, the Board?s Petition for Discharge is GRANTED as follows:
It is ORDERED that the Board of Overseers shall act as primary file caretaker of (Deceased) Attorney Bates?s unclaimed client files. Accordingly, the Board shall tend Bates?s unclaimed client files in a manner consistent with the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct. To assist the Board in complying with those duties, Attorney Dawson shall ensure that payment is made to the Board for its expenses related to the file storage/retention and destruction. Thereafter, Attorney Dawson shall close out the operating account and remit any remaining funds to the Bates Estate. Attorney Dawson shall also close out the IOLTA account and forward the unclaimed unknown fund balance to the Maine Bar Foundation as a charitable contribution.
It is hereby ORDERED, that Andrew T. Dawson, Esq. is discharged as Receiver of the law practice of Daniel W. Bates, Esq.
In that regard, the Court acknowledges the generosity, extensive efforts, and valuable service Attorney Dawson has provided as Receiver and extends its sincere appreciation for his numerous hours of work in this process.
The Maine Bar is indeed privileged to have such dedicated and selfless practitioners among its members. Attorney Dawson is commended for his pro bono work in this arduous matter.
Andrew M. Mead, Associate Justice
Maine Supreme Judicial Court
