Board of Overseers of the Bar v. Caroline J. Gardiner

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Docket No.: BAR-14-4

Issued by: Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Date: March 25, 2014

Respondent: Caroline J. Gardiner

Bar Number: 006864

Order: Receiver Appointment

Disposition/Conduct: Receiver Appointment

Order for Appointment of Limited Receiver 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, the Board of Overseers of the Bar (the Board) is appointed the Limited Receiver of (deceased attorney) Caroline J. Gardiner?s law practice. Pursuant to this Order, the Board shall:

  1. secure the professional files, client property and client data of Attorney Gardiner;
  2. inventory the client files;
  3. notify former clients of the Receivership and provide an opportunity for those clients to retrieve their property;
  4. store or dispose of any remaining files pursuant to M. R. Prof. Conduct 1.15(b)(2)(iii).

As a service to the bar, the Board has agreed to serve as the Limited Receiver on a pro bono basis.

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

The Board so appointed shall not disclose any information contained in any file listed in such inventory without the consent of the client to whom such file relates except as may be necessary to carry out an order of court including any order under M. Bar R 7.3(f).

The Board shall be protected from liability for professional services rendered in accordance with this Order to the extent permitted by law.

Donald G. Alexander, Associate Justice

Maine Supreme Judicial Court