Board of Overseers of the Bar v. Cynthia J. Dresden, Esq.

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Docket No.: BAR#16-5

Issued by: Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Date: February 2, 2016

Respondent: Cynthia J. Dresden, Esq.

Bar Number: 004443

Order: Receiver Appointment

Disposition/Conduct: Receiver Appointment

Order Appointing Receiver
M. Bar R. 32

Upon Petition submitted by the Board of Overseers of the Bar, pursuant to M. Bar R. 32, the Court Orders:

As of this date, Jane Makela, Esq., is appointed the Receiver of the law practice of Cynthia J. Dresden. Attorney Makela shall:

  1. secure the professional files, client property and client data of Attorney Dresden;
  2. obtain access to Attorney Dresden?s post office boxes, to secure any law office or legal mail, and access to any e-mail accounts which are associated with Attorney Dresden?s law practice;
  3. obtain use of, at the Receivers? discretion, all computer hardware, software and digital files, user names and passwords;
  4. obtain signatory authority over IOLTA and all other bank accounts the law practice maintained;
  5. reconcile IOLTA and all other bank accounts, and then report the results of the reconciliations to Special Bar Counsel;
  6. obtain access to all safe deposit boxes and other facilities in which office or client property is stored;
  7. inventory the open and closed client files;
  8. give priority attention to client matters which are open and time sensitive;
  9. confer with Special Bar Counsel regarding publication of a notice to former clients regarding closing of the law office and retrieval of files;
  10. confer with Ms. Dresden?s bookkeeper and accountant;
  11. collaborate with Jennifer Atkinson of Friendship, Maine, who is a Massachusetts Attorney whose practice is limited to Immigration matters:
  12. prudently access and utilize Attorney Dresden?s operating and IOLTA accounts to effect the formal conclusion of the law practice, including the temporary retention of support staff or other personnel as necessary and appropriate;
  13. address any conflicts of interest pursuant to M. R. Prof. Cond. 6.5. Any files identified by the Receiver as presenting a conflict of interest shall be transferred to Special Bar Counsel of the Overseers of the Bar, or his designee;
  14. preserve and protect confidential information of the clients of Attorney Dresden pursuant to M. R. Prof. Cond. 1.6. Attorney Makela is authorized to allow limited disclosure of confidential information to detect and resolve conflicts of interest arising from her appointment as Receiver, or in conjunction with the sale of the practice pursuant to M. R. Prof. Cond. 1.17A, but only if the revealed information would not compromise the attorney-client privilege or otherwise prejudice the client;
  15. allow herself and/or Attorney Atkinson, consistent with M. R. Prof. Conduct 5.5, to be engaged by any former client of Attorney Dresden provided that they inform such client in writing that the client is free to choose to employ any attorney, and that this Order of Appointment does not mandate or recommend the Receiver?s employment by the client. A client?s retention of either Ms. Makela or Ms. Atkinson as successor counsel is not a per se conflict of interest solely by reason of this Appointment Order; and
  16. act as Receiver until discharged by the Court either by Motion or in accordance with M. Bar R. 32(c).
  17. submit to the Court a record of hours worked and disbursements made, in the event payment of legal fees at the State court appointment rate is requested. The assets of the law office of Attorney Dresden shall be the first method of compensation to the Receiver and her agents, although ultimately, the Receiver may elect to serve in a pro bono capacity or be compensated from another source (e.g., the estate of Attorney Dresden).

It is further Ordered Attorney Makela shall be protected from liability for professional services rendered in accordance with this Order pursuant to M. Bar Rule 32(e).

The Clerk is directed to incorporate this Order on the docket by reference.

Dated: February 2, 2016

Thomas E. Humphrey
Associate Justice
Maine Supreme Judicial Court