Board of Overseers of the Bar v. Christopher G. Limberis

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Docket No.: BAR-18-1

Issued by: Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Date: February 15, 2018

Respondent: Christopher G. Limberis

Bar Number: 000946

Order: Receiver Appointment

Disposition/Conduct: Receiver Appointment

Order Appointing Receiver
M. Bar R. 32

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

As of this date, Gregory P. Dorr, Esq., is appointed Receiver for final closing of the law practice of Christopher G. Limberis. Pursuant to this Order, Attorney Dorr shall:

  1. secure any professional files, client property, and client data of Attorney Limberis;
  2. inventory client files;
  3. prioritize client matters identified as open, active, and apparently time sensitive;
  4. notify former clients that the law practice has concluded and provide opportunity for those clients to retrieve their property;
  5. assist clients with any active matters in their efforts to obtain new counsel;
  6. if necessary, provide notice of appointment to all courts and relevant state and county agencies; and
  7. if necessary, reconcile any IOLTA, client, or office accounts.

As a service to the bar, Attorney Dorr may serve as Receiver for Attorney Limberis?s law office on a pro bono basis. However, Attorney Dorr shall submit a semi-annual written report to the Court, copied to the Board?s Special Counsel, containing a record of time worked and disbursements made in this matter. The law office of Christopher G. Limberis shall be the first source of payment for disbursements and any legal fees (at the state court appointment rate) sought by the Receiver. If insufficient assets are available from the law office, the Board of Overseers may be an alternate payment source for expenses related to the law office closure.

Attorney Dorr shall act as Receiver until discharged by the Court in accordance with M. Bar R 32(c).

Attorney Dorr 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 the Court including any order under M. Bar R 32.

Attorney Dorr may be engaged by any former client of Attorney Limberis provided that the client is informed 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 Receiver?s employment by the client. Attorney Dorr 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 Receiver as successor counsel is not a per se conflict of interest solely by reason of Attorney Dorr?s appointment by this Order. Attorney Dorr shall be protected from liability for professional services rendered in accordance with this Order to the extent permitted by law.

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

Dated: February 15, 2018

Jeffrey L. Hjelm
Associate Justice
Maine Supreme Judicial Court