Angel Velez v. Michael P. Turndorf, Esq.

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Disposition: Award to Respondent

Issued by: Fee Arbitration Commission

Docket #: FAC#16-077

Dated: June 10, 2016

Bar Number: 007431

A duly authorized Fee Arbitration Panel of the Fee Arbitration Commission of the Board of Overseers of the Bar, chaired by the undersigned, was designated to hear the controversy existing between the above-named parties as set forth in the Petitioner's Petition. A hearing on the Petition was held on May 5, 2016, at Portland, Maine. All parties provided pre-hearing written submissions and were present1 and gave testimony at the hearing.2 Based on the evidence introduced by the parties, the Panel unanimously finds as follows:

The Petitioner's claim for a refund of fees is denied.

In order to preserve the confidentiality of the written materials and the testimony submitted at the hearing, the Panel's findings and conclusions are not set forth in this Award and Determination. The Award and Determination is accompanied, however, by a separate supplemental document that sets forth the Panel's findings and conclusions. By ruling of the Panel Chair, the attached supplemental document shall not be considered part of the award, which is a public document. In accordance with Maine Bar Rule 7(f)(1), the supplemental document shall be confidential and shall not be open to the public or disclosed to any person except as otherwise set forth in Maine Bar Rule 7(h).

This Award and Determination is in full settlement of all claims submitted to the Arbitration Panel. The Panel members have authorized the Panel Chair to sign this Award and Determination on their behalf.

The undersigned has subscribed to this award on June 10, 2016.

Daniel J. Mitchell, Esq.
Chair Panel 1B
Fee Arbitration Commission

1The Petitioner participated in the hearing by telephone.

2The Respondent was represented at the hearing by counsel, Peter J. DeTroy. On May 29, 2016, Attorney DeTroy passed away suddenly. The Panel pauses for a moment to remember him. Attorney DeTroy was an exemplary lawyer and a true professional. His loss will be felt deeply by the Bar.