More Friend Than Lawyer

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court approved an agreed public censure in a case where the attorney  had drafted a will for a “frail, elderly,  and childless widow” that made him executor and beneficiary of her estate. The attorney knew better– when the client made a similar request in 1991, the attorney had cautioned her to reconsider and secured the services of another attorney to draft the will.

He took no such precautions in the 2008 will from which he benefitted and litigated the validity of that will despite problems with its execution and “ample time” to advise her to consult independent counsel.

He indicated that he was more friend than lawyer with respect to the 2008 will. (Mike Frisch)