Conflict Of Interest Cause Of Action Dismissed

The dismissal of a count alleging that a law firm was liable for engaging in a conflict of interest was ordered by the Delaware Superior Court for Sussex County.

According to the plaintiff, on May 28, 2013, Defendants represented Plaintiff in a transaction effectuating a mortgage in order to provide a third-party the funds to purchase a property. Defendants prepared a note to enable Plaintiff to mortgage her property for the benefit of Matthew Chasanov, Plaintiff’s grandson, and his wife, Lindsay Chasanov (collectively the “Chasanovs”).

The note, drafted by Defendants, did not include many of the standard provisions typical of a mortgage transaction. For example, the note lacked clauses for acceleration, amortization, attorney’s fees in the event of default, interest, and the signatures of the Chasanovs. The note was signed only by Plaintiff and her husband, Mathew Dickerson, resulting in their personal liability in the event of default.

 Plaintiff agreed to complete the mortgage transaction with the understanding that the Chasanovs would make her mortgage payments. Upon completion of the transaction, the Chasanovs purchased a home together as husband and wife. Shortly thereafter, the Chasanovs defaulted after making only one payment on the note resulting in damages of approximately $148,000.  Plaintiff subsequently filed the present suit against the Defendants.

The court held that the alleged ethical violation did not amount to a free-standing cause of action. 

 Even if an attorney failed to adequately represent clients with concurrent conflicting interest in accordance with the Rules, it is well-settled and “generally recognized that the intent of professional ethical codes is to establish a disciplinary remedy rather than to create civil liability.”

The count alleging negligence was not dismissed. (Mike Frisch)