A Failed Career In Bankruptcy Law
The Arizona Presiding Disciplinary Judge accepted a consent disbarment of an already disbarred attorney and entered an order
sealing from the public, for the reasons stated in the agreement, the charge attached to Respondent’s Consent to Disbarment,
The State Bar reported in 2015
On Dec. 11, 2015, a Supreme Court Hearing Panel disbarred David R. Wroblewski from the practice of law as a result of his firm’s misconduct while representing nearly 250 bankruptcy clients.
Wroblewski, an unexperienced bankruptcy attorney, purchased attorney Jeffrey Phillips’ bankruptcy practice, effective Jan. 1, 2011. Shortly after assuming the practice, a bankruptcy supervisor shared ethical concerns with him regarding caseloads, client cancellations, and client refund policies. Again, in late 2012, an attorney shared concern of large caseloads without adequate attorney support.
In early 2013, Wroblewski’s firm had no significant support by attorneys or non-lawyer staff to handle pending matters or properly communicate with clients. Despite the lack of staff, the firm continued to accept clients. This led to an order by Bankruptcy Judge Daniel Collins that removed Wroblewski, his firm, and his firm’s attorneys as counsel of record in all cases and proceedings within the district of Arizona.
The Hearing Panel found that Wroblewski was not competent to oversee the bankruptcy practice, as he failed to assure that his firm abided by his clients’ decisions regarding the representation, failed to diligently represent a number of bankruptcy clients, failed to adequately communicate with clients and failed to consult with them regarding events that may have impacted their bankruptcy cases. He also failed to promptly refund–or refund at all–unearned attorney’s fees and unexpended filing fees, failed to promptly provide–or provide at all–client files to his former clients, and failed to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of his clients.
The Hearing Panel also found that Wroblewski failed to meet all of his responsibilities in managing his lawyer and non-lawyer staff and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. He also failed to promptly respond to some of the State Bar’s investigations.
Prior to his disbarment, Wroblewski was reprimanded and place on probation for two years by judgment and order on Jan. 10, 2012.
(Mike Frisch)