STATE BAR TAKES ACTION TO AID HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE CRISIS

[FarCenter]

http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10144&n=96395

MEDIA CONTACT: Diane Curtis 415-538-2028 [e-mail]

San Francisco, September 18, 2009 — The State Bar of California, alarmed by the number of lawyers preying on vulnerable homeowners, today identified 16 attorneys who are under investigation for misconduct related to loan modification.

“In my 21 years in attorney discipline, I have not seen a crisis of this magnitude. It is truly unprecedented,” said Interim Chief Trial Counsel Russell Weiner, who is waiving investigation confidentiality in favor of public protection. The waiver, allowed by law, is used only occasionally, but Weiner said the seriousness of the problem demanded a strong reaction by the bar in order to protect consumers. This is the first time the names of more than a few lawyers being investigated have been made public.

“The number of attorneys using their law licenses to essentially take money from unwary but trusting consumers is astounding,” Weiner added. “There are literally thousands of victims who have lost money they could not afford to lose. Under the circumstances, the need for public information and protection is paramount.”

Those attorneys being named by the State Bar have allegedly taken fees for promised services and then failed to perform those services, communicate with their clients or return the unearned fees, Weiner said. Some attorneys misrepresented the services they could provide. “It appears these attorneys may have significantly harmed their clients who were already facing great financial pressure and the possible loss of their homes.”

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▪ David Arase, Bar No. 233705, Arase Law Firm and National Housing Assistance

▪ Stephen Burns, Bar No. 113371, Legal Group Network

▪ Robert Buscho, Bar No. 122556, United Law Group

▪ Nicholas Chavarela, Bar No. 251632, Rodis Law Group and America’s Law Group

▪ Steven Feldman, Bar No. 103676, Feldman Law Center

▪ Eric Johnson, Bar No. 224065, Avantgarde Group

▪ Paul Lucas, Bar No. 163076, Lucas Law Center

▪ Brandon Moreno, Bar No. 233750, U. S. Foreclosure

▪ Jeffrey Nemerofsky, Bar No. 213014, U.S. Advocacy Law Group and U.S. Financial Products

▪ Gregory Paiva, Bar No. 207218, Law Offices of Gregory Paiva

▪ Adrian Pomery, Bar No. 249664, U.S. Foreclosure

▪ Ronald Rodis, Bar No. 181873, Rodis Law Group and America’s Law Group

▪ Mark Shoemaker, Bar No. 134828, Advocates for Fair Lending

▪ Marc Tow, Bar No. 78429, Marc Tow and Associates

▪ Michael Yellin, Bar No. 255050, A Fresh Start Loan Modification

▪ Sean Rutledge, Bar No. 255938, United Law Group