In re Medina

Summary

The Rhode Island Supreme Court adopted findings that Leonidas Medina and Southside Professional Services engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, including holding themselves out as authorized to provide legal services, receiving fees, soliciting legal business, and agreeing to furnish legal services. The Court referred the Committee's report and supporting materials to the Department of the Attorney General for possible civil or criminal prosecution and to Disciplinary Counsel for review of an attorney's conduct.

Holdings

1. The Supreme Court adopted the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee's findings of fact concerning Leonidas Medina and Southside Professional Services.
2. The adopted findings established that Medina and Southside Professional Services engaged in conduct falling within Rhode Island's statutory prohibitions on unauthorized practice of law, including holding themselves out as authorized to practice law, receiving fees from legal services performed by attorneys, acting as agents in soliciting or procuring legal business, and agreeing or offering to furnish legal services.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Committee's factual findings concerning Medina and Southside Professional Services should be adopted.
2. Whether the conduct found by the Committee constituted unauthorized practice of law under R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-27-1, 11-27-3, 11-27-8, and 11-27-10.
3. Whether the Committee's report, transcripts, and exhibits should be referred to the Department of Attorney General for civil and/or criminal prosecution and to Disciplinary Counsel for review of possible action concerning Attorney Thomas DeSimone.

Disposition

other