Solo Suspended, Partly for Implying His Law Firm Was Bigger
A Virginia solo practitioner has been suspended partly for holding out his law firm as a bigger operation.
Jason Matthew Head, a Virginia Beach lawyer, began calling his law firm Jason Head & Associates in May 2009, although he was the only lawyer in the firm, according to findings cited by a three-judge court. His website identified nonexistent practice groups, falsely stated his firm had three locations, and implied that a nonlawyer was actually a lawyer associate, the opinion (PDF) says. The Legal Profession Blog has the story.
The panel also found that Head overdrew his IOLTA account and did not maintain the required records. He also failed to pay a $7,500 settlement in a suit against his firm for alleged violations of the federal debt collection law, the opinion said.
The panel imposed a 30-day suspension and a one-year period of probation. During the suspension, Head will be required to retain a law office management consultant.
Head did not return a phone call requesting comment.
