On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County in Massachusetts suspended attorney Harel Talasazan for two years over misconduct involving multiple clients. Talasazan defaulted during the disciplinary proceedings brought by the Board of Bar Overseers, leading to the allegations being deemed admitted.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Harel Talasazan,” with case no. 2023-045.
The charges cited Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2(a), 1.4(a)(1)(2)(3)(5), 1.6(a), 1.9(c), 3.1 and 8.2.
In a unanimous vote on May 8, 2023, the Board of Bar Overseers recommended the two-year suspension, which was imposed by Justice Lowy on June 21, 2023. The court found Talasazan engaged in “varied misconduct, including failing to competently represent multiple clients, filing frivolous pleadings, revealing confidential client information, misuse of retainers, making a statement concerning the integrity of a judge with reckless disregard as to its truth or falsity, and IOLTA record-keeping violations” between 2020 and 2022.
The petition for discipline contained four counts related to two client matters. According to the court’s summary, “The petition for discipline charged, in Count One, misconduct in defending a client in a litigation matter. During the litigation, the respondent filed multiple motions which failed to advance his client’s interests and were denied.”
The summary goes on to say:
“The respondent ultimately withdrew from the representation. After withdrawing, the respondent filed a frivolous motion to recover attorney’s fees and costs. That motion was also denied. Although he was no longer representing the client, the respondent then filed a frivolous petition for relief with the S.J.C., purportedly on the client’s behalf.”
In Count Two, the court found Talasazan misused over $29,000 in settlement funds intended for a client.
Overall, the court ruled Talasazan violated rules related to competency, communication, confidentiality, candor to tribunals, safekeeping client funds, charging unreasonable fees, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice between 2020 and 2022.
The Disposition states:
“It is ORDERED that: 1. Harel Talasazan is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a period of two (2) years effective immediately upon the entry of this order.”
Mr. Talasazan practices in Boston, Massachusetts. He is licensed in Massachusetts. His info can be found on avvo.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
