On Monday, August 4, 2025, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court disbarred attorney Kai Richard Yu for multiple ethical violations in connection with his real estate conveyancing practice.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Kai Richard Yu,” with case number BD-2025-034.
The decision, issued by Associate Justice Elizabeth N. Dewar, followed a recommendation from the Board of Bar Overseers, which found Yu guilty of 13 counts of misconduct, including intentional misuse of client funds and unauthorized practice of law.
Yu operated as a sole practitioner specializing in residential real estate transactions. From 2004 to 2021, he served as a title insurance agent for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company.
In October 2020, a client complaint regarding Yu’s handling of a home purchase closing in Natick prompted an investigation by the Office of Bar Counsel. Yu’s failure to respond to initial inquiries led to his administrative suspension from practicing law on March 2, 2021. He was reinstated on April 16, 2021, after complying with requests for information, but faced a second suspension on September 1, 2021, for continued non-cooperation. This suspension was lifted on September 30, 2021, after Yu provided a statement under oath and additional records.
Following his first suspension, Old Republic terminated Yu’s agency contract in 2021 after an audit revealed his administrative suspension. Despite this, Yu conducted nine real estate closings, falsely presenting himself as an authorized Old Republic agent and collecting title insurance premiums. He deposited these funds into his Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) and transferred portions, including premiums, to his operating account. In some cases, clients received title insurance policies despite Yu’s lack of authority, while others did not, despite paying premiums.
A notable instance involved a September 2021 transaction for a property on Neponset Street in Norwood, where Yu acted as a settlement agent and attorney during his second suspension. He issued a title commitment and misrepresented to the lender and client that he could provide title insurance policies, violating multiple Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct, including those prohibiting dishonesty, fraud, and unauthorized practice of law. Yu also commingled client funds with his own and failed to maintain accurate client ledgers.
The Office of Bar Counsel filed a 13-count petition for discipline against Yu on June 21, 2023, addressing misconduct in 10 real estate transactions, non-cooperation with investigations, and improper management of his IOLTA account.
Yu admitted to most allegations but contested the amount of misused funds and claimed no intent to permanently deprive clients or Old Republic. He cited mental health issues, including an adjustment disorder and stress from a 2019 divorce and the COVID-19 pandemic, as mitigating factors. However, the hearing committee rejected these claims, noting a lack of evidence linking his mental health to the misconduct.
Hearings occurred in May 2024, with testimony from Yu, Old Republic employees, and a trust account investigator. On December 5, 2024, the committee recommended disbarment, citing Yu’s nearly 20 years of legal experience, harm to clients, and continued misconduct during investigations as aggravating factors.
The Board of Bar Overseers unanimously adopted this recommendation on March 10, 2025, and the Supreme Judicial Court upheld it, finding disbarment necessary to protect the public and maintain confidence in the legal profession.
According to Avvo, Mr. Yu acquired his law license in Massachusetts in 2004.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
