On Monday, May 15, 2023, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania suspended attorney Jonathan Warren Chase for misleading a client about the proceedings.
The case is entitled “Office of the Disciplinary Counsel v. Jonathan Warren Chase,” with case no. 65 DB 2023.
The charges cited Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2(a), 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 3.3(a)(1), 4.1(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d) which states:
A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client. Competent representation requires legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.
A lawyer shall abide by a client s decisions concerning the objectives of representation and, as required by Rule 1.4, shall consult with as to the means by which they are to be a lawyer may take such action on behalf of the client pursued. A client is impliedly authorized to carry out the representation.
A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.
A lawyer shall: promptly inform the client of any decision or (1) circumstance with respect to informed consent, as defined required by these Rules; in which the client’ in Rule 1.0 is reasonably consults with the client about the (2) means by which the client’s objectives are to be accomplished; keep the client reasonably informed about the (3) status of the matter;(4) promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.
A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.
A lawyer shall not knowingly “make a false statement of a material fact or law to a tribunal or fail to correct a false statement of a material fact or law previously made to the tribunal by the lawyer.
In the course of representing a client, a lawyer shall not knowingly make a false statement of material fact or law to a third person
Misconduct involving which provides for a lawyer dishonesty misrepresentation.
it is to engage in fraud, that it is misconduct for a lawyer to engage in professional conduct deceit, or professional conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
In a petition in support of discipline on consent filed by the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel and the respondent, the latter admitted that he misled a client about his case because he felt trapped and did not know how to advise the same to dismiss the case, as the latter might not have agreed to the dismissal. After the respondent had dismissed the case, he didn’t know how to inform the client of that fact since the latter wanted to oppose the other party’s motion for summary judgment. The respondent stated that he regretted his behavior and recognized that it was unethical.
The filing states:
“Respondent fully understands that he should have obtained Regan’s express consent before terminating his lawsuit- and is remorseful that he did not do so. Respondent so understands that he should not have made false representations to his client concerning the status of the case, and he is remorseful that he did so. Respondent understands that his actions caused harm to the public’s trust and perception of the Legal profession.”
The filing continues:
“Petitioner and Respondent jointly recommend that the 44. appropriate discipline for Respondent’s misconduct is a one—year suspension. Respondent hereby consents to the discipline being imposed upon him by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Attached to this Petition as Exhibit A is the Respondent’s executed Affidavit as required by Pa.R. D.E. 215 (d) (1) through (4).”
In relation to the Joint Petition, the court decided to suspend the respondent from the practice of law.
The Disposition states:
“AND NOW, this 15th day of May 2023, upon consideration of the Recommendation of the Three-Member Panel of the Disciplinary Board, the Joint Petition in Support of Discipline on Consent is granted, and Jonathan Warren Chase is suspended on consent from the Bar of this Commonwealth for a period of one year. Respondent shall with the provisions of Pa.R.D.E. 217 and pay costs to the Disciplinary Board. See Pa.R.D.E. 208(g).”
As of today, Mr. Chase is listed in the law firm Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC as a practicing attorney. He practices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is licensed in Pennsylvania. His info can be found on lawyerlegion.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
