On Thursday, February 23, 2023, the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts disbarred Worcester attorney Abby R. Williams. The case is entitled “In the matter of Abby R. Williams” with case no. SJC-13268.
The charges cited Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(b), 1.15(c), 1.15(d)(1), 1.15(d)(2), 1.15(f)(1)(c).
On September 13, 2021, the Bar Counsel recommended that the respondent be disbarred for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct. In the four-count complaint, it was alleged that the respondent intentionally misused and misappropriated her client’s funds.
The filing states:
“Next, the hearing committee found that the respondent knew she was falsely overcharging the Booths for expenses, and her misuse of their settlement funds was intentional. Specifically, the committee found that the respondent knew the claimed expenses of $160,000 were false. (Id). Among other factors, a case that settled before trial would not likely generate expenses in that amount. The committee rejected as not credible the respondent’s testimony that she simply relied on her bookkeeper for the calculation of expenses. In sum, the committee found the respondent knowingly misstated the costs.”
The filing continues:
“The hearing committee found that the respondent knew the claimed appellate costs were fraudulent and that she was personally responsible for the false claim. Among other facts, the respondent was responsible for preparing the settlement breakdown with the false claim. (Hearing Report, para. 156). In addition, she lied to the client, Zeoli, about the status of the appeal and dragged out the time for final payment from approximately February 2018 until October 2018.”
On March 29, 2022, an order was already issued by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts agreeing with the recommendation of the board to disbar the respondent. The court stated that the respondent engaged in multiple violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct including intentional and known misuse of client funds, with deprivation resulting in three separate client matters. There were multiple factors in aggravation, and there was no evidence of restitution, the court explained.
Unsatisfied with the order, the respondent filed an appeal to contest her sanction. In response to the appeal, the court stated that it reviewed the disciplinary sanction imposed by the single justice to determine whether it is markedly disparate from judgments in comparable cases. And based on the said review, the court agreed that disbarment is the appropriate sanction where the misappropriation of client funds is accompanied by the presence of numerous aggravating factors and the absence of any mitigating factors.
The filing further states:
“Here, the single justice found no mitigating factors and found multiple aggravating factors, all of which are supported by substantial evidence in the record, including the respondent’s experience as an attorney and her lack of candor before the hearing committee. The single justice also properly considered the cumulative effect of the respondent’s multiple violations in different cases.”
For all the foregoing reasons, the court agreed with the single justice that the respondent should be disbarred for such misconduct.
The Disposition states:
“The evidence was sufficient to establish that the respondent personally and intentionally misappropriated client funds with deprivation resulting. Disbarment is warranted.”
As of today, Ms. Williams is listed in the law firm Abigail Williams & Associates as a practicing attorney. She attended the New England Law, graduating in 1991. She practices in Worcester, Massachusetts. She is licensed in Massachusetts. Ms. William’s info can be found on Linkedin.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
