Opinion ID: 1520612
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Real Estate Transaction

Text: Bar Counsel argues that petitioner's handling of a real estate closing, during the period of his suspension, on behalf of a friend was improper. According to the record, Harrison, pursuant to a power of attorney, attended a real estate closing for a longtime friend who was out of the country at the time. The undisputed evidence showed, and Bar Counsel does not contest, that Harrison acted only in an agency capacity and not as an attorney-at-law. Pursuant to his principal's explicit instructions, Harrison deposited a check representing the proceeds from the transaction into his own personal bank account. Harrison testified before the Hearing Committee that while he had no available escrow account into which he could deposit the check from the real estate closing because he was suspended from practicing law at the time, he offered to open such an account specifically for this transaction. His friend, however, told him not to open an escrow account but rather to deposit the money into Harrison's own personal account. The money remained in the account for only five days at which time Harrison mailed a check for the full amount of the sales proceeds to his friend, less Harrison's agreed upon fee. At all relevant times, Harrison had sufficient funds in his account to cover the amount received at the real estate closing. The Hearing Committee concluded that Harrison acted in good faith and committed no impropriety with respect to this transaction, and we agree. Petitioner did not act as an attorney-at-law in this situation, and in his agency capacity he handled the funds in strict accordance with the explicit instructions of his friend. Accordingly, we do not believe this transaction reflects an inability on petitioner's part to handle money in his professional capacity. [5]