Opinion ID: 1964594
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The O'Connell Complaint

Text: The charges in this complaint involve respondent Loring and respondent James F. Houston. In November 1973, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. O'Connell retained the respondent Loring's law firm, Loring and Miele, to represent them in connection with their purchase of a home. Respondent Houston, who was employed by Loring and Miele, was in charge of the matter. The property had previously been sold to a Mr. and Mrs. Hughes but they had refused to consummate the transaction. Loring and Miele had represented Mr. and Mrs. Hughes and had had a search and survey prepared. The search had been made by Joseph Hayduk who worked for the Colonial Abstract Company which during this time was owned by Loring and Miele. The previously completed search and survey were used for the O'Connell transaction. The O'Connell closing occurred on December 28, 1973. Respondent Houston represented the buyers. Although the survey was certified to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Hughes, and a title binder was also addressed to them, he delivered these documents to Mr. O'Connell without explanation. Shortly after taking possession on or about December 31, 1973, there was a severe storm and as a result, Mr. O'Connell discovered a water condition in the driveway of his new home. When he told his neighbor that he proposed to repair the driveway, he was advised not to do so because the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority had a ten-foot easement through the driveway where it planned to install a sewer pipe. Mr. O'Connell immediately telephoned Mr. Houston at his home. He replied, You want me to run back to the office and check it out? There is nothing I can do anyway until we get back. On his return to the office, he called Hayduk. Hayduk then rechecked the records and discovered that he had omitted the easement from the search. Mr. O'Connell telephoned the office several times, but on each occasion he was told that respondent Houston was busy and that the call would be returned. It never was. Mr. O'Connell then sent respondent Houston a registered letter dated January 8, 1974. Mr. O'Connell wrote that he had been told that the file would be checked by Wednesday, January 2, 1974; that when he called on January 3, 1974 the secretary said the title searcher was investigating; that his own investigation disclosed the easement; and that [s]ince you have failed to answer my calls, I feel that for some reason you are trying to avoid me. Houston turned the matter over to the respondent Loring who suggested in a letter of January 10, 1974 to O'Connell that they meet. A conference occurred on January 26, 1974 at the respondent Loring's office. Loring disclaimed any responsibility and asserted that the culpability was attributable to the searcher or title company, even though O'Connell had not purchased any fee or mortgagee title insurance. (The property was not being encumbered with a new mortgage.) He did not explain the relationship of the searcher to the Colonial Abstract Company or of the company to himself. When Mr. O'Connell accused Loring of misconduct, he was told to retain another attorney. The Monmouth County Ethics Committee did not recommend any presentment but did urge that a severe private reprimand be given to respondent Houston. Subsequently the Committee at the direction of the Court filed a presentment against the respondents Loring and Houston.