Opinion ID: 1258
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Boilerplate Motions

Text: In a number of cases, Roman submitted boilerplate motions for extensions of time and motions to reinstate stating that he either had not received a copy of the scheduling order or had not received a response to a previous motion for an extension of time. According to the Court, Roman either knew, or likely knew, that scheduling orders existed in those cases. Referral Order I, at 2. For instance, in the case of Villa-Castano v. BIA, No. 04-3851-ag, the petitioner's motion to reinstate argues that petitioner's counsel never received the briefing schedule. Tr. Ex. 10. However, the docket shows that the petitioner filed a motion for an extension of time on March 28, 2005, clearly indicating that petitioner's counsel was, in fact, aware of the briefing schedule. Id. According to Roman's written response, all of the extension requests were based upon either a need for additional time to prepare, loss of contact with the client, or delays in obtaining the administrative record. In his Response, Roman does not explain why, if these were the reasons why he needed extensions, he represented to the Court that he had not received scheduling orders or had not received a response from the Court to a previous request for an extension. Roman also does not explain why he used boilerplate motions, rather than crafting individual motions for each request that he made to the Court. At the hearing, Roman admitted that he had not personally prepared the misleading motions to reinstate in the cases listed in the referral order. Tr. 20:5-22:8. According to Roman, his partner, Mr. Singh, and/or Mr. Singh's secretary, prepared the motions to reinstate and signed Roman's initials to the documents. Tr. 22:9-25:21. Roman explained that, for a period of several years during which the boilerplate motions were filed, he was admitted to practice before the Second Circuit and the Ninth Circuit, while Mr. Singh was not. Tr. 25:23-26:8. Mr. Singh would handle the firm's immigration cases before these courts, but Roman was officially the counsel of record; accordingly, Roman's name was on all of the documents filed with the courts: My name went on the Ninth Circuit cases and my name went on the Second Circuit cases. I was loosely following these cases, but mainly relying on my partner to handle these cases, and for that I take full responsibility, again. A lot of the work that was performed I relied on my partner, even though I should have said to my partner, if these are your cases and if these are your clients who you're taking in these cases, then I think it's best if you get admitted into the Second Circuit and handle these cases in your name. Same for the Ninth Circuit.    During the time that a lot of these problems came, to be honest with you, you Honor, I wasn't very aware of what was going on. I relied, and my signature was signed without my knowledge, and without my consent, and it's a tough situation. Tr. 26:9-26:21; 27:23-28:4. According to Roman, Mr. Singh is now admitted to the Ninth Circuit and handles all of the firm's cases before that court. Tr. 26:22-26:25. Roman continues to handle the Second Circuit cases, and since 2007, has personally overseen the day-to-day management and filings in those cases. Tr. 26:25-27:22. Roman no longer permits Mr. Singh to file documents before the Second Circuit under Roman's name. 60:17-61:13. Roman was also asked whether he had omitted any substantive discussion of the boilerplate motions in his response to the Committee in order to avoid addressing the issue of whether his partner had filed motions before the Court under his name. Tr. 58:2-60:16. Roman said it was possible that he had omitted a thorough discussion of the boilerplate motions in order to avoid this issue, but he was not certain that he had done so. Id. As the Committee generally found Roman to be credible, there is no clear and convincing evidence that he deliberately misled the Committee in his written response. Roman's conduct, in allowing motions to be filed before the Court that (1) misrepresented that he served as counsel in those cases and had approved such submissions and (2) were misleading with regard to the reasons for moving to reinstate and/or requesting an extension of time, is in clear violation of DR 1-102(A)(4), which holds that [a] lawyer or law firm shall not: ... [e]ngage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. Moreover, to the extent that Roman was responsible for supervising Mr. Singh's handling of cases for which he was counsel of record, he should have taken reasonable efforts to ensure that Mr. Singh's representations to the Court were accurate and did not violate any disciplinary rule. DR 1-104(B), (C) & (D). [6] The aggravating factors with regard to this conduct are: (1) multiple offenses; and (2) vulnerability of Roman's immigrant clients. ABA Standards § 9.22(d) & (h). A mitigating factor is Roman's full and free disclosure to the Committee of his culpability in this conduct. ABA Standards § 9.32(e).