Quick Answer: Florida attorney William O’Toole of Summit Legal Group was disbarred for at least five years after 20 disciplinary matters involving foreclosure and loan modification services. He improperly allowed nonlawyers to solicit clients nationwide and split fees with them, violating Bar rules.
William O’Toole, a Florida attorney that ran Summit Legal Group that claimed to be able to save homes from foreclosure and get loan modifications, has been disbarred for at least five years. The Florida Bar stated, “William Timothy O’Toole, 120 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 105, Fort Lauderdale, disbarred effective immediately, following a May 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1992) O’Toole was the subject of 20 Bar disciplinary matters.
O’Toole failed to properly communicate with clients and failed to diligently handle their cases. O’Toole allowed nonlawyers to improperly solicit clients on his behalf for loan modifications and foreclosure defense on a nationwide basis, despite the fact he could only practice law in Florida. He also split fees with nonlawyers, a violation of Bar rules. (Case No. SC11-1815)”
William Timothy O’Toole with Summit Legal was allegedly working in conjunction with non-Lawyers Randy Baker and Solomon Macari.
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According to the Bar’s investigation, the lawyer allowed nonlawyers to “improperly solicit clients on his behalf for loan modifications and foreclosure defense on a nationwide basis, despite the fact that he can only practice law in the state of Florida.”
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The lawyer admitted that he is aware that nonlawyers buy leads that provided names of potential clients for his law firm, according to the petition, and that he was aware that “nonlawyers telephoned potential clients to solicit their business by promising them results, such as a rate reduction on their loans.” – Source
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The disbarment actually took place in may. Not sure why it has taken this long for the story to surface on your blog, the Palm Beach Post, and the Sun Sentinel. The AG’s office, without success, has been pursuing restitution, and the Florida Bar’s Clients Relief Fund has been slow to get funds to victims. This story still has a way to go.