Madison lawyer has his license suspended after 3 clients file complaints

Madison lawyer has his license suspended after 3 clients file complaints


Published: Thursday, December 15, 2011

Alexandra Sanders, Special to the Times


MADISON — A local attorney recently had his license suspended after three complaints were filed by his clients alleging that he didn’t adequately complete his legal responsibilities and that he paid himself excessive or inappropriate legal fees.

Clifford Fritzell III practiced family law at 23 Woodland Road in Madison until September when his license was suspended, barring him from practicing law, receiving money from clients and acquiring any new clients.

His attorney, William F. Dow III of New Haven, said “this is an interim matter. Attorney Fritzell’s clients are being protected by attorney Joseph Rini.”

“(Fritzell) is a well-respected member of the New Haven Bar,” Dow added.

There aren’t currently any formal charges against Fritzell, according to New Haven Superior Court records.

According to Statewide Grievance Committee documents obtained by the Register, the grievance panel determined that in each of the three complaints against Fritzell, probable cause exists to believe that Fritzell is guilty of misconduct.

The panel issued its first finding on July 12, regarding a complaint filed by New Haven resident Joan Richitelli.

According to the documents, Fritzell was appointed by the Probate Court as a conservator for Richitelli’s aunt, who died in 2010. The complaint alleges that Fritzell, who was hired to help probate Richitelli’s aunt’s estate, did nothing but pay normal bills and due to his inactivity, Richitelli terminated his representation.

The complaint also alleges that Fritzell then submitted a $77,393 bill for legal services, despite being a conservator for only a month. According to the document, Fritzell then told Richitelli’s new attorney that he didn’t have all of the estate’s money and he wanted to make monthly payments. He paid additional money, but he stopped payment on a final check for $10,000. Richitelli’s aunt’s estate was owed $10,953 as of July 12, the complaint said.

The panel found that Fritzell’s legal fee was excessive and he did not properly hold and safeguard Richitelli’s aunt’s money, among other things. Continued...


The panel issued its second decision on July 13 regarding a complaint filed by New Haven resident James Shure, who operates the Robert E. Shure Funeral Home in New Haven.

In this case, the complaint alleges that while Fritzell was the administrator of an estate, he said the estate had no funds to pay the funeral bill, but he paid himself $2,700 in legal fees.

According to the document, Fritzell alleges that he filed an inventory and final accounting, which is pending before the probate court. The document also states that he failed to respond to the grievance panels request for further detail and documentation.

The third complaint, filed by New York resident Paul Cantales, was responded to by the panel on Aug. 22.

That complaint alleges that Cantales retained Fritzell in March to represent him in order to retrieve his sculptures from his sister’s property.

He paid Fritzell $1,325, which included the filing fee for a document, but the court clerk had no record of the document being filed. Cantales also stated he had difficulty reaching Fritzell and the panel found that Fritzell didn’t adequately communicate with his client.

Fritzell has two stellar reviews on lawyers.com, which were both posted on Nov. 4, that boast of his expertise, communication ability and quality of service.

Fritzell is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court on Dec. 19

Please read complete article at link below:
http://www.shorelinetimes.com/articles/2011/12/15/news/doc4eea3096e1989779886342.txt?viewmode=default

Editor's note: The following quote from this article is
reminiscent of the Estate of Alice R. Gore, deceased, a disabled 99 year old ward of the Probate Court of Cook County, Judge Kawamoto's courtroom: "In this case, the complaint alleges that while Fritzell was the administrator of an estate, he said the estate had no funds to pay the funeral bill, but he paid himself $2,700 in legal fees." Poor Alice's estate of a million dollars was looted by the court parasites and no money was available to bury her.  Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com