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Ethics Keyed to Hazard
State v. Callahan
Facts
Respondent, attorney John Callahan, was acting as personal attorney to Lowell Lygrisse. Lygrisse was looking to buy land owned by California resident Ruth Fulton, and suggested to her that Respondent handle the transaction for both of them. She agreed, and Respondent successfully drew the appropriate papers (including a very unusual arrangement that included an unsecured, interest-free loan as part of the purchase price that Fulton did not fully understand) and closed the sale as per prearranged terms. When Lygrisse defaulted on the final payment, Fulton came to the Respondent for advice. Respondent repeatedly advised Fulton that Lygrisse would pay. When he did not, she retained separate counsel for a malpractice action against Respondent once it became clear that the sale agreement had given them no security interest in the property. Respondent argues that he was merely acting as a “scrivener” for the two parties, and that he had no obligation to suggest “better terms” than t hose provided by Lygrisse.
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