Katzenstein v. Chabad of Poway (2015), ___ Cal.App.4th ___
In this case, the decedent had originally named his trust as the beneficiary of two life insurance policies. The successor trustee was the plaintiff in this matter. Later on, the decedent allegedly provided the defendant with an "irrevocable pledge" of those same two life insurance policies. In exchange, the defendant would rename the senior center after him and operate it from the life insurance proceeds.
When the decedent passed away, a dispute ensued over who was the beneficiary of the life insurance policy, the plaintiff or defendant. Naturally each side believed they were the rightful beneficiary and litigation ensued.
What captured my attention from this case though is this portion of it, as recited in the appellate opinion:
"The court entertained oral argument, during which most of the exchange concerned the tentative striking of Chabad's Objection and Counterclaim. In part, the court described to Chabad's counsel (who stated that he was representing Chabad on a pro bono basis) some of the differences between the procedures in the Code of Civil Procedure and the Probate Code, explaining that claims in probate need to be presented properly." Italics added.
In reading the opinion, the defendant's counsel seemed more accustomed to civil actions as opposed to probate actions. For example, counsel mistakenly believed that they could file a counterclaim to the plaintiff's petition when the proper procedure was to oppose the plaintiff's petition and file their own separate petition.
Arguably the defendant's counsel offered this admission in hopes that the court would offer him sympathy. Clearly this was not the case. Moreover, the fact that the appellate opinion decided to highlight this admission emphasizes this apparent mistake. Although the appellate opinion did not specifically give the attorney's name in mitigation.
Personally I doubt I would ever disclose such a fact in front of a judge. While performing pro bono work is laudable, disclosing such an arrangement during litigation seems imprudent. A pro bono attorney has to abide by the same rules and procedures as a compensated attorney. There are no special rules for pro bono attorneys when representing a client in court.
Unfortunately the cruel adage holds true, no good deed goes unpunished.
