Former BigLaw Partner Disbarred for ‘Off-the-Books’ Practice

A former BigLaw partner was disbarred for having an off-the-books practice and lying about it, the Supreme Court of Washington ruled Apr. 12.

More than mere employment is at stake when a lawyer represents outside clients and fails to pass along the fees to the law firm, the case illustrates.

Employment and immigration attorney Carllene M. Placide represented numerous ‘off-the-books’ clients while she was a partner at Dorsey & Whitney LLP and then at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, the court said. The clients paid her directly, and she kept the money rather than giving it to the firms, ...