Miami Beach Attorney Illegally Pockets $2M+ From Trust Account, Says Client; Cash Allegedly Intended for Real Estate Investments

In Miami, Florida, a Daily Business Review story (appearing on law.com) reports:

• A Miami Beach real estate attorney is being sued for allegedly pocketing more than $2 million from her trust account that a client set aside for condominium purchases. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Victoria S. Sigler signed an order last week freezing attorney Sally N. Sawh's assets and issuing a subpoena for records on two bank accounts with Regions Bank. In the complaint, French clothier Jean Dahan said he hired Sawh in October 2004 to create six corporations in Miami and use them to purchase six condos. The suit alleges fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, civil theft and unjust enrichment.

For more, see Lawsuit Says Real Estate Attorney Took Client for $2 Million (Attorneys are forbidden by Florida Bar rules from commingling client trust funds with any other monies).

If a Florida attorney is representing you and screws you out of money or property through dishonest conduct, go to The Florida Bar's Clients' Security Fund for more information. For other states and Canada, see:

• Directory Of Lawyers' Funds For Client Protection (American Bar Association - February, 2008);
• Check the USA Client Protection Funds Map;
• Check the Canada Client Protection Funds Map.