New York AG obtains order against legal assistance firm

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced an order on Wednesday against a legal assistance office with locations in Watertown and Syracuse that allegedly misrepresented its services.

New York Supreme Court Justice James McClusky signed an order to show cause and issued a temporary restraining order against Legal Docs By Me. The order effectively suspended operations at the company's Syracuse and Watertown locations.

Schneiderman alleged that Legal Docs By Me misrepresented the services it provided to consumers, regularly provided misinformation to consumers about legal transactions, misrepresented pricing of its services and regularly engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

"The allegations in this case are not limited to a business simply filling in the blanks on official forms," Schneiderman said. "The consequences of receiving erroneous or inadequate legal assistance can spell financial and personal disaster for consumers. I will keep working to shut down unscrupulous business owners who take advantage of trusting New Yorkers."

In one instance, Legal Docs By Me allegedly advised a divorce client to empty his joint bank accounts, take her husband's car and avoid reporting actual income on divorce filings. Legal Docs By Me also allegedly failed to properly serve legal papers and relied on legal guidance obtained through a Google search.

A hearing on the matter is set for July 15.