Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices

For individuals in the Auburn, Massachusetts area seeking legal services and browsing the 'Lawyers Near Me' category, it is crucial to be aware of significant information regarding Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices, located at 25 Southbridge St. While the listing suggests an active legal practice, publicly available reviews raise serious concerns about the firm's practices, professional conduct, and even the use of the deceased name of its founder, Howard Lee Schiff, who reportedly passed away on February 14, 2007.

One of the most critical pieces of information highlighted in the reviews pertains to debt collection practices. A reviewer, identifying themselves as knowledgeable about legal facts, states that using letterhead with Howard Lee Schiff's name is misleading and potentially violates the professional codes of conduct with the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers (BBO) due to his passing. This raises questions about the transparency and ethical standards of the firm's communication.

Furthermore, this reviewer provides crucial information regarding the statute of limitations on debt in Massachusetts, which they claim is six years from the last charge or payment. If a debt is older than this timeframe, it is generally considered non-collectable. The reviewer advises individuals in such situations, particularly those whose sole income is from government disability funds (which are typically protected by state and federal laws), to resist the firm's collection attempts. This information is vital for local users who may be contacted by Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices regarding older debts.

Another concerning review details the firm's alleged continued contact with the reviewer's wife regarding a debt that is reportedly well past the six-year statute of limitations in Massachusetts, despite being informed to communicate through their attorney of record. This alleged violation of debt collection practices has led the reviewer to escalate the matter to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers for disciplinary action. This indicates a potential pattern of aggressive or inappropriate debt collection tactics, disregarding legal limitations and proper communication channels.

In addition to concerns about debt collection, a separate review raises serious questions about the professional conduct of an attorney representing Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices in court. The reviewer, who stated they were also in law practice, recounted an incident where the firm's attorney appeared in court for a hearing wearing "tennis shoes and workplace casual clothing" and failed to apologize for this lack of professional attire or explain if they were covering for another attorney. This behavior is described as disrespectful to the court and reflects poorly on the firm's commitment to maintaining professional standards in legal proceedings.

The cumulative impact of these reviews paints a concerning picture for local users seeking legal services or facing debt collection attempts from Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices. The alleged misleading use of a deceased attorney's name, potential violations of debt collection laws and professional conduct rules, and a lack of professional decorum in court are serious issues that warrant careful consideration.

Given the nature of the negative feedback, it is challenging to objectively describe a positive "environment" for Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices. The reviews suggest a potentially unprofessional and ethically questionable operational style, particularly in their debt collection practices and adherence to professional standards. Local users considering this firm should be aware of these serious allegations.

The services purportedly offered by Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices are not explicitly detailed in the provided information beyond debt collection. However, the reference to their attorneys appearing in court suggests they may handle various legal matters that require court representation. Nevertheless, the negative reviews raise significant concerns about the quality and ethical nature of any legal services they may provide.

The "features" of Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices, as perceived through the lens of the provided reviews, are predominantly negative. These include alleged misleading use of a deceased founder's name, potential disregard for the statute of limitations on debt, reported inappropriate and persistent contact regarding time-barred debts, and instances of unprofessional conduct in court. These are not features that would typically attract clients seeking reputable legal representation.

In terms of "promotional information," the provided data lacks any positive endorsements or statements from the firm itself. The reviews serve as cautionary tales rather than promotional material. Therefore, it is difficult to identify any objective promotional aspects based solely on this information.

For local users in Auburn, MA, browsing the 'Lawyers Near Me' category, it is strongly recommended to exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence before considering Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices. The serious allegations raised in the publicly available reviews regarding their debt collection practices, potential ethical violations, and unprofessional conduct are significant red flags. It would be prudent to seek legal services from other law firms with more positive and verifiable reputations within the local legal community. Contacting the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers may also be a valuable step for individuals who believe they have been subjected to unethical or illegal practices by this firm.

In conclusion, while Howard Lee Schiff Law Offices is listed as a legal practice in Auburn, MA, the information gleaned from online reviews presents a concerning picture. Local users seeking legal assistance should be aware of the allegations of misleading practices, potential violations of debt collection laws, and unprofessional conduct before engaging with this firm. It is advisable to explore alternative legal options within the 'Lawyers Near Me' category that have a more established record of ethical and professional service.