A Singapore company director has been fined $26,000 for pretending to be a lawyer.
Keith Tsukada, who runs 'IP Firm', a management consultancy, sent letters threatening legal action on behalf of his clients and drafted agreements while holding himself out as a solicitor. He also described his company as a firm specialising in "Arbitration and Litigation", while its website featured statements including, "You are not just hiring a lawyer - but an innovative team specialising in the areas of law [sic]".
One client, who paid $2,000 to Tsukada to draft a sale and purchase agreement for a company, told the court he was under the impression the was a qualified lawyer.
Tsukada was fined $26k. Rubbing salt in the wound, his relatively short, two-year stint as a fake lawyer means he comes no way near wrestling away the title of Best Fake Lawyer, which currently belongs to 40-year veteran Koji Nitta.
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Keith Tsukada, who runs 'IP Firm', a management consultancy, sent letters threatening legal action on behalf of his clients and drafted agreements while holding himself out as a solicitor. He also described his company as a firm specialising in "Arbitration and Litigation", while its website featured statements including, "You are not just hiring a lawyer - but an innovative team specialising in the areas of law [sic]".
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"'Tis I, your lawyer, ergo sum est in atrium NOT GUILTY! I rest my case your honour, objection." |
One client, who paid $2,000 to Tsukada to draft a sale and purchase agreement for a company, told the court he was under the impression the was a qualified lawyer.
Tsukada was fined $26k. Rubbing salt in the wound, his relatively short, two-year stint as a fake lawyer means he comes no way near wrestling away the title of Best Fake Lawyer, which currently belongs to 40-year veteran Koji Nitta.