Economy blamed for young attorney’s epic legal malpractice

The disturbing tale of a young Las Vegas attorney who bit off more than he could chew proved to be a cautionary one. 

The piece, written by Jeff German and published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Legal News, described how Jorge Sanchez’s stunningly busy bankruptcy practice overwhelmed the relatively young lawyer — and hinted at how his meltdown harmed at least 480 active clients.

It didn’t take long for legal websites to pick up the story, including the prestigious ABA Journal. As of this morning, Sanchez’s story was ranked No. 5 among the site’s 10 most read. Judging by reader comments, most that were from attorneys, we can expect more young lawyers to slide down the same slippery slope on which Sanchez stranded himself.

Not surprisingly, perhaps, most comments were at least marginally sympathetic to Sanchez’s plight.

They blamed the economy. They blamed the lousy job market for young lawyers. Most, however, did not blame Sanchez -- and they should have.

Read the column in today's Las Vegas Legal News, a Las Vegas Review-Journal website.