Lawyer suspended for ‘judgment’ error

DANBURY -- A local real estate attorney was so filled with regret that he was ready to give up his law practice this week after filing a complaint against himself with the state grievance board.

But court officials who commended him for selfreporting have proposed giving the attorney a suspension instead.

It was the first time a complaint had been filed against attorney Joseph Saffi in more than 40 years of practice. Saffi admitted to changing the date on a fax in order to protect his clients, documents state, and he was willing to resign from the bar for his action.

“I’m ashamed and remorseful for what I have done, and I stand ready and willing to apologize,” Saffi told the grievance panel last year.

The troubles for Saffi began last year when a client was issued a summons for failing to abide by a purchase agreement for a property. When checking the file, Saffi realized that he hadn’t faxed the cancellation document to the other attorney.

Saffi told court officials that he thought the cancellation was moot because of a revised purchase agreement he had received.

In an effort to protect his client, Saffi told authorities he changed the date on the fax machine and sent out the notice.

But less than a half hour later, documents state, Saffi called other attorneys involved in the matter and admitted his indiscretion before filing a grievance against himself.

“I was motivated to contact (the attorney) for one reason,” Saffi stated in court documents: “my anguish and regret at having exercised terrible judgment by back-dating a fax transmission.”

Rather than giving up his license to practice law in the state, court officials proposed an agreement Thursday in Superior Court that calls for Saffi to be suspended for several months later this year.

Land-use attorney Neil Marcus said he isn’t surprised Saffi reported the error, given the integrity Marcus said he’s shown over the years. The attorney said he first met Saffi while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

“Joe has always been a straightforward person,” Marcus said. “We are all humans, and humans make mistakes. But Joe recognized what he did and took responsibility for it.”

He also commended judicial officials for not accepting the resignation.

“A suspension is a much more proper resolution under the circumstances,” he said.

Attorney Jennifer Tunnard has agreed to handle Saffi’s cases when the suspension is in effect.

David Atkins, an attorney representing Saffi, declined to comment Friday on the matter, noting the agreement is still pending. Saffi also declined comment.