Metz Lewis Brodman Must O'Keefe LLC

Advice to law firm management: Key concerns include:

1. **Fraud and Deceit**: My dealings with Larry Blair and James Murray Egan have been marked by major fraud and deceit. Their practices include the misappropriation of assets and a deliberate lack of transparency, preventing rightful beneficiaries from accessing critical information and support.

2. **Lack of Transparency**: There has been a persistent failure to provide clear and comprehensive information about the trusts' management, financials, and distributions. This violates fiduciary standards and fosters distrust and confusion among beneficiaries.

3. **Abuse and Harm to Beneficiaries**: The documented battery and harm inflicted on Joseph Benedict Trees through video interviews at Treesdale highlight the severe neglect and abuse under their oversight. This behavior is unacceptable and calls for immediate investigation and legal accountability.

4. **Failure to Support Beneficiaries with Disabilities**: Despite the mission of the Edith Trees Charitable Trust to support individuals with disabilities, neither Larry Blair nor James Murray Egan has provided meaningful accommodations or established supplemental needs trusts for these beneficiaries. This negligence leaves vulnerable individuals without necessary protections and jeopardizes their well-being.

5. **Asset Diversion and Concealment**: Both trustees have engaged in practices that divert funds from rightful family members to nonprofits, effectively hiding assets and misusing trust resources. These actions have left beneficiaries who rely on financial support in severe financial hardship.

6. **Disregard for Legal and Ethical Standards**: The actions of these trustees demonstrate a blatant disregard for their legal and ethical responsibilities. Their mismanagement undermines the integrity of both the Edith Trees Charitable Trust and the Joseph Trees Trust, compromising the well-being and rights of the beneficiaries.

Immediate action is necessary to address these severe breaches of trust and ensure that beneficiaries are protected and receive the support and transparency they deserve. The rights and well-being of those affected, especially individuals with disabilities, must be prioritized, and those responsible for these unethical actions must be held accountable.

Cons: I am compelled to bring attention to the fraudulent and unethical practices involving the administration of the Edith Trees Charitable Trust and the Joseph Trees Trust, managed by Larry Blair and his partner. As a beneficiary and legacy member of the Joseph Trees family, my experience with these individuals has been nothing short of major fraud and deceit. Their actions have violated fiduciary duties and caused significant harm to beneficiaries, including those with disabilities who are most in need of support.

In addition to the misconduct of Larry Blair, James Murray Egan has engaged in similar deceitful practices, siphoning funds meant for rightful family beneficiaries to create nonprofits that obscure the movement of money. These funds have been withheld from family members who genuinely require financial assistance due to disabilities, pushing some into financial hardship and poverty.

The situation is further compounded by their negligent and abusive treatment of my second cousin, Joseph Benedict Trees. It has been documented through video interviews with the caretakers at Treesdale that he was subjected to battery and harm under their management. This inhumane treatment is deeply troubling and serves as a testament to their disregard for the welfare of the very individuals these trusts should protect.

Key concerns include:

Partners to Avoid and Why: Larry Blair, James Murray Egan

Current or former employee?: Current Employee

Job type: Full time

Pros: 5.0 Current Employee, more than 3 yearsAssociateAssociate in Pittsburgh, PA ProsExcellent exposure to first chair responsibility. Really nice people - great work. Family friendly environment.ConsMid-size companies as clients, but not large company clients

Current or former employee?: Former Employee

Last Year at Employer: 2018

Job type: Full time

Pros: 5.0 Former Intern, less than 1 yearGreat ExperienceAnonymous Intern in Okemos, MI ProsGreat environment, lots of experience.ConsSmall Office, but still enough space to work.

Current or former employee?: Former Employee

Last Year at Employer: 2022

Job type: Full time