Leading Rhode Island Lawyer Accused of Professional Misconduct

Rhode Island's Chief Disciplinary Counsel David D. Curtin has petitioned the Rhode Island Supreme Court disciplinary board to consider taking action against leading Family Court lawyer William F. Holt. Curtin has accused Holt of professional misconduct over his handling of four divorce cases and requested the disciplinary board to hear testimony on the allegations.

The petition against Holt alleges that Holt misled the Family Court judges by submitting orders that did not have explicit consent of the parties. In one case, Holt is accused of having removed a divorce filing from the clerk's office leading to delay in service of notice of proceedings and making it possible for his client to remove items from his home.


Holt's lawyer said Holt is going to present his side of the story and he "is going to contest each of the allegations."

In one instance, that of proceedings between Brian and Lynn Auclair, Holt is accused of having presented a proposed "consent order" to the Family Court that authorized his client to enter the family home and remove items of his choice. Holt was representing Brian. The petition against Holt alleges that Holt failed to notify Lynn's lawyer about the proposed order. Lynn gained notice of the order only when Brian was already inside her home.

In another case, that between Michelle and Dennis Bonnollo, Holt is accused of disrupting the distribution of assets by removing Michelle's divorce filing from the clerk's office. Michelle's lawyer filed for divorce in June. However, in July, Dennis assaulted Michelle and removed 95 percent of their belongings from their family home. Michelle's lawyer obtained a protective order on behalf of her client, but later learned from Holt, who represented Dennis, that Holt had taken the divorce filings from the clerk's office. The petition against Holt mentions that Holt's action in this matter led to Michelle being denied of court protections with regard to the couple's possessions.

In another case, Holt is accused of presenting an order for approval of the court, which was significantly different from the divorce terms that had been earlier finalized by and between the parties. Another case involved misrepresentation regarding the custody of children.