Kirkby Solicitor Struck Off: Kevin Dooley's Shame

Below, Kevin Dooley, Disgraced Lawyer, or should we say, one who got caught

A Kirkby Solicitor established for more than 20 years was found guilty of "conduct unbefitting a solicitor and dishonesty" , the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal ruled.Between 1995 and 2000 he took part in 19 phoney investment schemes which netted him untold amounts.Dooley's fee from one deal was one million dollars (£715,000). It is also disturbing to hear that Dooley represented former Merseyside Chief constables along with major Drug Importers like Curtis Warren jailed for his part in flooding Merseyside with Class A drugs.

The Kirkby offices of Kevin Dooley were closed by the Law Society back in 2000. The first many of his clients here in Kirkby knew was when the offices were unceremoniously closed and you can see by the photo below what greeted people needing possibly critical legal advice.............

The sums of money involved in this case were amazing. Dooley making a Million US Dollars on one deal for basically allowing his office and his firm to be used in a web of fraud. These high profit investment schemes as well as blatant money laundering schemes by possibly major drug cartels are something any solicitor would be aware of. The Law Society's concern in connection with money laundering led to it issuing a specific printed warning to every solicitor, which was sent out to each solicitor with his practicing certificate in October 1995. This warning was headed in large letters: "Warning To All Solicitors: Money Laundering; Could You Be Involved?" It contains statements such as this: "Could you spot a money laundering transaction? The signs to watch for: (1) unusual settlement requests, settlement by cash of any large transaction ... (2) unusual instructions ... (3) large sums of cash ... (4) the secretive client ...

FURTHER INVESTIGATION NEEDED

There are many who see the Legal Profession as untrustworthy. Dooley made a name for himself in Kirkby not so much for his good defence, more his closeness to the Police.He has represented High ranking Policemen and one wonders now at how many people were victim of corrupt deals regarding prosecutions? If he was willing to represent known Drug Dealers, as it seems with the case of Curtis Warren, then one has to ask how many more dealers were not only represented by him, but possibly used him as a channel for the Millions which were being made then as now in the drug trade on Merseyside. One also has to ask if any of the former Chief constables were up to the job when they chose to associate with a man of Dooley's reputation. One other question worth asking. Was Kevin Dooley a Freemason?

HILLSBOROUGH CONNECTION

Kevin Dooley represented dozens of survivors of the Hillsborough Football Disaster in 1989. These clients were treated in a manner which to put it mildly was appalling. Many survivors, still traumatised, were given minimal payouts whilst Dooley and many others made a fortune off the misery of these victims of injustice. Dooley should have advised clients and tried to ensure proper medical and Psychological care was forthcoming. Instead the Disaster was used as an opportunity to make money by many of Liverpool's Solicitors. Worse still, many believe that 'steering group' of solicitor's founded to look after Family's and Survivors interests, were part of the Cover Up. Dooley was one of the Solicitors in that group and Kirkby Times can report that Hillsborough survivors taking action have discovered that Kevin Dooley destroyed various documents. Its not difficult to imagine Dooley being more on the side of the establishment back then. He always tried, successfully , to be the coppers friend. One wonders what favour's he's done the Police in Kirkby in the past. Many believe his less than robust defence of some clients may have been due to his overt friendliness with the Police. Surprisingly, there has only been one case on Merseyside of Hillsborough solicitors being investigated(so far) Linskills(still practicing)had to settle out of court when a Hillsborough survivor accused then of professional negligence. It is hoped that more solicitors may be investigated for Hillsborough negligence.Now we know for sure that Dooley was involved in criminal activities it must follow that there should be investigations as to his conduct in this area of his legal dealings.

The Judas Factor

Kevin Dooley was the son of a Docker, a working class lad who worked as a clerk for 10 years before becoming qualified to practice. Many of us in Kirkby remember him as he moved up in the World, there were some who said he had forgotten his roots. A Solicitor has a duty to his community. Dooley betrayed that duty and put his own greed before the more noble cause of actually fighting for Justice. Dooley chose at some point to turn Judas on the people who needed him. The ordinary people of Kirkby put their trust with him. Back in 1989 people put their trust in him as they came back from Hillsborough. He treated it as some mass whiplash claim.There will be others too who will now question the quality of service given by Dooley. Kirkby has been poorly served over the years in legal representation. You may not think it important to have access to a good solicitor, but life will at some point force your hand to seek legal advice and representation. A good Solicitor will do there utmost to represent you but a Bad one could well mess up your life for years to come. Ask the Hillsborough survivors in Kirkby about that, if they'll even speak about it. Thanks for nothing Dooley. You've betrayed, not only your colleagues and your Community. But rest assured, there are more 'Dooley's' out there. Kirkby times will try to find out the standard of legal advice in Kirkby and we will post up a report soon with hopefully a list of decent Solicitors.

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