Woman who posed as lawyer almost made partner

PITTSBURGH – Authorities say a Pennsylvania woman used forged documents to pretend to be a lawyer for a decade and was in line to be named partner when her fraud was discovered.

Kimberly Kitchen, 45, of James Creek, was charged Thursday with forgery and unauthorized practice of law.

The attorney general says Kitchen fooled BMZ Law by forging a law license, bar exam results, an email showing she attended Duquesne University law school and a check for a state attorney registration fee.

The attorney general says she handled estate planning for more than 30 clients.

Kitchen’s attorney says, “There are things about the charges we don’t agree with so we’re going to be fighting some of the charges.” She wasn’t specific.

The firm didn’t immediately return a call Friday.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Woman who posed as lawyer almost made partner."