673 results for 'cat:"Attorney Discipline"'.
Per curiam, the Supreme Court of Ohio finds attorney Jack Herchel VanBibber will be suspended from the practice of law for two years for multiple criminal convictions stemming from traffic violations, his failure to comply with court orders related to those convictions and his refusal to cooperate with the ensuing disciplinary investigation. VanBibber continued to drive on a suspended license even after an OVI conviction, led police on a chase through a residential area after being pulled over and showed little respect to disciplinary proceedings when he refused to cooperate initially. However, because he has an otherwise clean disciplinary record, his suspension will be stayed so long as he commits no further misconduct.
Court: Ohio Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 7, 2024, Case #: 2024-Ohio-1702, Categories: Sanctions, attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the Supreme Court of Colorado finds former Arapahoe County District Court Judge John E. Scipione will be publicly sanctioned and required to pay attorney fees for disciplinary proceedings related to his violation of eight judicial conduct rules. Scipione used his position as a judge to seek intimate relationships with subordinate employees on at least three occasions, sexually harassed at least one employee, and failed to disclose intimate relationships with former law clerks and other personnel. While his resignation ensures he will commit no further misconduct, he will also be required to pay $51,000 in attorney fees. Affirmed.
Court: Colorado Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 6, 2024, Case #: 2024CO23, Categories: Judiciary, Attorney Fees, attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the Oklahoma Supreme Court approves the Lee Griffin's resignation. Griffin is aware the bar is investigating grievances filed against her, including that she allegedly failed to disburse funds transferred to her upon the sale of marital property in three separate divorce proceedings, as well as failing to take action to seek grandchildren visitation rights on a client's behalf with attorney fees having been paid in advance. She also has pending criminal charges for embezzlement. The attorney's resignation was freely and voluntarily entered.
Court: Oklahoma Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 6, 2024, Case #: SCBD-7650, Categories: Administrative Law, Fiduciary Duty, attorney Discipline
J. Morrison orders the former attorney, Andrew Plasse, in an excessive force lawsuit against New York City to transfer his client’s case file to the new counsel, Michael Walker, finding the Plasse is not entitled to either a retaining or charging lien after concluding he was discharged from the case with cause. Plasse was sanctioned by the court for failing to act in his client’s best interest, including withholding pertinent details of a proposed settlement agreement and by lying to the court about his client’s health in order to adjourn a scheduled conference.
Court: USDC Eastern District of New York, Judge: Morrison, Filed On: May 6, 2024, Case #: 1:14cv680, NOS: Other Civil Rights - Civil Rights, Categories: Civil Rights, Sanctions, attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the Oklahoma Supreme Court approves the Joseph Dewayne Kalka's resignation. Kalka pleaded guilty to charges of domestic abuse by attempted strangulation of his wife and striking her head, face and body. The attorney's resignation affidavit was freely and voluntarily entered, with full awareness of the consequences.
Court: Oklahoma Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 6, 2024, Case #: SCBD-7576, Categories: Administrative Law, Assault, attorney Discipline
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Per curiam, the Kansas Supreme Court finds a lower court properly disciplined an attorney for violating the state's rules of professional conduct, which resulted in a suspension to practice law. The attorney argued that he was stressed out over his obligations to maintain his practice and administrative duties. However, his client, who faced criminal threats and battery toward a law enforcement officer and domestic violence, presented sufficient evidence in court that he withheld submitting a plea agreement on his behalf in order to collect his fees ahead of time.
Court: Kansas Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 3, 2024, Case #: 126270, Categories: attorney Discipline
[Consolidated.] J. Eaton finds the Professional Responsibility Board improperly entered two separate decisions with different sanctions regarding attorney Theodore studdert-Kennedy’s misconduct during a divorce proceeding. The board reduced a reprimand’s presumptive sanction to a private admonition, but this failed to consider if the his sanction was consistent with other cases. The decision is vacated and remanded for further proceedings. Reversed.
Court: Vermont Supreme Court, Judge: Eaton, Filed On: May 3, 2024, Case #: 23-AP-263, Categories: Sanctions, attorney Discipline
J. Mansfield finds that attorney Ta-Yu Yang was properly suspended from practicing law for 60 days because Yang, an experienced immigration attorney, failed to follow proper trust account practices in an immigration action.
Court: Iowa Supreme Court, Judge: Mansfield, Filed On: May 3, 2024, Case #: 23-1833, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the Supreme Court of Ohio finds attorney James Terry Robinson will be indefinitely suspended from the practice of law for his failure to self-report a felony conviction on drug charges and his continued use and sale of illegal drugs, including crack cocaine. Robinson admitted to drug use over an eight year period during a previous suspension, and will be ineligible for reinstatement until he completes a Narcotics Anonymous program and complies with all other continuing education requirements.
Court: Ohio Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: 2024-Ohio-1657, Categories: Sanctions, attorney Discipline
J. Bedsworth holds that the trial court properly awarded $10,000 in discovery sanctions against a law firm. Regardless of whether the law firm was counsel of record when sanctions were imposed, it is liable because it misused the discovery process with unmeritorious objections, evasive responses and nasty emails, and its lead attorney was "woefully uncivil." Affirmed.
Court: California Courts Of Appeal, Judge: Bedsworth, Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: G061829, Categories: Sanctions, Discovery, attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division vacates its March 2024 order naming the Mid-Hudson Women's Bar Association as custodian to take possession of the files of Delores Felice Seligman, a deceased attorney, who had been suspended for failing to cooperate with an investigation into the management of her escrow account.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: PM-77-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Yasutaka Orihara may not be reinstated from his May 2019 suspension for failing to meet registration requirements because Orihara failed to demonstrate compliance with continuing legal education requirements for suspensions of longer than two years.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: PM-78-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
J. Moon grants the juvenile law attorney's motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. A transgender boy ran away from home after his school told his grandmother that he wanted to use male pronouns. He was sex trafficked to Maryland, where he was rescued by law enforcement. The grandmother claims the Maryland-based lawyer representing the boy refrained from telling him that his parents had come to get her in order to intentionally mislead him, deprived him of mail from his parents while he was placed in a group home for juvenile boys and also coerced him to lie to the juvenile court about parental abuse. The attorney is employed by the State of Maryland as an assistant public defender, she is barred only in Maryland, and she only met with him in Maryland and the virtual meetings and appearances during the course of her representation of him took place on networks established by the Maryland Public Defender’s Office or the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
Court: USDC Western District of Virginia, Judge: Moon, Filed On: April 29, 2024, Case #: 6:23cv47, Categories: Jurisdiction, Lgbtq, attorney Discipline
J. Fenn finds that the lower court improperly denied an attorney's request to replace a special-bar counsel person set to be in charge of prosecuting a pending disciplinary proceeding against her. The counsel person currently set to carry out the duty has a conflict of interest due to being involved in a prior suspension action involving the attorney and most likely was told confidential information that would conflict with this case. New counsel needs to be appointed to carry out the investigation from scratch. Reversed.
Court: Wyoming Supreme Court, Judge: Fenn, Filed On: April 26, 2024, Case #: 22-8015, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Katherine Ann Aidala of Colorado may be reinstated following her January 2014 suspension for failing to meet registration requirements and grants her leave to resign from the New York bar for nondisciplinary reasons.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: PM-71-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the Supreme Court of Ohio finds attorney Daniel Edward Perrico will be suspended from the practice of law for two years following criminal convictions that stemmed from providing alcohol to his stepdaughter and two of her friends - all of whom were under 21 - and inappropriately touching one of the friends. Although Perrico has no previous disciplinary issues and cooperated with these proceedings, he abused a position of trust with the victims - all of whom regarded him as their father - and so an actual suspension is necessary to protect the public. However, the second year will be stayed so long as he commits no further misconduct.
Court: Ohio Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: 2024-Ohio-1540, Categories: Sanctions, attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the Nebraska Supreme Court accepts Robb N. Gage's voluntary surrender of his license, entering a judgment of disbarment. Gage was arrested and charged with four counts of possession of a controlled substance and had his license temporarily suspended. He pleaded no contest to the charges before filing the voluntary surrender. He has knowingly filed for voluntary surrender, meeting all requirements, and has waived all proceedings.
Court: Nebraska Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: S-24-061, Categories: Licensing, attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Kali Chantelle Jones may be reinstated following her may 2019 suspension for failing to meet registration requirements because she demonstrated compliance with the suspension order and possessed the requisite character to practice law.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: PM-75-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Demetra Agriantonis may be reinstated following her January 2014 suspension for failing to meet registration requirements because she demonstrated compliance with the suspension order and possessed the requisite character to practice law.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: PM-70-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Sabrina Alyce Nelson may be reinstated following her May 2019 suspension for failing to meet registration requirements because she demonstrated compliance with the suspension order and possessed the requisite character to practice law.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: PM-72-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
J. Wood finds the circuit court properly disqualified defense counsel from the underlying incest and sexual assault of a child case. The attorney and his firm were disqualified because one of the firm's attorneys had worked as a deputy prosecutor on a matter involving the same alleged victim and defendant. No timely screening of the attorney was made and prompt notice was not provided. Affirmed.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Wood , Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: CR-23-630, Categories: Due Process, attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Catherine Sunae Shin may be reinstated following her October 2021 suspension for failing to meet registration requirements since she demonstrated compliance with the suspension order and possessed the requisite character to practice law.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: PM-73-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Vilas Dhar of Florida may be reinstated following his October 2021 suspension for failing to meet registration requirements and simultaneously grants him leave to resign from the New York bar for nondisciplinary reasons.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: PM-74-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Eric Plant may be reinstated following his October 2021 suspension for failing to meet registration requirements because he demonstrated compliance with the suspension order and possessed the requisite character to practice law.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: PM-76-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the Vermont Supreme Court grants attorney Eva Vekos’ motion to dissolve the interim suspension of her law license. Vekos cooperated with the disciplinary counsel by responding to the request for information about her medical records. Affirmed.
Court: Vermont Supreme Court, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 22, 2024, Case #: 24-AP-070, Categories: attorney Discipline
J. Marquez finds that the disciplinary counsel properly declined to apply Colorado's five-year statute of limitations to reciprocal disciplinary proceedings brought against attorney John F. Kennedy. Although the proceedings were brought nearly 15 years after the attorney's initial misconduct was discovered in Washington, D.C., the limitations period in attorney discipline cases is not meant to apply to reciprocal proceedings, which do not reexamine any of the misconduct or make independent findings. Affirmed.
Court: Colorado Supreme Court, Judge: Marquez, Filed On: April 22, 2024, Case #: 2024CO21, Categories: Civil Procedure, attorney Discipline
Per curiam, the appellate division finds that attorney Zak Ahmad Aljaludi, who had been suspended for failing to meet registration requirements, should be disbarred in New York for misconduct committed in New Jersey, including misappropriation of client funds, which led to disbarment in that state. Aljaludi demonstrated a "lack of interest in his fate as an attorney" by failing to respond to the New Jersey charges, which also included misrepresentation, poor recordkeeping, and failing to cooperate with the misconduct investigation, and he similarly failed to respond to disciplinary charges brought in New York.
Court: New York Appellate Divisions, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 18, 2024, Case #: PM-69-24, Categories: attorney Discipline
J. Womack finds the circuit court improperly denied the remaining plaintiffs-attorneys' petition for declaratory judgment. The attorneys, as officers of the court, seek to carry guns in court. As officers of the court, according to the clear language of amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution, the attorneys are allowed to carry guns in courthouses. The Arkansas Supreme Court distinguished courtrooms from courthouses because the General Assembly distinguished them in the section being interpreted, not considering courthouses and courtrooms the same. Courtroom-specific claims may proceed. Reversed in part.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court, Judge: Womack , Filed On: April 18, 2024, Case #: CV-23-477, Categories: Constitution, Firearms, attorney Discipline
J. VanMeter finds that an indefinite suspension should be imposed upon attorney Gary Alan Tabler for failing to timely estate inventories and periodic settlements while functioning as long-term administrator of an estate, then failing to respond to the charge.
Court: Kentucky Supreme Court, Judge: VanMeter, Filed On: April 18, 2024, Case #: 2024-SC-0027-KB, Categories: attorney Discipline