Case Title: Matter of a Member of the Bar: Willard

Citation: 

Docket Number: 137-2017

State: delaware

Court: Delaware Supreme Court

Date: 2017-03-29T00:00:00Z

Document:
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

IN THE MATTER OF A MEMBER §
OF THE BAR OF THE SUPREME § No. 137, 2017

COURT OF THE STATE OF §
DELAWARE: §
§ Board Case Nos. 112258-B and
JOHN M. WILLARD, § 112364-B
Petitioner. §

‘Submitted: March 28, 2017
Decided: March 29, 2017

Before STRINE, Chief Justice; VAUGHN, and SEITZ, Justices.
ORDER
This 29" day of March 2017, upon receipt of sufficient evidence
demonstrating that John M. Willard, Esquire (“the Petitioner”) is suffering from
physical or mental health problems that adversely affect his ability to practice

law, and without opposition from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“the

 

DC", it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

(1) The Petitioner, for good cause shown, is hereby imme

 

ately
transferred to disability inactive status under Rule 19 of the Delaware Lawyers’
Rules of Disciplinary Procedure (“DLRPC”) until such time that he can
demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that any disabilities have been
removed.

(2) The Petitioner shall not practice law in this State or in any other

jurisdiction.
(3) The ODC shall file a petition in the Court of Chancery for the
appointment of a Receiver of the Petitioner's law practice under Rule 24 of the
DLRPC, and the Receiver shall provide notice to clients, adverse partes, and
others as required by Rule 23.

(4) The Receiver shall make such arrangements as may be necessary to
protect the interests of any of the Petitioner's clients and the public. The

Petit

 

nner shall cooperate in all respects with the Receiver, including providing
the Receiver with all of the Petitioner’s law office books and records.
(5) Any pending disciplinary proceedings against the Petitioner are
stayed pending further order of this Court.
(©) This Order shall be made public.
BY THE COURT:

4s/Collins J. Seitz, Jr
Justice