Title: STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. PARRIS
Citation: 2023 OK 39
Docket Number: 
State: Oklahoma
Issuer: Oklahoma Supreme Court
Date: April 10, 2023

STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. PARRIS Annotate this Case STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. PARRIS 2023 OK 39 Case Number: SCBD-7234 Decided: 04/10/2023 THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA NOTICE: THIS OPINION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION. UNTIL RELEASED, IT IS SUBJECT TO REVISION OR WITHDRAWAL. STATE OF OKLAHOMA ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION Complainant, v. JOHN EVERETT PARRIS, Respondent. ORDER APPROVING RESIGNATION ¶1 On January 17, 2023, the Oklahoma Bar Association, notified the Court that the respondent, John Everett Parris, resigned from the Oklahoma Bar Association pending disciplinary proceedings. The disciplinary proceedings relate to six counts of ethical violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 5 O.S. 2011, Ch. 1, app. 3-A, that he failed to: diligently represent clients; appear at court hearings; adequately communicate with clients; perform work for fees he charged; and was cited for contempt of court resulting in serving time in the county jail.1 ¶2 THE COURT FINDS: 1. The respondent has voluntarily resigned from the Oklahoma Bar Association by complying with Rule 8.1 and Rule 8.2, Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings, 5 O.S. 2021 Ch. 1, App. 1-A. The respondent's affidavit of resignation reflects that: a) it was freely and voluntarily rendered; b) he was not subject to coercion or duress; and c) he was fully aware of the consequences of submitting the resignation. 2. The respondent states that he is aware of the Complaint filed in this Court on July 13, 2022, and the Amended Complaint filed on November 8, 2022 which contains six grievances against him. 3. The respondent states in his affidavit of resignation that he is aware that the allegations of conduct, if proven, would be a violation of Rules 1.1,1.2,1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.15, 3.3, 8.4(a)-(d) of the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, 5 O.S. 2021, Ch. 1, App. 3-A and Rules 1.3 and 5.2 of the Oklahoma Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings, 5 O.S. 2021 Ch. 1, App. 1-A and of his oath as an attorney. 4. The respondent's resignation pending disciplinary proceedings is in compliance with all of the requirements set forth in Rule 8.1, Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings, 5 O.S. 2021, Ch. 1, App. 1-A and it should be approved. 5. The official roster address of the respondent as shown by the Oklahoma Bar Association is: P.O. Box 1021, Sand Springs, OK 74063. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that John Everett Parris's resignation pending discipline be approved. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that John Everett Parris's name be stricken from the roll of attorneys. Because resignation pending disciplinary proceedings is tantamount to disbarment, the respondent may not make an application for reinstatement prior to the expiration of 5 years from the date of this order. Pursuant to Rule 9.1, Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings, 5 O.S. 2021, Ch. 1, App. 1-A, the respondent shall notify all of his clients having legal business pending with him within 20 days by certified mail of his inability to represent them and of the necessity for promptly retaining new counsel. DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT THIS 10th DAY OF APRIL 2023. /S/CHIEF JUSTICE ALL JUSTICES CONCUR FOOT