Title: In Re Kennedy
Citation: 472 A.2d 1317
Docket Number: N/A
State: Delaware
Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court
Date: January 24, 1984

472 A.2d 1317 (1984)
In re John B. KENNEDY, Esquire, a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware.

Supreme Court of Delaware.
Submitted: April 11, 1983[*].
Submitted: October 17, 1983.
Decided: January 24, 1984.
O. Francis Biondi (argued), Wilmington, for Bd. on Professional Responsibility as to Nos. 204, 1982 and 60, 1983.
F. Alton Tybout (argued), Wilmington, for Bd. on Professional Responsibility as to No. 205, 1982.
Walter S. Rowland (argued), Wilmington, for Bd. on Professional Responsibility as to No. 75, 1983.
Samuel C. Stretton (argued), West Chester, Pa., for respondent.
Before McNEILLY, HORSEY and MOORE, JJ.
Submitted (Nos. 204 &amp; 205, 1982): April 11, 1983[*].
Submitted (Nos. 60 &amp; 75, 1983): October 17, 1983.
*1318 McNEILLY, Justice.
Several matters concerning John B. Kennedy, a member of the Bar of the State of Delaware, are before the Court for decision.
The Board on Professional Responsibility (hereinafter "Board"), an agency of this *1319 Court created under Supreme Court Rule 62, has held hearings involving separate charges of professional misconduct against Kennedy and has filed four Final Reports stating findings of fact and conclusions of law. The Reports are as follows:
As to representation of Karen Everett (No. 204, 1982)
As to representation of Robert A. Book (No. 205, 1982).
As to representation of Clara Tingle (No. 60, 1983)
On March 1, 1983, the Board issued the following Final Report recommending that Kennedy be disciplined for his failure to respond to subpoenas issued and interrogatories directed to him by the Board in eleven (11) proceedings pending before the Board charging Kennedy with professional misconduct.
(No. 75, 1983)
The first issue we address is Kennedy's denial that he violated any Disciplinary Rule. In Nos. 60, 204 and 205, Kennedy argues that the findings of fact and conclusions of law are incorrect because they are not supported by the evidence in the record. We are not persuaded that there is any merit to this argument. To the extent creditibility was an issue, the Board resolved it and there is substantial evidence in the record to support the Board's findings and its conclusions of law. Accordingly, we confirm each Report as filed by the Board. See Supreme Court Rule 64. Further, the Board's conclusions of law based on its findings of fact are correct as a matter of law.
We next address Kennedy's contention in support of his appeal which he raises in all four cases that his right to due process has been violated by a commingling of the investigative, prosecutorial and adjudicative roles among the Board members and by the appointment by this Court of a Special Prosecutor. While Kennedy concedes that the Board Rules contain strict safeguards preventing the commingling of these three functions in the same proceeding and they were followed in each case,[6] it is his contention that the Board Rules are unconstitutional *1327 because they do not prevent a Board member from presenting the evidence to the Board in one case arising out of one set of facts and sitting as an adjudicator and deciding another matter before the Board involving the same attorney but arising out of entirely separate facts. Specifically, Kennedy argues that he was denied due process of law because the bias which Mr. Tybout acquired against him while investigating and presenting the evidence before the Board at the hearing in No. 205 prevented him from impartially sitting on the panel adjudicating No. 204. Kennedy makes the same argument with regard to Mr. Biondi's investigating and presenting evidence in No. 60 and sitting on the panel adjudicating No. 204. Additionally, Kennedy also argues that this Court's appointment of a Special Prosecutor in No. 75 not only exceeds the authority of the Court and its Rules, but asserts that "[t]he involvement of the Court in a prosecutorial decision is another example of the inherent taint present where there is a commingling of functions." We find these arguments to be without merit.
In Withrow v. Larkin, 421 U.S. 35, 95 S. Ct. 1456, 43 L. Ed. 2d 712 (1975), the United States Supreme Court rejected a physician's claim that proceedings before the medical examining board to revoke his license denied him due process of law because the same members both investigated and adjudicated the case. In Withrow v. Larkin, the Court stated:
In Nos. 204, 205 and 60, Kennedy has presented no evidence to overcome this presumption of honesty and integrity other than to say conclusively that the participation of a Board member who acts in an adjudicative or investigative role in one proceeding and in a judicial role in another proceeding involving different facts is a violation of due process. In effect, Kennedy asks this Court to hold that it is a per se violation of due process for the Board to combine its investigative and adjudicative functions where the combination does not occur in the same proceeding but in different proceedings. This has never been the law, and we decline to adopt this approach. See Withrow v. Larkin Id; Schweiker v. McClure, 456 U.S. 188, 102 S. Ct. 1665, 72 L. Ed. 2d 1 (1982); Doraiswamy v. Secretary of Labor, 555 F.2d 832 (D.C.Cir.1976).
Kennedy's attempt to distinguish Withrow v. Larkin on the ground that it allows the commingling of "investigative" and "adjudicative" roles but not "prosecutorial" and "adjudicative" is without merit in that the Board members act not as prosecutors but as investigators. Under Board Rule 5 the Board by subcommittee conducts a preliminary investigation to determine whether a rule to show cause should issue. If the Board determines that a rule to show cause should issue, a formal private hearing is held at which the Board member charged with investigating the complaint presents his findings. At that time, the respondent is given notice and a reasonable opportunity to present such matters as he may choose; at the formal hearing an opportunity to present evidence and cross examine witnesses is afforded. Rule 7. To quote the Supreme Court of Missouri:
Matter of Duncan, Mo.Supr., 541 S.W.2d 564, 568 (1976). In that the Board followed its rules and procedure and that no evidence has been offered rebutting the presumption of honesty and integrity, Kennedy's first argument must fall.
As to Kennedy's second contention concerning the appointment by this Court of a Special Prosecutor in No. 75 to handle a large volume of complaints against Kennedy, there is no merit to the argument that this Court exceeded its authority or became "tainted" in the adjudicative process in that the Special Prosecutor exercised no other function than that performed by an Associate Member of Board similarly appointed.[7] The fact that the Special Prosecutor carried *1329 a different title has no legal significance. Moreover, Kennedy's failure to object at the hearing to the subpoenas and interrogatories served on him by the Special Prosecutor requires a showing of prejudice suffered by him in order for his argument to succeed. Having failed to make such a showing, Kennedy was neither denied equal protection nor due process of law.
Kennedy's next contention, raised in Nos. 60, 204 and 205, is that his due process rights have been violated in that hearsay evidence but not the results of a polygraph examination was admitted by the Board pursuant to Board Rule 9. We find this argument to be without merit.
The Board is an agency of this Court, and its proceedings can be properly classified as administrative in nature. The Board's Rule 9 provides:
Rule 9, which was approved by this Court, by its terms allows evidence to be admitted which is hearsay so long as it "possesses probative value commonly accepted by reasonably prudent men in the conduct of their appeal". The Due Process clause has never been read to mean that the admission of hearsay evidence in an administrative type proceeding is a violation of that clause, and we decline to accept that reading today. See Consolidated Edison Co. v. National Labor Relations Board, 305 U.S. 197, 59 S. Ct. 206, 83 L. Ed. 126 (1938); Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 91 S. Ct. 1420, 28 L. Ed. 2d 842 (1971); Schaefer v. United States, 633 F.2d 945, 952 (Ct.Cl.1980); Smith v. Edmiston, 431 F. Supp. 941, 946 (W.D.Tenn.1977). Moreover, even if the strict rules of evidence should have been followed, reversal would not be warranted notwithstanding the hearsay because we find sufficient competent evidence with probative value in the record to support the Board's decision. Geegan v. Unemployment Compensation Commission, Del.Supr., 76 A.2d 116 (1950).
As to Kennedy's contention in No. 60 that "the Board erred since it did not uniformly apply the lesser evidentiary standard" in admitting hearsay evidence while denying his request that the witnesses submit to polygraph examinations and the results of which be admitted into evidence, we fail to find that a "double standard" has been applied. First, the Board never attempted to admit the results of a polygraph examination against Kennedy. Second, the Board committed no error by denying Kennedy's request in that this Court has recognized that "[p]olygraph examinations are generally held inadmissible for any purpose because their scientific reliability has not been established." Foraker v. State, Del.Supr., 394 A.2d 208 (1978). Since it has been shown that the admissibility of hearsay evidence and denial of polygraph results does not create a double standard, Kennedy was not denied due process of law.
We now turn to Kennedy's arguments raised in Nos. 205 and 75 that Disciplinary *1330 Rule 2-106 is unconstitutionally vague and that the vagueness of the discovery provisions of the Rules denied him due process.
The United States Supreme Court has recently articulated the task a court must perform in dealing with a facial challenge based on the vagueness of a law. In Village of Hoffman Estates v. Flipside, Hoffman Estates, Inc., 455 U.S. 489, 102 S. Ct. 1186, 1191, 1193, 71 L. Ed. 2d 362 (1982), the United States Supreme Court stated:
In that the challenged law does not interfere with constitutionally protected conduct, See Papachristou v. City of Jacksonville, 405 U.S. 156, 92 S. Ct. 839, 31 L. Ed. 2d 110 (1972); Grayned v. City of Rockford, 408 U.S. 104, 92 S. Ct. 2294, 33 L. Ed. 2d 222 (1972), the analysis outlined in Village of Hoffman Estates v. Flipside, Hoffman Estates, Inc. is applicable. Applying this analysis to the instant case, Kennedy cannot be heard to complain that DR2-106 is vague in that his conduct in the instant case is clearly proscribed by the Disciplinary Rule.
Disciplinary Rule 2-106(A) provides:
The rule then provides a guideline for determining an excessive fee in subsection (B) which provides:
In its report, the Board applied these factors and found among other things that: (1) no substantial amount of time or legal effort was entailed; (2) the representation of Mr. Book did not preclude Kennedy from *1331 accepting other employment; (3) the 50% contingent fee in this type of case was substantially in excess of the fee customarily charged in this state; (4) Kennedy achieved no significant results as a result of his representation of Mr. Book; (5) there were no time limitations imposed; (6) there was no other professional relationship between Kennedy and Mr. Book; and (7) Kennedy's experience, reputation, and ability were not factors in calculating the fee since there was really no legal effort involved in obtaining the benefits. Given our conclusion that these findings are supported by sufficient evidence in the record, we find that this fee arrangement is clearly the kind of arrangement proscribed by DR2-106, and as such the rule is not impermissibly vague in all of its applications.
As to the vagueness of the discovery rules, Kennedy contends that since there are no specific provisions for reciprocal discovery rights under Rules 8 and 13 of the Board, those discovery rules are unconstitutional under the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution. This argument, however, fails to recognize that other Rules of the Board are specifically tailored to afford a respondent discovery rights and protection. For instance, Rule 11 provides that:
Similarly, Rule 10 gives a respondent the right to seek an appropriate order to compel "the testimony of a witness residing outside the State by deposition or otherwise". Furthermore, a respondent under Rule 5 may apply "to the full Board ... for a protective order and the Board ..., for good cause shown, may quash or modify the subpoena or grant protective relief from the interrogatories". Therefore, we find no merit to Kennedy's argument that the discovery provisions of the Board are one-sided in violation of his right to due process.
We turn now to Kennedy's contention in No. 60, 1983 that the Board's refusal to continue the case denied his right to counsel, his right to confront witnesses and consequently, his right to a fair trial.
At the outset, we note that a discretionary ruling by a trial court or administrative body on a motion for a continuance will not be set aside unless that decision is unreasonable or capricious. Raymond Heartless, Inc. v. State, Del.Supr., 401 A.2d 921 (1979); Blackledge v. Com. Pennsylvania State Police, 62 Pa.Cmwlth. 188, 435 A.2d 309 (1981). Turning to the facts surrounding the request for a continuance, we see that the continuance was requested because of scheduling conflicts of Kennedy's attorney. We note, however, that Kennedy had notice of the possible charges against him approximately six months before the hearing was actually scheduled, and no request for a continuance was made within one month of having received notice that the hearing date had been set. In addition, we find that the alleged scheduling conflicts of Kennedy's lawyer arose after the hearing date was set. Therefore, absent constitutional infirmities, the Board did not abuse its discretion in denying the continuance.
Kennedy's argument that the Board's determination denied him his constitutional right to counsel is without merit. The right to counsel does not mean an absolute right to particular counsel of one's choice. For instance, in Hodge v. Hodge, 507 F.2d 87 (3rd Cir.1974), the Third Circuit Court of Appeals held that:
Since Kennedy had two weeks' notice that his request for a continuance had been denied, we find he had ample opportunity to obtain other counsel. In addition, due to our determination that the facts and issues in the case were relatively uncomplicated and at the same time not novel, or requiring particular expertise, we find that substitute counsel could reasonably prepare for the hearing in the two week period.
As to Kennedy's claim that he was denied the right to confront witnesses against him, a ruling in his favor would ignore the fact that he chose to leave the hearing voluntarily even in the face of a subpoena commanding him to appear and testify. Overall, we cannot find a violation of Kennedy's right to a fair trial when Kennedy elected to neither obtain counsel nor confront witnesses by his decision to leave the hearing.
Kennedy's final two allegations, arising in reference to No. 75, argue that he was denied due process of law since he was never notified he was being charged with a disciplinary violation and the discipline recommended by the Board was unwarranted because he relied upon the advice of counsel in an alleged good faith challenge to the discovery rules. We find that neither contention has merit.
First, we note that the subpoenas served on Kennedy stated that a failure to respond might constitute contempt of this Court. In addition, the Final Report in regard to this matter recommended discipline for a finding of contempt of this Court in failing to answer subpoenas and interrogatories not a recommendation for discipline based upon a finding of a disciplinary violation under the Code of Professional Responsibility. Therefore, Kennedy's first argument must fall.
Second, Kennedy's contention that he acted in good faith reliance on the advice of his attorney in not responding to interrogatories and depositions is not supported by the record. Unlike the situation in In re Kennedy, Del.Supr., 442 A.2d 79 (1981), where this Court upheld Kennedy's good faith challenge to production of records involving the Clients' Security Trust Fund, Kennedy completely ignored Rule 5 which was pertinent to this case and never sought a protective order from the full Board anytime during the five-month period between July 9, 1982, when he was served the earliest set of subpoenas and interrogatories in this matter, and December 8, 1982, when the hearing took place. Rather, he attempted to raise constitutional challenges to the discovery provision by petitioning this Court for a continuance on December 1, 1982 and upon denial of his request, raising them before the Board at the December 8, 1982 hearing. Based upon Kennedy's failure to adhere to the Rules as set forth by this Court, we find that he is barred from alleging a good faith argument in support of his position.
Having affirmed the findings of the Board, this Court must now turn its attention to what disciplinary action, if any, must be taken to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the Bar. Generally, measures imposed for professional misconduct include private reprimand, public reprimand, suspension, and disbarment. Several factors, however, must be considered whenever the Court undertakes this task.
First, the fact that the Board issued final reports in all the matters presently before *1333 the Court indicates that the Board was either expressly or impliedly of the opinion that more than a private censure was required. See Supreme Court Rule 63(d)(i). Second, "any [prior] discipline or admonition of a respondent by the Court or the Board may be considered ... in determining the appropriateness of any discipline, or the form of any discipline, in subsequent cases against the defendant." Supreme Court Rule 63(d)(iii). In other words, this Court must review Kennedy's entire history since that time when he became a member of this Bar in 1974 in order to determine what effect, if any, prior disciplinary measures against Kennedy have on today's ruling. Third, since the Court in its discretion can impose such disciplinary measures as it deems appropriate, it is necessary to consider any mitigating as well as aggravating circumstances going to the type and severity of the violations committed.
Turning to the violations themselves, we note that Kennedy's behavior as a member of this Bar has fallen short of its duty in the following ways.[8] First, in No. 60, Kennedy has failed to assist in maintaining the integrity and competence of the legal profession by conduct, which to say the least, was prejudicial to the effective administration of justice. Second, Kennedy by not taking reasonable steps to avoid prejudice to his client's rights upon withdrawal from employment in No. 204 and by charging excessive fees in No. 205 has failed to assist the legal profession in fulfilling its duty to make legal counsel available. Third, Kennedy in No. 204 has failed to represent his client competently by neglecting to file an affidavit of dependency as required by 13 Del.C. § 1512(a). Fourth, and not least, Kennedy has demonstrated on multiple occasions that he does not adhere to the concept of representing a client zealously within the bounds of the law. In No. 204, Kennedy failed to seek the lawful objective of the client and, at the same time, failed to carry out his attorney/client employment contract. Also, in No. 60, he exhibited conduct which can only be described as discourteous and degrading to the tribunal.
Kennedy's failure in the matters presently before the Court to promote the concepts set forth in the select Canons of the Code of Professional Responsibility, described above, is further aggravated by the fact that this Court by Order dated July 10, 1978 publicly censured Kennedy for violation of the same concepts, violations of the same DR's, and a host of other DR's reflecting those same concepts.[9] Such being the case, this Court is highly concerned that the attitude of Kennedy, as reflected by what we deem an unheard of pattern of behavior by a member of this bar, has reached a point where drastic action must be taken regarding his fitness to practice law. In addition, the Court weighs heavily against Kennedy his contemptuous attitude in reference to an arm of this Court, namely the Board on Professional Responsibility, in his action in No. 75 regarding his lack of cooperation in the investigation into various complaints against him in that he failed to respond to subpoenas issued and interrogatories directed to him by the Board in eleven (11) proceedings charging him with misconduct.
Before turning to the imposition of the discipline, however, it is necessary in regard to No. 75 that we distinguish between the purpose of the disciplinary process and the invocation of the contempt power of the Courts which uniformly is directed to acts which threaten to obstruct justice, threaten to obstruct the carrying out of court orders, or threaten to bring a court into disrepute. Disciplinary processes, on the other hand, although they may overlap contempt sanctions *1334 to some degree, are designed to focus on the protection of the public from lawyers whose conduct falls below that prescribed by the Code of Professional Responsibility Standard 1.1 of the A.B.A. Standards for Lawyer Discipline and Disability Proceedings (February 1979), which provides:
Thus, while some instances of Kennedy's misconduct do not involve contempt of court, e.g., excessive fee charging, it is difficult to conclude that those instances which involve contemptuous acts do not call into question the fitness of Kennedy to practice law. Therefore, we weigh them equally along with the other types regardless of the contempt sanctions (or lack thereof) already imposed.
We now turn to the imposition of the discipline itself. Fully aware of the wide range of discipline available and finding no mitigating circumstances which affect the nature or degree of the discipline imposed, we hereby suspend John B. Kennedy for a period of two years, effective immediately. We further hold that during the period of suspension, Kennedy shall not (a) engage in any activity whatsoever as a member of the Delaware Bar; (b) share in any fees collected, billed, or earned by any other attorney for legal services rendered by such attorney; (c) resort to the use of professional stationary, even for personal correspondence; (d) maintain any telephone listing as an attorney; (e) advertise in any medium the ability to practice law; (f) maintain or occupy any office designated as a law office; and that, without limiting the foregoing, the latter restriction specifically requires Kennedy to (1) remove immediately from any premises any sign bearing his name as an attorney and (2) remove immediately from any premises maintained or occupied by him any sign indicating usage as a law office.
Furthermore, within thirty (30) days of today's date, Kennedy shall notify or cause to be notified by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested; (a) all clients being represented in pending matters; (b) any and all co-counsel in pending matters; (c) any opposing attorney in pending matters, or in the absence of such attorney, the adverse parties; (d) all persons or their agents or guardians to whom a fiduciary duty is or may be owed at any time after today's date; and (e) all other persons with whom Kennedy may at any time expect to have professional contacts under circumstances where there is a reasonable probability that they may infer that Kennedy continues as an attorney in good standing. The required notice shall advise of this Court's ruling and that Kennedy is disqualified to act as a lawyer after today's date. The notice to be given to opposing attorneys or the adverse party shall state the place of residence of Kennedy.
It is further ordered that within thirty (30) days, Kennedy shall deliver to all *1335 clients being represented in pending matters any papers or other property to which the client is entitled and shall notify them or any counsel representing them of a suitable time and place, calling attention to any urgency for obtaining the papers or other property. In addition, within the said thirty (30) day period, Kennedy shall refund any part of any fees paid by a client in advance which have not been earned to date.
In the event a client does not obtain another lawyer within the first twenty (20) days of the above-mentioned thirty (30) day period, it shall be the responsibility of Kennedy within the remaining ten (10) days of the thirty (30) day period to move the court or agency in which the client's matter is pending for leave to withdraw. If such is the situation, Kennedy shall file with the court or agency before which the litigation is pending a copy of the notice to opposing counsel or adverse parties.
At a time on or before the completion of the thirty (30) day period, Kennedy shall file with this Court an affidavit showing (a) his full compliance with the provisions set forth above; (b) a list of all other state, federal and administrative jurisdictions to which he is admitted to practice; and (c), his residence or other addresses to which communications thereafter may be directed.
In the event that Kennedy fails to comply with the conditions set forth regarding the thirty (30) day period or upon evidence that he has failed to continue complying with any other conditions of his suspension, this Court upon proper proof shall appoint a receiver with such powers as this Court shall direct.
At the expiration of the full two year suspension, Kennedy may apply to the Board for reinstatement. At that time, the burden is on Kennedy to demonstrate proof of rehabilitation sufficient to overcome his present inabilities to practice. Upon such proof, this Court will order reinstatement.
The suspension imposed today in no way affects any other matter pending before the Board, and the findings of the Board in regard to those matters shall be considered on a cumulative basis in determining any reinstatement petition along with Kennedy's compliance with today's mandates. Therefore, the Board is hereby directed to continue to investigate matters presently before it, and any others arising out of representations of Kennedy prior to today, so that they can be considered either for purposes of determining whether further sanctions are appropriate, or in the event Kennedy seeks reinstatement under the provisions set forth above upon the expiration of the two year period which commences this 24th day of January, 1984.
This 10th day of July, 1978,
It Appearing to the Court:
I. That the Censor Committee of this Court has filed herein a Final Report in the above captioned matter, dated April 14, 1976, as follows:
II. That the Respondent filed Exceptions to the foregoing Report of the Censor Committee, which said Exceptions were briefed and argued to this Court upon the following grounds:
III. That upon due consideration of the Respondent's Exceptions and the briefs and arguments of counsel, there is no merit in the Respondent's Exceptions or the arguments in support thereof, and that the Censor Committee's Final Report and recommendation of disciplinary action against the Respondent should be approved;
IV. That, however, the degree of disciplinary action to be taken by this Court should be determined in the light of these facts and circumstances:
(1) That the Final Report of the Censor Committee filed herein be and it is hereby approved; and
(2) That, as sanction for the violations of the Delaware Lawyer's Code of Professional Responsibility therein set forth, the respondent John B. Kennedy be and he hereby is PUBLICLY CENSURED; and
(3) That copy hereof be transmitted by the Clerk to the Chief Judge of each State Court and to the Prothonotary and Register in Chancery of each County.
[*]  Issuance of a decision in Nos. 204 and 205, 1982, submitted on April 11, 1983 was deferred until this time in order for the Court to address the common issues of law raised in Nos. 60 and 75, 1983, submitted on October 17, 1983.
[1]  The Code of Professional Responsibility provides as follows:

DR6-101(A)(2) &amp; (3)
(A) A lawyer shall not:
* * * * * *
(2) Handle a legal matter without preparation adequate in the circumstances.
(3) Neglect a legal matter entrusted to him. DR7-101(A)(1) &amp; (2)
(A) A lawyer shall not intentionally:
(1) Fail to seek the lawful objectives of his client through reasonably available means permitted by law and the Disciplinary Rules, except as provided by DR 7-101(B). A lawyer does not violate this Disciplinary Rule, however, by acceding to reasonable requests of opposing counsel which do not prejudice the rights of his client, by being punctual in fulfilling all professional commitments, by avoiding offensive tactics, or by treating with courtesy and consideration all persons involved in the legal process.
(2) Fail to carry out a contract of employment entered into with a client for professional services, but he may withdraw as permitted under DR2-110, DR 5-102, and DR 5-105.
DR 2-110(a)(2)
(A) In general.
* * * * * *
(2) In any event, a lawyer shall not withdraw from employment until he has taken reasonable steps to avoid forseeable prejudice to the rights of his client, including giving due notice to his client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, delivering to the client all papers and property to which the client is entitled and complying with applicable laws and rules.
[2]  The Code of Professional Responsibility provides:

DR2-106(A) &amp; (B).
(A) A lawyer shall not enter into an agreement for, charge or collect an illegal or clearly excessive fee.
(B) A fee is clearly excessive when, after a review of the facts, a lawyer of ordinary prudence would be left with a definite and firm conviction that the fee is in excess of a reasonable fee. Factors to be considered as guides in determining the reasonableness of a fee include the following:
(1) The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly.
(2) The likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer.
(3) The fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services.
(4) The amount involved and the results obtained.
(5) The time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances.
(6) The nature and length of the professional relationship with the client.
(7) The experience, reputation and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services.
(8) Whether the fee is fixed or contingent.
[3]  The Code of Professional Responsibility provides as follows:

DR 7-106(C)(6)
In appearing in his professional capacity before a tribunal, a lawyer shall not:
* * * * * *
(6) Engage in undignified or discourteous conduct which is degrading to a tribunal. DR1-102(A)(5)
A lawyer shall not:
* * * * * *
(5) Engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
[4]  Rule 8 of the Board on Professional Responsibility states that "[t]he Board may require any member of the Bar to answer written interrogatories propounded by it relevant to any matter which is the subject of an investigation or a preliminary or formal hearing."

Rule 13 provides for the issuance of "[s]ubpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records ... "and" may, in the alternative, require the person to whom it is directed to make written answer to written interrogatories to be attached thereto."
[5]  The Code of Professional Responsibility provides:

DR 1-103(C)
A lawyer under investigation by the Board on Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Delaware shall, upon proper request of the Board on Professional Responsibility or an investigating member or subcommittee of the Board on Professional Responsibility, make available to the Board on Professional Responsibility, its investigating members and subcommittees and their agents all books, records and other documents which may be pertinent to the subject of the investigation and which may not properly be withheld on the ground of privilege.
[6]  Rule 3 of the Board provides:

All complaints against members of the Bar shall be in writing, shall set out with particularity the essential facts constituting the matter complained of, and shall be filed initially with the Chairman of the Board. In the event a complaint is made orally to any member of the Board, it shall be the duty of such member, or some other member of the Board to be designated by the Chairman for the purpose, to assist the complaining party or party acting on his behalf (hereinafter called the complainant) to put such complaint in writing. The member so assisting the complainant thereafter shall take no part in the deliberations or decision of the Board with respect to such complaint, but such member shall not be disqualified from being appointed a member of the subcommittee to make a preliminary investigation of the complaint in accordance with Rule 5 nor shall such member be disqualified from being appointed to formulate an order to show cause, to examine witnesses and present evidence of the charge before the Board as provided in Rule 6.
Rule 5 of the Board provides in pertinent part:
The Chairman may refer each complaint or investigation sua sponte to a subcommittee consisting of one or more members of the Board for preliminary investigation. The subcommittee shall investigate such complaint or other matter referred as fully as need be to determine the essential facts of the matter prima facie, and shall submit a report thereof to the Board with appropriate recommendations as to the disposition of the matter. The subcommittee may require the attendance of witnesses and production of documents by subpoenas and interrogatories directed to the lawyer being investigated or other witness. The person to whom the subpoena or interrogatories are directed may, at any time prior to the time stated therein for appearance, production or answer, apply to the full Board on Professional Responsibility for a protective order, and the Board on Professional Responsibility, for good cause shown, may quash or modify the subpoena or grant protective relief from the interrogatories. Upon receiving the subcommittee's report, the Board shall take such action in respect thereto as the facts and circumstances warrant. No member of the investigating subcommittee shall take part in the deliberations or decision of the Board with respect to such matter but members of the investigating subcommittee shall not be disqualified from being appointed to formulate an order to show cause, to examine witnesses and present evidence of the charge before the Board as proved in Rule 6.
Rule 6 of the Board provides in pertinent part:
In the event the Board decides to hold a hearing in respect to any complaint or other matter brought to its attention, the Chairman of the Board shall appoint one of its members to formulate an order to show cause against the attorney and to examine the witnesses and present all evidence in support of the charges before the Board. Such member so appointed shall take no other part in the deliberations or decision of the Board in respect to such matter.
[7]  Walter S. Rowland, Esq., who was neither a Member nor an Associate Member of the Board during the investigation of any of the complaints against Kennedy, was appointed by this Court to serve as a "Special Prosecutor" for two reasons: One, to handle and coordinate the unusually large number of complaints against Kennedy, and two, to allay the grievances asserted by Kennedy in other cases regarding the commingling of "investigative" and "adjudicative" functions of Board Members assigned to individual complaints. Rowland's subsequent appointment to the Board as an Associate Member by Order of this Court dated July 8, 1983 has no further bearing in this regard to complaints against Kennedy or any other Respondent since amended Board Rules 5 and 6, effective June 8, 1983, permits Associate Members to only investigate complaints and present their findings to the Board who alone decides or adjudicates as to the merits of the complaint.
[8]  The Court in attempting to classify Kennedy's actions finds it suitable to rely on the general concepts of the Code of Professional Responsibility set out in those Canons reflecting the Disciplinary Rules (DR's) violated, which unlike the Canons are mandatory in nature.
[9]  See Appendix A.