Title: Matter of Autman
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: 152, 2002, 434, 2001
State: Delaware
Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court
Date: June 3, 2002

0IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
IN THE MATTER OF A MEMBER §
OF THE BAR OF THE SUPREME
§
COURT OF THE STATE OF
§  Nos. 434, 2001 and
DELAWARE:
§
152, 2002
§ 
W. LEE AUTMAN, JR.
§ 
Submitted: May 6, 2002
Decided:
June 3, 2002
Before VEASEY, Chief Justice, WALSH, and HOLLAND, Justices.
O R D E R
This 3rd day of June 2002, it appears to the Court that:
(1)
The two matters pending before the Court involve separate
petitions for discipline against W. Lee Autman, Jr., Esquire.  A panel of the
Board on Professional Responsibility (the Board) issued a report dated
September 4, 2001 accepting a stipulation signed by the Office of Disciplinary
Counsel (ODC) and Autman. In the stipulation, Autman admitted certain
violations of the Delaware Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct (DLRPC).
As a result of those violations, the panel recommended that Autman be publicly
reprimanded and placed on probation for two years.  The panel’s report was
filed with this Court in case No. 434, 2001.  Autman, through his counsel, and
the ODC advised the Court there were no objections to the panel’s report.  On
October 18, 2001, we stayed further proceedings in case No. 434, 2001 until the
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resolution of other disciplinary charges against Autman pending before another
panel of the Board.
(2)
On March 22, 2002, the second panel of the Board filed its report
and recommendation in case No. 152, 2002.  In that case, the panel found
numerous violations of Autman’s professional duties, including: lack of
competence in client affairs, failure to maintain proper financial records, failure
to file tax returns, and dishonest conduct in representations made to a
governmental agency and to this Court on his Annual Registration Statement.
 The panel recommended that Autman be suspended from the practice of law
for three years.  The ODC has indicated it has no objections to the panel’s
report.  Counsel for Autman, however, advised the Court on April 11, 2002 that
he could not take a position on Autman’s behalf with regard to the panel’s
report because he had not received any directive from Autman on how to
proceed.  Previously, on March 13, 2002, counsel had filed a motion to
withdraw in case No. 434, 2001 because he and Autman could not agree on the
scope and nature of counsel’s continued representation in that matter.
(3)
The Clerk of this Court directed Autman to respond to his
counsel’s position in both cases.  Autman failed to respond to either of the
Court’s directives.  Accordingly, the Court finds that Autman’s counsel should
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be permitted to withdraw in both pending matters.  Moreover, given Autman’s
failure to respond to his former counsel or to this Court, we deem Autman to
have waived his right to file objections to the panel’s report and
recommendation in case No. 152, 2002.
(4)
The Court has considered these matters carefully.  We accept the
respective panels’ findings of fact in both matters.  Furthermore, given
Autman’s many and serious violations of his professional duties, his knowing
misconduct, the risk of serious injury created by his misconduct, his pattern of
misconduct, and his significant prior disciplinary record, we find the panel’s
recommendation in case No. 152, 2002, consisting of a three year suspension,
to be appropriate. 
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that:
(i)
The panels’ findings of fact are hereby ACCEPTED.  Copies of
both reports are attached hereto.  Autman shall be suspended from the practice
of law for a period of three years beginning June 17, 2002 and ending upon his
reinstatement for which application may be made on or after June 16, 2005.
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(ii)
During the period of suspension, Autman shall conduct no act
directly or indirectly constituting the practice of law, including the sharing or
receipt of any legal fees. Autman also shall be prohibited from having any
contact with clients or prospective clients or witnesses or prospective witnesses
when acting as a paralegal, legal assistant, or law clerk under the supervision
of a member of the Delaware Bar.
(iii)
The ODC shall file a petition in the Court of Chancery for the
appointment of a receiver for Autman’s law practice.
(iv)
Autman shall assist the Receiver in following the directives of
Rules 21 and 23 of the Delaware Lawyers’ Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.
(v)
The Receiver shall make such arrangements as may be necessary
to protect the interests of any of Autman’s clients.
(vi)
Autman shall pay the costs of these disciplinary proceedings.
(vii)
These matters are hereby CLOSED. The ODC shall disseminate
this Order in accordance with Rule 14 of the Delaware Lawyers’ Rules of
Disciplinary Procedure.
BY THE COURT:
   s/Joseph T. Walsh
Justice