Opinion ID: 1895444
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Freedom of Association/Equal Protection.

Text: The following is the substance of Hall's assertion with regard to freedom of association and the right to equal protection: This Court's Disciplinary Rules and the Complaint Tribunal's Opinion and Judgment propose immediate suspension of this lawyer's practice, requiring him forthwith to notify his clients of the suspension, of his inability to practice and that they may come and pick up their files. There is no avenue afforded Hall  or any sole practitioner  to recoup for services rendered and expenses incurred prior to suspension. [cite omitted]. An attorney who chooses to associate with other attorneys and practice in a law partnership or other association is favored in Mississippi: If the client agrees, the law partners of a suspended or disbarred attorney may continue to represent any client affected by the suspension or disbarment.... Equal treatment is denied a sole practitioner such as Hall. (citations omitted). Procedure (11.4) under Rule 11 of the Rules of Discipline provides as follows: (11.4) Law Partners  Continuance of Representation.  If the client agrees, the law partners of a suspended or disbarred attorney may continue to represent any client affected by the suspension or disbarment, but notice thereof shall be given as set out above. (emphasis added). This issue may be disposed of without a prolix constitutional analysis. As the Bar points out, Rule 11 has an identical impact on all lawyers. Any suspended attorney's ability to collect fees for services rendered prior to suspension is dependent on the client selecting a replacement who is amenable to dividing revenues derived from the representation. Presumably, if the suspended attorney still has the ability to influence a client's choice, it would be easy enough to recommend a non-partner lawyer who would be willing to share the fee. [1] Absent some showing of unequal impact or some effect on Hall's associational freedom, there is no need to delve further into this issue.