Opinion ID: 1774377
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: what is the appropriate penalty for carter's practice of law, while under suspension by order of this court?

Text: The appropriate penalty for this situation is disbarment. In September 1991, the Complaint Tribunal determined that a penalty of disbarment was appropriate for Carter's activities, comprising the first count against him. Through Carter's request, this Court stayed a determination of that count while Carter recovered his capacity to practice law. This Court's only condition was that he refrain from practicing law during this period. Despite this Court's condition, Carter knowingly and deliberately continued his practice. He received the benefits of the stay in this first action, without accepting the responsibilities of this Court's condition. Carter also violated many of the same Rules of Professional Responsibility during this period which the Complaint Tribunal had found Carter to violate in the first action. This Court has heard many prior cases concerning violations of Rules 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4, which comprise the violations leading to Carter's first disbarment. This Court has not heard a direct violation of Rule 5.5(a). This Rule concerns a prohibition of practice where such practice would violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, such as practice without a license or while suspended. The West Virginia Supreme Court found a twelve month suspension proper under these circumstances. Committee on Legal Ethics of West Virginia State Bar v. Taylor, 190 W. Va. 133, 137, 437 S.E.2d 443, 447 (1993). However, where the attorney also committed ethical violations of failure to use diligence and communicate with a client, while practicing law during a suspension, the Oklahoma Supreme Court recommended disbarment. State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass'n v. Downing, 863 P.2d 1111, 1115 (Okla. 1993).