Opinion ID: 801684
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Legal Standard for Identifying Misconduct

Text: Courts have consistently treated neglect of client matters and ineffective or incompetent representation as sanctionable conduct. See, ~ Gadda v. Ashcroft, 377 FJd 934, 940 (9th Cir. 2004); Amnesty Am. v. Town of W. Hartford, 361 F.3d 113, 133 (2d Cir. 2004); Matter of Rabinowitz, 596 N. Y.S.2d 398, 402 (N. Y. App. Div. 1993); United States v. Song, 902 F.2d 609 (7th Cir. 1990); In re of Kraft, 543 N. Y.S.2d 449 (N. Y. App. Div. J989); In re Bithoney, 486 F .2d 319 (1 st Cir. 1973). Such conduct is also sanctionable under the applicable professional rules and standards. Because Agola's conduct at issue in this matter occurred both prior to and after the New York Rules of Professional Conduct went into effect on April 1,2009 (the Rules), it is governed both by the Rules and the New York Lawyer's Code of Professional Responsibility (the Code). There is a continuity of an attorney's responsibilities and ethical obligations under both the old 6