Opinion ID: 4323483
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Competency to Practice Law

Text: ¶10 At the evidentiary hearing, Petitioner produced numerous credible witnesses to testify to his competency and learning in the law. Indeed, several attorneys in good standing affirmed Petitioner's seasoned legal experience, knowledge of the law, and skills in client representation. Testimony of these character witnesses demonstrates that Petitioner has remained informed on current developments in the law. ¶11 Competency to practice law, however, requires more. Specifically, Rule 9.1 of the RGDP requires that within twenty (20) days after being suspended or after resigning pending disciplinary proceedings, the lawyer must notify all clients of his inability to continue representation and withdraw from all pending cases in all courts. 5 O.S.2011, ch. 1, app. 1-A. Additionally, within these twenty (20) days, the lawyer must file: an affidavit with the Commission and with the Clerk of the Supreme Court stating that the lawyer has complied with the provisions of this Rule, together with a list of the clients so notified and a list of all other State and Federal courts and administrative agencies before which the lawyer is admitted to practice. Proof of substantial compliance by the lawyer with this Rule 9.1 shall be a condition precedent to any petition for reinstatement. Id . (emphasis added). ¶12 Petitioner was suspended from the practice of law on January 24, 2011. Therefore, Petitioner's twenty-day deadline to withdraw and notify his clients and the courts was February 14, 2011, at the latest. Petitioner, however, failed to file any such record of his compliance until January 19, 2018, nearly seven (7) years later. The untimely affidavit also lacks compliance by neglecting to include a list of clients notified or courts or administrative agencies before which Petitioner was admitted to practice. ¶13 The Court has previously excused a nonconforming affidavit that, although untimely, was submitted within a reasonable period and included all documentation necessary to meet the standards imposed by the rule. See In re Reinstatement of Munson , 2010 OK 27, ¶ 28, 236 P.3d 96, 106 (finding proof of substantial compliance in notice filed nine (9) days late and then supplemented ten (10) days later with a full list of clients, agencies, and courts). Contrastingly, Petitioner's seven-year-late, incomplete affidavit does not signal a reasonable time period nor a sufficient effort to substantially comply with the standards imposed by the rule. Accordingly, Petitioner has failed to show clearly and convincingly that he is possessed of the requisite competency to re-engage in the practice of law. See id . ¶¶ 24-31, 236 P.3d at 105-07, In re Reinstatement of Bodnar , 2016 OK 12, ¶ 19, 367 P.3d 916, 920.