Opinion ID: 1774377
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Complaint's Tribunal's Denial of Setting Aside a Default Judgment under M.R.C.P. 60(b)

Text: The Order of Disbarment was mailed to Carter's last known mailing address, as well as every judge in Carter's county and the federal courts. The Complaint Tribunal later awarded the Mississippi Bar's Costs and Expenses in the disbarment. Carter stated that he received this Order, but failed to notify any of his clients of the disbarment, or any attorney with whom he had an ongoing case, and he also failed to file an affidavit of this notification to the Supreme Court. He stated that he failed to do these required duties because he was blocking things out. Carter filed a notice of appeal on this disbarment, using cause number 91-B-00315, on October 29, 1991. John Henson represented Carter as counsel. Carter motioned the Tribunal to reopen disbarment proceedings, set aside the judgment of disbarment and allow him instead to transfer to inactive status. Carter stated that he was unable to practice law because of personal incapacity. Based on this appeal, the Supreme Court of Mississippi decided to treat Carter's motion instead as a remand to the Complaint Tribunal to determine whether Carter could practice law. The Court remanded the matter to the Complaint Tribunal for a determination as to whether Carter was competent to practice law. The Court granted Carter's motion, only upon the condition that he not engage in the practice of law in Mississippi, either directly or indirectly, from the date of this order until the conclusion of proceedings before the complaint tribunal. Justice Sullivan signed this order for the Court, effective January 24, 1992. On January 14, 1993, Carter motioned the Complaint Tribunal to set a hearing date on his capacity to practice law. Carter stated in his Motion that he has complied with this (Court's) order. Carter stated that he now had the required character and education to be reactivated to the privilege of practicing law. An accompanying affidavit, signed by Dr. William McQuinn, stated that Carter was no longer impaired and could practice law. On March 15, 1993, Carter moved the Complaint Tribunal for a Partial Summary Judgment, requesting that (1) the tribunal approve his motion to practice law; and (2) that he be allowed to present a defense to the original disbarment, in 91-B-00315. On April 16, 1993, Carter motioned the Complaint Tribunal for relief from a Default Judgment entered, which led to his original disbarment. Carter alleged that he could not answer the original complaint because he was suffering from mental illness. Dr. William McQuinn signed an accompanying affidavit describing Carter's inability to answer the original charges because of his mental illness. On July 8, 1993, the Complaint Tribunal held a hearing to determine whether Carter was entitled to relief from the default judgment. Dr. William McQuinn, a psychologist, testified that Carter suffered from serious depression for two years prior to May 1991, when Carter began to see Dr. McQuinn. Dr. McQuinn stated that Carter's depression manifested itself in Carter's inability to deal with anything stressful, at least from March 1991 to October 1991. This depression arose from marital difficulties culminating in divorce. Dr. McQuinn stated that Carter was hospitalized twice for depression, in October and December 1991. Dr. McQuinn had Dr. Charlton Stanley test Carter for a diagnosis of his mental condition. According to Dr. McQuinn, Dr. Stanley's findings supported Dr. McQuinn's diagnosis. Dr. McQuinn stated that he had recommended Carter cease law practice in October and December 1991. Dr. McQuinn did not recommend withdrawal from law practice in May 1991. Dr. McQuinn found that Carter was capable of resuming practice in April 1992. On July 8, 1993, the Complaint Tribunal directed the Mississippi Bar to take a position concerning Carter's mental competence to practice law. Both the Mississippi Bar and Carter agreed to have Dr. Charlton Stanley evaluate Carter for competence in practicing law. Dr. Stanley determined that Carter was no longer impaired and was capable of practicing law. On hearing the evidence of Carter's competence, the Complaint Tribunal then made two orders. First, the Complaint Tribunal denied Carter's Motion for Relief from Default Judgment. The Tribunal determined that Carter failed to satisfy this Court's requirements for obtaining such a relief from judgment under Rich v. Nevels, 578 So.2d 609 (Miss. 1991). Second, the Complaint Tribunal reinstated Carter's appeal on this Court's docket. The Complaint Tribunal vacated this Court's suspension of Carter, and reinstated Carter's appeal, which effectively operated as supersedeas against the original order of disbarment, under Miss.R.Disc. 9.3. This reinstatement was effective July 22, 1993. Chief Justice Armis Hawkins, for the Court, set the original appeal of disbarment on this Court's docket and reinstated Carter to the practice of law, on August 17, 1993. Carter noticed an appeal from the Complaint Tribunal's Denial of Relief from the Default Judgment. This appeal was under cause no. 91-TS-1096. 91-B-00315 became 93-TS-00918, as it was given that number when the Tribunal reinstated Carter's original appeal. Justice Pittman, for this Court, consolidated the appeals for 91-TS-01096 and 93-TS-00918, on December 6, 1993. Carter filed a consolidated brief for both of these causes on May 31, 1994. The Mississippi Bar filed an appellee's brief on the consolidated causes on September 16, 1994.