Opinion ID: 1755258
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: failure to cooperate with committee

Text: The Disciplinary Board alleges five specifications of misconduct by Jones in failing to cooperate with its investigations. Three of these allegations relate to Jones' lack of response to notices sent by ordinary mail. While the failure to acknowledge several letters is suspicious, these three specifications have not been proven by clear and convincing evidence. The other two charges relate to Jones' failure to appear at the offices of the bar association in response to subpoenas issued by this court and served on him. On both occasions he claims there was a conflict with a legislative committee meeting, although not during a legislative session. Jones apparently sent telegrams stating that he had conflicts and would not appear. This is insufficient response to Supreme Court subpoenas, and the failures to appear are serious incidents of misconduct. One who has not been relieved of a subpoena's command must appear or be held in contempt of court. Although there were no contempt proceedings, Jones has been proven guilty by clear and convincing evidence of failure to cooperate with the committee in these two instances. Attorney Jones' misconduct occurred both before and after January 1, 1987, when new Rules of Professional Conduct replaced the former Code of Professional Responsibility. The change has no substantive effect on these proceedings. The bar association proved, by clear and convincing evidence, that Jones is guilty of client neglect, delay in refunding unearned fees and failure to cooperate with the committee, in violation of the following Rules of Professional Conduct: Rule 1.3. Diligence A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client. Rule 1.4. Communication (a) A lawyer shall keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information. (b) The lawyer shall give the client sufficient information to participate intelligently in decisions concerning the objectives of the representation and the means by which they are to be pursued, to the extent the client is willing and able to do so. Rule 1.16. Declining or terminating representation (d) Upon termination of representation, a lawyer shall take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests, such as giving reasonable notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled and refunding any advance payment of fee that has not been earned. The lawyer may retain papers relating to the client to the extent permitted by other law. Rule 3.2. Expediting litigation A lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client. Rule 8.4. Misconduct It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: (a) Violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another;       (g) Except upon the expressed assertion of a constitutional privilege, to fail to cooperate with the Committee on Professional Responsibility in its investigation of alleged misconduct. Jones concedes that he was guilty of client neglect but attributes his deficiencies to inexperience, overwork, the simultaneous dissolution of his marriage and his law firm, and the press of legislative business. Failure to cooperate with the committee's investigation is attributed to the same stresses that caused Jones to neglect his clients. Even though Jones claims to have performed some services for these clients, he has made full but belated monetary restitution. Jones alleges that he has now improved the efficiency of his office by employing an office manager, buying a computer, and engaging additional professional and paralegal assistance. Although his clients may have been unable to hire other counsel while Jones held their fees, there was no permanent harm to any of the clients. A pattern of neglect in performing services for clients which causes potential injury generally warrants suspension. ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions § 4.42 (1990); Louisiana State Bar Association v. Nabonne, 539 So.2d 1207 (La.1989). The existence of any aggravating or mitigating factors is considered in the imposition of a sanction. Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10(C) (1990). Failure to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation is an aggravating factor. Repeated instances of client neglect and egregious refusal to cooperate in the bar association's investigation has warranted a suspension of nine months. Louisiana State Bar Association v. Boutall, 532 So.2d 1151 (La.1988). In Boutall, as here, there was delay and potential harm but no serious injury to the clients. Louisiana State Bar Association v. Martin, 451 So.2d 561 (La.1984), involved a similar situation. Martin, an attorney, was charged with six specifications of misconduct for failure to record or register mortgages and sales despite repeated requests from the clients who had paid fees and advanced costs in each case. Like Jones, Martin failed to cooperate with the bar association's investigation. Unlike Jones, Martin did not appear in this court, presented no mitigating circumstances, and failed to conclude the work or return the clients' monies. Martin had six prior public reprimands. Martin's failure to cooperate and history of professional misconduct justified suspension for six months. Neglecting legal matters entrusted to him, failing to promptly return unearned fees, causing great potential harm, and failing to cooperate with the committee warrant attorney Jones' suspension from the practice of law. However, remedial measures indicate that the public and the profession are safeguarded from future problems. Jones' relative inexperience, coupled with his serious professional and marital problems, are mitigating factors. Furthermore, the only other complaint against Jones resulted in a private reprimand. Compare Louisiana State Bar Association v. Hinrichs, 495 So.2d 943 (La.1986), where there were at least sixteen prior complaints to the bar association. Considering all of the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, a suspension of six months is appropriate for Charles D. Jones' violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct.