Opinion ID: 2616592
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: a ninety-day suspension, recommended by general counsel, is an appropriate sanction for respondent's past professional misconduct

Text: The court's responsibility in exercising its disciplinary jurisdiction is not to punish but to inquire into the lawyer's continued fitness, with a view to safeguarding the interest of the public, of the courts and of the legal profession. [24] Justice Irwin stated this principle when he said for the court: Bearing in mind that licensure to practice law is not for the benefit of the individual member of the profession, but rather for the benefit of the public, the primary consideration in determining whether a lawyer is to be disciplined, concerns the welfare of the public... . [25] The circumstances of a lawyer's alleged professional misconduct (Rule 6) [26] are important in searching for solutions that would accord with the law's imperative of ensuring the public its due protection from substandard lawyers. [27] The complaint against Bolton was pressed as a Rule 6 proceeding, which focuses on the lawyer's offending past conduct. [28] Bolton has been charged with (1) lacking diligence and promptness in representing his clients, [29] (2) not keeping his client informed, [30] (3) neglecting his clients by not expediting litigation consistently with their interests, [31] and (3) failure to comply with the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings by responding untimely to the Bar's inquiry. [32] Professional Competence  i.e., acting promptly in pending matters and communicating with a client  is a mandatory obligation imposed upon licensed practitioners. Albeit onerous, this obligation is the very minimum to be expected from a lawyer. It epitomizes professionalism. Anything less is a breach of a lawyer's duty to serve the client. [33] As reflected by the record, Bolton's conduct represents a marked departure from these standards. The facts admitted by the respondent's stipulation, [34] coupled with the findings of the PRT, sufficiently evidence that Bolton's pattern of behavior is at odds with the standard of legal representation to which the public is entitled. On de novo review the four counts of the Bar's complaint are found supported by clear and convincing record proof. A lawyer's license is a certificate of professional fitness to deal with the public as a legal practitioner. Public confidence in the practitioner is essential to the proper functioning of the profession. A lawyer's misconduct adversely reflects on the entire Bar because it exhibits a lack of commitment to the clients' causes, to the courts, and to other members of the Bar. Bolton's actions call for the imposition of discipline. In light of the respondent's established history of neglect, [35] the General Counsel's recommendation that Bolton be suspended from the practice of law for ninety days is accordingly approved. [36] Bolton shall pay the costs incurred in this proceeding in the amount of $825.89. Respondent stands suspended from the practice of law for ninety days from the day this opinion becomes final. As a precondition to his reinstatement, he must pay the costs incident to this disciplinary prosecution. HODGES, C.J., LAVENDER, V.C.J., and HARGRAVE, ALMA WILSON and KAUGER, JJ., concur. SUMMERS, J., concurs in result. SIMMS and WATT, JJ., concur in part and dissent in part.