Opinion ID: 1632263
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Recommendation of Bar

Text: ¶ 23. After conducting a deposition of Wong and an investigation into the merits of his Petition for Reinstatement, the Bar recommends that Wong be reinstated to the practice of law, on the condition that he certify to the Court that he completed twelve hours of continuing legal education hours in law office management, twelve hours of continuing legal education hours in professional responsibility, and twelve hours of continuing legal education required by the Bar to maintain his law license. [1] The Bar was, however, concerned that Wong did not provide satisfactory explanations of his failure to communicate with clients, to cooperate with the Bar disciplinary process, and to file appellate briefs for his clients. The Bar was also concerned that Wong was unable to demonstrate more peer or community support for his rehabilitation, character, and fitness to practice law. ¶ 24. It is the opinion of this Court that Wong has learned his lesson and has concrete plans to comply with Bar complaints and to communicate better with his clients in the future. If reinstated, Wong plans to return to being a court-appointed criminal defense attorney and return to his solo practice. He stated at the deposition and in his Petition for Reinstatement that he will be sure to answer all Bar complaints that he may receive in the future and refer his criminal appeals to the Office of Indigent Appeals, which had not been accepting cases at the time of Wong's violations. He added that in criminal appeals in which he can find no arguable issues, he will file a Lindsey brief with this Court. Lindsey v. State, 939 So.2d 743 (Miss. 2005). He also said that since Hawkins' appeal was reassigned to the Office of Indigent Appeals, he would stay informed and see what issues are presented to the Court on appeal. He explained that, in the future, if he is assigned to represent someone at a court appearance, he will ensure that he continues to represent them as long as they sign an affidavit of indigency. He also said that he would be more organized in terms of keeping track of all his clients. He emphasized that he learned his lesson and that he completed the complaint tribunal's requirements of him. He stated that he will respond to any future Bar complaints to avoid being suspended again. Wong said that his suspension has had a great personal effect on him because he is accustomed to being very active in his work, but his suspension has limited him to merely reading and organizing his papers at his office. ¶ 25. After a de novo review of the papers before this Court, we conclude that Wong should be reinstated. Although he may not have given the impression at his deposition that he has taken his suspension and the underlying reasons for his suspension seriously, he has shown that he put significant thought into improving his conduct in the future. He has also completed the requirements set out by Rule of Discipline 12. Furthermore, the Bar ultimately recommends that he be reinstated. The letters of recommendation submitted strongly urge Wong's reinstatement. Both the letters of recommendation and the deposition transcript demonstrate that Wong is a competent and knowledgeable attorney and public defender. ¶ 26. This Court finds that Wong has proven by clear and convincing evidence that he has rehabilitated himself and is worthy of reinstatement. However, we hope that he is indeed able to communicate better with his clients in the future. This Court understands that although public defenders are often overworked because of their high caseloads, and although they are undercompensated for their work, the law still demands that attorneys keep their clients, indigent or not, informed of the developments in their cases, especially ones as important as the status of their appeals.