Opinion ID: 1674705
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: what is the appropriate discipline for james m. hall under the facts and circumstances of this case?

Text: As has been stated numerous times, this Court conducts a de novo review in a bar disciplinary matter which includes a review of the pleadings, the facts and the sanctions imposed. Mississippi State Bar v. Smith, 577 So.2d 1249, 1251 (Miss. 1991); Mississippi State Bar v. Varnado, 557 So.2d 558, 559 (Miss. 1990); Hoffman v. Mississippi State Bar Ass'n., 508 So.2d 1120, 1124 (Miss. 1987); Myers v. Mississippi State Bar, 480 So.2d 1080, 1089 (Miss. 1985). We note at the outset that Hall failed to file a brief in this matter, even after the clerk of this Court granted him additional time in which to file. Ordinarily, such failure is tantamount to a confession of error. Mississippi Bar v. Attorney D., 579 So.2d 559, 561 (Miss. 1991); Dethlefs v. Beau Maison Development Corp., 458 So.2d 714, 717 (Miss. 1984); State v. Maples, 402 So.2d 350, 353 (Miss. 1981). The Bar argues that a private reprimand is simply not sufficient punishment under the facts of this case, particularly considering Hall's prior disciplinary record for substantially similar neglect of a client's case. Hall was charged with violating Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.1, which demands that the lawyer provide competent representation to the client; Rule 1.3, which demands that the lawyer act with reasonable diligence and promptness in his representation; Rule 1.4, which provides that the lawyer keep the client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and comply with reasonable requests for information; and Rule 1.16(a) and (b) which demand that the lawyer withdraw from the representation where his physical or mental condition impairs his ability to represent the client. This Court has listed several factors which it considers in determining the appropriate discipline for attorney misconduct. They are (1) the nature of the misconduct involved; (2) the need to deter similar misconduct; (3) the preservation of the dignity and reputation of the profession; (4) the protection of the public; and (5) the sanctions imposed in similar cases. Mississippi State Bar v. Blackmon, 600 So.2d 166, 173 (Miss. 1992); Mississippi Bar v. Strauss, 601 So.2d 840, 844 (Miss. 1992); Attorney Q v. Mississippi State Bar, 587 So.2d 228, 234 (Miss. 1991); Fougerousse v. Miss. State Bar Ass'n, 563 So.2d 1363, 1366 (Miss. 1990). However, the most important consideration in imposing sanctions is that the punishment be sufficient to vindicate in the eyes of the public the overall reputation of the bar. Mississippi State Bar Ass'n. v. A Mississippi Attorney, 489 So.2d 1081, 1084 (Miss. 1986). Accord, Mississippi State Bar v. Smith, 577 So.2d 1249, 1252 (Miss. 1991). In a number of cases of attorney misconduct, this Court has also considered the misconduct under the American Bar Association's Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions (1986). Factors to consider under those standards include (1) the duty violated; (2) the lawyer's mental state; (3) the actual or potential injury caused by the lawyer's misconduct; and (4) the existence of aggravating or mitigating factors. Blackmon, 600 So.2d at 173. Foote v. Mississippi State Bar Ass'n., 517 So.2d 561 (Miss. 1987), also quoted ABA Standard 4.42, which reads: [s]uspension is generally appropriate when: (a) a lawyer knowingly fails to perform services for a client and causes injury or potential injury to a client; or (b) a lawyer engages in a pattern of neglect and causes injury or potential injury to a client. Id. at 567. Fougerousse v. Mississippi State Bar Ass'n., 563 So.2d 1363 (Miss. 1990), involved a pattern of neglect which prejudiced two of Fougerousse's clients. He, like Hall, allowed a summary judgment to be entered against him in the Bar proceeding. This Court stated that, appellant has displayed a distinct pattern of delay, tardiness and denial in the representation of certain clients and throughout his own defense of the matters now before this Court. Id. at 1366. The Court affirmed the Tribunal's sanction of two 90-day suspensions to run concurrently. Id. at 1367. Steighner v. Mississippi State Bar, 548 So.2d 1294 (Miss. 1989), involved a case of attorney neglect. Steighner also allowed the Bar to obtain a summary judgment against him, although the Complaint Tribunal later agreed to set it aside. He showed little remorse for his actions and this Court felt that he still did not seem to understand the seriousness of his conduct. The Court increased the 30-day suspension imposed by the Complaint Tribunal to 180 days. Id. at 1299. In Myers v. Mississippi State Bar, 480 So.2d 1080 (Miss. 1985), Myers represented a defendant in a double-murder case through his conviction. Two days after the conviction the lawyer left the state, mistakenly believing that the defendant had obtained other counsel to handle his appeal and without obtaining leave of the court to withdraw as counsel. As a result, the client failed to timely file the motion for new trial necessary to perfect his appeal. He was given a suspension of two years. Id. at 1095. However, the result of his negligence imposed more serious consequences on the client than in the case sub judice. We are of the opinion that appropriate discipline for James M. Hall would be sixty days suspension from the practice of law in the state of Mississippi and it is so ordered. SIXTY (60) DAYS SUSPENSION TO COMMENCE ON NOVEMBER 15, 1992, ORDERED. HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, P.JJ., and PRATHER, SULLIVAN and BANKS, JJ., join this opinion. McRAE, J., concurs in part and dissents in part with separate written opinion joined in part by DAN M. LEE, P.J. PITTMAN, J., not participating. ROBERTS, J., not participating according to Supreme Court internal rules.