Opinion ID: 2357681
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The ethical duties violated, Cyrus's mental state, and the injury or potential injury caused

Text: Cyrus does not contest the factual findings reached by the Committee and adopted by the Board, and we accept them. Our consideration of the initial stage of the ABA analysis is thereby considerably simplified. As to the first prong, the ethical duties violated, the Committee found that: Cyrus had violated duties owed (1) to his clients by (a) failing to communicate with them, (b) failing to appear at hearings, and (c) failing to file pleadings; and (2) to the legal system by (a) causing unnecessary delay in court proceedings, and (b) failing to respond to disciplinary charges. Cyrus acknowledges and admits that he violated these ethical duties. The second prong, Cyrus's mental state, is easily ascertained: Cyrus admits that in light of his prior disciplinary suspension for similar misconduct, he saw these new violations coming and acted with the culpable mental state of knowingly. The third prong, the injury or potential injury caused, is also readily apparent. Cyrus's neglect and failure to communicate resulted in delay and postponement of resolution of his clients' cases. Cyrus acknowledges this resulted in at least potential harm to his clients. In sum, the uncontested facts show that Cyrus knowingly violated ethical duties to his clients and the legal system, which caused at least the potential for injury to his clients.