Opinion ID: 1698263
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Count I: Representation of Rickey Bringus

Text: Respondent represented Bringus at a postconviction hearing in Lancaster County District Court in December 2002. Following the hearing, the court gave respondent 7 days to submit a written argument. After respondent failed to do so, Bringus' motion for postconviction relief was denied. Respondent continued to represent Bringus on appeal to the Court of Appeals. After the court had granted an extended brief date, respondent failed to file a brief on behalf of Bringus. Thus, Bringus was forced to file a brief pro se in February 2004 to preserve his appeal. In Bringus' case before the Court of Appeals, respondent checked out the bill of exceptions and transcript but failed to timely return them despite repeated requests from the Attorney General's office and the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. A court order was served on respondent before he finally returned the documents to the clerk. Respondent also represented Bringus in a Social Security matter in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. On August 1, 2003, the district court sent respondent notice that the case would be dismissed in 10 days for failure to prosecute unless respondent showed cause why the case should not be dismissed. Respondent failed to reply to the court's order, so Bringus' Social Security case was dismissed. As to count I, relator alleges that respondent violated his oath of office as an attorney, Neb.Rev.Stat. § 7-104 (Reissue 1997), and the following provisions of the Code of Professional Responsibility: Canon 1, DR 1-102(A)(1) (violation of disciplinary rule), DR 1-102(A)(5) (conduct prejudicial to administration of justice), and DR 1-102(A)(6) (conduct adversely reflecting on attorney's fitness to practice law), and Canon 6, DR 6-101(A)(3) (neglect of legal matter).