Opinion ID: 2119850
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Board Complaint and Commission Decision.

Text: The board ultimately charged Cohrt with multiple violations of the code of professional responsibility. The violations essentially pertained to neglect and inaction, failure to communicate, misrepresentation, and failure to withdraw from employment. In the Black Hawk proceeding, the violations alleged by the board included DR 1-102(A)(1) (conduct that violates a disciplinary rule), DR 1-102(A)(4) (conduct involving misrepresentation), DR 1-102(A)(5) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice), DR 1-102(A)(6) (conduct that adversely reflects on the fitness to practice law), DR 2-110(A)(1) (withdrawal from employment without tribunal's permission), DR 2-110(A)(2) (withdrawal from employment causing prejudice to the client's rights), DR 2-110(B)(1) (withdrawal from employment required if lawyer discovers lawsuit is being brought for the purpose of harassing or maliciously injuring someone), DR 2-110(B)(2) (withdrawal from employment required when continued employment will result in violation of disciplinary rule), DR 2-110(B)(3) (withdrawal from employment required when lawyer's mental or physical condition renders lawyer unable to carry out employment), DR 2-110(B)(4) (withdrawal from employment required when lawyer is discharged by client), DR 6-101(A)(2) (lawyer shall not handle a legal matter without adequate preparation), DR 6-101(A)(3) (lawyer shall not neglect a client matter), DR 7-101(A)(1) (lawyer shall seek lawful objectives of client), DR 7-101(A)(2) (lawyer shall not intentionally fail to carry out contract of employment), DR 7-101(A)(3) (lawyer shall not intentionally prejudice or damage client), DR 7-102(A)(3) (lawyer shall not conceal or knowingly fail to disclose information to client), DR 7-102(A)(8) (lawyer shall not knowingly engage in illegal conduct in the representation of a client), and DR 7-106(A) (lawyer shall not disregard court rule). In the Schleusner proceeding, the violations alleged by the board included DR 1-102(A)(1) (conduct that violates a disciplinary rule), DR 1-102(A)(4) (conduct involving misrepresentation), DR 1-102(A)(5) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice), DR 1-102(A)(6) (conduct that adversely reflects on the fitness to practice law), DR 2-110(A)(1) (withdrawal from employment without tribunal's permission), DR 2-110(A)(2) (withdrawal from employment causing prejudice to the client's rights), DR 2-110(B)(1) (withdrawal from employment required if lawyer discovers lawsuit is being brought for the purpose of harassing or maliciously injuring someone), DR 2-110(B)(2) (withdrawal from employment required when continued employment will result in violation of disciplinary rule), DR 2-110(B)(3) (withdrawal from employment required when lawyer's mental or physical condition renders lawyer unable to carry out employment), DR 2-110(B)(4) (withdrawal from employment required when lawyer is discharged by client), DR 6-101(A)(2) (lawyer shall not handle a legal matter without adequate preparation), DR 6-101(A)(3) (lawyer shall not neglect a client matter), DR 7-101(A)(1) (lawyer shall seek lawful objectives of client), DR 7-101(A)(2) (lawyer shall not intentionally fail to carry out contract of employment), DR 7-101(A)(3) (lawyer shall not intentionally prejudice or damage client), DR 7-102(A)(3) (lawyer shall not conceal or fail to disclose information to client), DR 7-102(A)(8) (lawyer shall not knowingly engage in illegal conduct in the representation of a client), and DR 7-106(A) (lawyer shall not disregard court rule). Cohrt and the complainants testified at the grievance commission hearing consistent with their claims. The commission found the board established Cohrt's conduct in the Black Hawk proceeding violated DR 1-102(A)(1), DR 1-102(A)(4), DR 1-102(A)(5), DR 1-102(A)(6), and DR 6-101(A)(3). Additionally, the commission found Cohrt violated the withdrawal provisions of DR 2-110(B)(2) in the event he felt the case was required to be dismissed. With respect to the Schleusners' proceedings, the commission found the board established that Cohrt's conduct violated DR 1-102(A)(1), DR 1-102(A)(5), DR 1-102(A)(6), DR 6-101(A)(2), DR 6-101(A)(3), DR 7-101(A)(1), DR 7-101(A)(2), and DR 7-101(A)(3). Additionally, the commission found Cohrt violated the withdrawal provisions of DR 2-110(A)(2) and DR 2-110(B)(2). It recommended Cohrt be suspended for sixty-one days.