Opinion ID: 2637917
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sanction imposed: ninety-day suspension

Text: A sanctions hearing was held on November 17, 1999, before the Presiding Disciplinary Judge (PDJ) and two hearing board members, Thomas R. French and Daniel A. Vigil, both members of the Bar. Christyne A. Czarnowsky, Assistant Regulation Counsel, represented the People of the State of Colorado (the People). Robert Karl Lynch (Lynch) did not appear either in person or by counsel. The People filed the Complaint and Citation in this matter on March 3, 1999. The Complaint and Citation were served upon respondent by certified mail on March 4, 1999, mailed to the respondent's registered business, home and last known addresses in compliance with C.R.C.P. 251.32(b), C.R.C.P. 251.14(b) and C.R.C.P. 227(A)(2)(a) and (b). On April 29, 1999, Lynch was personally served with the Citation and Complaint in San Diego, California. Lynch failed to answer the allegations advanced in the Complaint, and default was entered against him on August 18, 1999, as to both the factual allegations and each of the charges set forth in counts one through six of the People's Complaint. Notice of the sanctions hearing was mailed to Lynch on August 26, 1999. At the commencement of the hearing, the PDJ set aside the default as to count 5 (violation of C.R.C.P. 227(A)(1)(a) for failure to pay registration fees and violation of C.R.C.P. 227(A)(2)(b) for failure to file a change of address with the Office of Attorney Registration). The People's Complaint charged Lynch with a violation of The Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct (Colo.RPC) 1.3 (neglect of a legal matter) in count one; a violation of Colo. RPC 8.4(d) (conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice) in count two; a violation of Colo. RPC 1.4(a) (failure to communicate with a client) in count three; a violation of Colo. RPC 1.16(d) (failure to take steps reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests) in count four; a violation of C.R.C.P. 251.5(c) (alleging failure to comply with the applicable rules of civil procedure [C.R.C.P. 227(A)(1)(a) and C.R.C.P. 227(A)(2)(b)]) in count five, and a violation of C.R.C.P. 251.5(d)(failure to respond without good cause shown to a request by the Regulation Counsel) in count six. Michael H. Williams, an investigator with the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, and Randy Kent Harvey testified for the People. The People's exhibits 1 through 4 were offered and admitted into evidence. The PDJ and Hearing Board considered argument of counsel, the facts and charges established by the entry of default, assessed the testimony of the witnesses, reviewed the exhibits admitted, and made the following findings of fact, which were established by clear and convincing evidence: