Opinion ID: 2450345
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: PRT Findings & Recommendation

Text: ¶ 8 A hearing before the PRT was held on January 12, 2011. With only Counts I, III and V remaining, the parties entered into a number of stipulations. During his testimony before the panel, Cox acknowledged that the Thomasson case had still not been completed. A fellow attorney from Hugo, Oklahoma agreed to assume responsibility for completing the probate, with Cox bearing any attorney fees or associated costs. [5] In addition, Cox agreed to pay any expenses attributable to his neglect of the Thomasson estate, including any penalties or interest resulting from the failure to file the estate tax return. After weighing all of the testimony, exhibits and stipulations, the PRT determined Cox's inaction amounted to a violation of ORPC Rule 1.3. ¶ 9 In the stipulations set forth in the Amended Pretrial Order, Cox readily acknowledged his lack of cooperation with the OBA during its investigation of the bar grievances. The panel determined Cox's refusal to participate in the OBA grievance investigations was contrary to ORCP Rule 8.1(b) and RGDP Rule 5.2. As punishment, the PRT recommended Cox be publicly censured for breaching the standards of professional conduct. The panel also proposed assessment of costs against Cox as authorized by RGDP Rule 6.16.