Opinion ID: 1347088
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: David Shamblin, M.D.

Text: Dr. Shamblin, an orthopedic surgeon, treated Paula Kidd Sweeney for injuries she received in an automobile accident. Hardison's associate wrote to Dr. Shamblin on May 18, 1992, stating that he represented Ms. Sweeney with respect to the injuries. The letter stated that Hardison was negotiating a settlement with the insurance company, and he requested that Dr. Shamblin withhold collection proceedings until Ms. Sweeney collected a settlement on the matter. Dr. Shamblin submitted his bill. With a letter dated July 14, 1993, Hardison enclosed a check to Dr. Shamblin in the amount of $1,098.40 stating that amount represented payment in full, less 33 1/3 percent for attorney's fees for collecting said amount. When questioned by disciplinary counsel regarding the reduction of the doctor's fee, Hardison explained that he intended to ask Dr. Shamblin to reduce his fee. This he apparently did not do, but agreed he would contact Dr. Shamblin regarding the medical fee. Dr. Shamblin never received the amount withheld. Hardison admits he deducted 33 1/3 percent from the doctor's fees for collecting the money. He states that he explained to Dr. Shamblin's office manager that he had reduced his attorney fee and requested that Dr. Shamblin reduce his fee in light of the reduced amount of the settlement. He once again gave the money to the client. Hardison explains that he met with Disciplinary Counsel in December 1993. At that time, Disciplinary Counsel informed him that Dr. Shamblin's office wanted to cash the check Hardison had previously sent them and that would be the end of the matter. The Board determined that even though it was inappropriate for Hardison to withhold a portion of the doctor's fee from the proceeds of the client settlement, there was insufficient evidence to conclude Hardison violated Rule 4.1(a) (Truthfulness in statements to others) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. ODC contests this finding. The Board heard testimony from Hardison regarding his long and difficult history with alcoholism. Hardison told the Board that he has in the past participated in a number of inpatient programs for the treatment of alcoholism and for a cross-addiction to pain pills. In November 1996, he was the subject of an involuntary commitment at Huntington State Hospital following an incident in which police were called to his home. Hardison also treated with Dr. Lee Neilan (deceased), a Charleston psychiatrist, on a monthly basis and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on average four times per week. He takes Antabuse for alcohol addiction and Naltrexone for narcotic addiction. He clearly has diligently and aggressively attempted to deal with his problem. The Board noted that on December 16, 1996, Hardison voluntarily entered inactive status with the West Virginia State Bar; his agreement with the State Bar provided that he would refrain from practice during the pendency of these charges and that he would refrain from abuse of alcohol and drugs. Hardison admits that subsequent to the agreement he relapsed three times, but stated at the May 11, 1998 hearing that he had been drug and alcohol free for six months. Hardison testified that his problems with alcohol were not a contributing factor to any of his conduct which gave rise to the various ethics complaints filed against him. The Board, nonetheless, believes Hardison's involuntary alcohol addiction most likely contributed to his conduct and his return to the practice of law should involve continuing treatment for his addictions. The Board recommends the following sanctions: suspension for ninety days (prior inactive status should not be deemed as credit); refrain from consumption of alcohol and controlled substances to be supported by medical evidence obtained at his expense in the form of periodic drug and alcohol screening; continue counseling and participation in Alcoholics Anonymous; upon reinstatement, be supervised in the practice of law for eighteen months; upon reinstatement, maintain malpractice liability insurance not less than $500,000.00; satisfy all requirements of the mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission for the current period; complete the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination with a passing score within twelve months immediately following reinstatement; pay all the costs of these proceedings, except costs which can be specifically identified as relating to those counts, if any, which are dismissed.