Opinion ID: 1328215
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Referral to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel

Text: Our review of the record suggests that the attorneys employed by appellant St. Paul to defend Dr. Shaffer may have engaged in numerous violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. For instance, it appears that Mr. DePasquale represented Dr. Shaffer and other West Virginia doctors at the behest of both St. Paul and Mr. Katarincic in several West Virginia courtrooms  yet he was never licensed or admitted pro hac vice to practice law in West Virginia. The record is unclear whether any of the possible violations have been considered by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, or the state bar disciplinary authorities of any other state where Mr. Katarincic or Mr. DePasquale are licensed. In light of the many potential transgressions in the record, we find it necessary to refer this matter to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for further review, in accordance with our obligation to do so pursuant to Rule 8.3(a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct and Canon 3D(2) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. See Rule 8.3(a) (A lawyer having knowledge that another lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a substantial question as to that lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects, shall inform the appropriate professional authority.); W.Va.Code of Jud. Conduct Canon 3D(2) (A judge who receives information indicating a substantial likelihood that a lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct should take appropriate action. A judge having knowledge that a lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a substantial question as to the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects shall inform the appropriate authority.). See also Covington v. Smith, 213 W.Va. 309, 582 S.E.2d 756 (2003) (referring a matter to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for further proceedings); Gum v. Dudley, 202 W.Va. 477, 491, 505 S.E.2d 391, 405 (1997) (same). Accordingly, we direct the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals to transmit a certified copy of this Opinion to that tribunal.