Court Opinion

ID: 4709510
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-08-05 22:10:05.15734+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:56.938654
License: Public Domain

08/05/2021

 1   Pamela D. Bucy                                                                Case Number: PR 21-0354
     Chief Disciplinary Counsel
2    P.O. Box 1099
     Helena, MT 59624-1099
3    (406)442-1648
     pbucv(ii montanaodc.oru
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     Office of Disciplinary Counsel
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8                   BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON PRACTICE OF THE
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                     SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
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     IN THE MATTER OF JAMES                        Supreme Court Cause No.PR 21-0354
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     MCCORMACK                                     ODC File No. 20-132
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     An Inactive Attorney,                         COMPLAINT
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     Respondent.
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16          The Office ofDisciplinary Counsel for the State ofMontana("ODC"),hereby
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     charges James McCormack with professional misconduct as follows:
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            1. James McCormack,hereinafter referred to as Respondent, was admitted to
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20   the practice of law in the State of Montana in 2016, at which time he took the oath
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     required for admission, wherein he agreed to abide by the Rules of Professional
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     Conduct, the Disciplinary Rules adopted by the Supreme Court, and the highest
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     standards of honesty, justice and morality, including but not limited to, those
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25   outlined in parts 3 and 4 of Chapter 61, Title 37, Montana Code Annotated.

     Complaint - Page 1
 1          2. The Montana Supreme Court has approved and adopted the Montana Rules
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     of Professional Conduct ("MRPC"), governing the ethical conduct of attorneys
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     licensed to practice in the State of Montana, which Rules were in effect at all times
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5    mentioned in this Complaint.

6           3. On March 11, 2020, Respondent pled guilty to Count I: Criminal Child
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     Endangerment (Felony) of the State's Information filed in Montana Eleventh
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     Judicial District Court, Flathead County, Cause No.DC 19-179.
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10          4. . On September 18, 2020, the District Court imposed a two-year deferred
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     sentence subject to certain terms and conditions of probation. However, due to
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     clerical error, the judgement was not reduced to writing until March 10, 2021.
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            5. By Order filed August 3, 2021, the Montana Supreme Court, pursuant to

15   Rule 23B,RLDE(2021), determined that the criminal offense of which Respondent
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     has been convicted affects the Respondent's ability to practice law, and directed
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     ODC to file a formal complaint against Respondent predicated upon his criminal
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     conviction.

20          6. Pursuant to Rule 8A(3), RLDE, conduct which results in conviction of a
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     criminal offense is a ground for discipline.
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                7. Pursuant to Rule 8.4(b), MRPC, it is professional misconduct for a
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24   lawyer to "commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty,

25   trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects[.]"

     Complaint - Page 2
 1              8. Pursuant to Rule 23C, RLDE, the sole issue to be determined in the
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     formal disciplinary proceedings herein "shall be the extent ofthe final discipline to
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     be imposed."
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5           WHEREFORE,the Office of Disciplinary Counsel prays:

6           1. That a Citation be issued to the Respondent, to which shall be attached a
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     copy of the complaint, requiring Respondent, within twenty-one (21) days after
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     service thereof, to file a written answer to the complaint;
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10          2. That a formal hearing be had on the allegations ofthis complaint before an
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     Adjudicatory Panel of the Commission on the sole issue of the extent of the final
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     discipline to be imposed upon the Respondent;
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            3. That the Adjudicatory Panel of the Commission make a report of its

15   findings and recommendation after a formal hearing to the Montana Supreme Court
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     as to the nature and extent ofappropriate discipline, including an award ofcosts and
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     expenses incurred in investigating and prosecuting this matter; and,
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            4. For such other and further relief as deemed necessary and proper.

20          DATED this           day of           2021.
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                                            OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
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                                            By:       OtAkklit6---
                                                   Pamela D. Bucy
25                                                 Chief Disciplinary Counsel

     Complaint - Page 3