Tag Archives: Attorney Discipline

CLIENT GRIEVANCES – HOW TO AVOID THEM AND WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE ONE

31 Saturday Oct 2020

Posted by in Law Office Management, Legal Ethics, Rules of Professional Responsibility, Supervising Support Staff

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Avoiding Grievances: 25 Things You Can Do, David Bright, St. Mary’s Journal on Legal Malpractice and Ethics, 270 (2016) (with hat tip to William P. Statsky)

https://commons.stmarytx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1063&context=lmej

I was taught that the biggest client complaint to bar associations was lack of communication. Failing to return calls, respond to emails or correspondence, and requests for updates on the status of the case were the best ways to earn a grievance. Incompetence, lack of representation, and disputes over fees and costs were not far behind.

Mr. Bright’s essay, from the Texas perspective, is nonetheless an excellent refresher and reminder for all of us. Paralegals and legal support staff – do not think you are off the hook. You represent your attorney and employer. These ethical considerations are important for you as they are for your attorney. -CCE

The Oklahoma Supreme Court Sanctions Attorney for Computer Illiteracy.

31 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Attorney Discipline, Bankruptcy Court Rules, Bankruptcy Law, Diligence, Legal Ethics, Oklahoma Supreme Court, Sanctions, Technology

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Oklahoma Accepts Computer Illiteracy As Mitigation: Censure Imposed, by Mike Frisch, Legal Profession Blog (with hat tip to William P. Statsky!)

http://bit.ly/1MFG9S8

No doubt you have seen posts here and elsewhere that discuss whether computer competency is now required due diligence for attorneys. The Oklahoma Supreme Court bench-slammed an older attorney for his lack of computer literacy. But, before you make up your mind, read the dissent. -CCE

 

Attorney Refusing Mental Health Eval Is Suspended By Florida Bar Association.

06 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by in Attorney Discipline, Legal Ethics, Rules of Professional Responsibility

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Attorney Suspended For Refusing Mental Health Evaluation, by Mike Frisch, Legal Profession Prof

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2015/04/attorney-suspended-for-refusing-mental-health-evaluation.html

Janice L. Jennings, P.O. Box 103, West Palm Beach, suspended for 91 days, effective immediately, and indefinitely thereafter, until she complies with the terms and conditions set forth in a Feb. 19 court order and demonstrates rehabilitation. (Admitted to practice: 1985) Jennings refused The Florida Bar’s request that she schedule a mental health evaluation with Florida Lawyers Assistance. The request came after the Bar learned of a written filing and statements in which Jennings advised the court, among other things, that her former employer had caused the implantation of a microchip in her left ear that was designed to harm and disrupt her ability to function. (Case No. SC14-1218)

The Tampa Bay Times reported on the situation in June 2014

A June 16 Times article showed that she had been  telling federal judges for more than a decade that she was the victim of mind control and torture, with no apparent effect on her license to practice law….

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Legal Ethics Head’s Up – Don’t Get Drunk, Move A Dead Body, And Lie To Police.

10 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by in Attorney Discipline, Kansas Supreme Court, Legal Ethics

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Someone Died, Someone Lied, by Legal Profession Prof (Mike Frisch), Legal Profession Blog

http://tinyurl.com/p3vxrmw

A partner-shareholder has an adulterous affair with one of the firm’s associates who suffered from depression and alcohol abuse. From there, it sadly got worse. -CCE

Former Texas “Texting” Judge Now Running for District Attorney.

12 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Judges, Legal Ethics

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Former Judge Who Was Caught Texting Instructions To Prosecutors Now Running For District Attorney Post, by Tim Cushing, techdirt Blog

http://tinyurl.com/prtyo82

Her resignation from the bench was effective December 6. The press release announcing her campaign to run for district attorney of Polk County came out two days later. This should be interesting. Let’s see what happens. -CCE

Former Texas Judge Elizabeth Coker resigned from the bench on December 6, 2013. She announced that she was running for District Attorney on December 8, 2013.

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Judges are supposed to be impartial arbiters of justice. However, former Texas judge Elizabeth Coker felt the prosecution needed a helping hand now and then to ensure “justice” was done and provided hints via text messages to district attorneys. Once evidence of her ex parte communications became public knowledge after an investigation, Coker resigned — or as she put it, ‘took one for the team.’

 

South Carolina Court Says to Attorney: No Email = No License.

24 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by in Attorney Discipline, Court Rules, Emails, Legal Ethics, Legal Technology, Trust Accounts

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No E-Mail, No License, by Mike Frisch, Legal Profession Prof, Legal Profession Blog
http://bit.ly/16v90hL

The South Carolina Supreme Court suspended an attorney for repeatedly refusing to follow its explicit rules to maintain and monitor a working email account. This transgression, plus other failures by the Respondent to follow the Court’s orders and rules, led to the attorney’s suspension. The lawyer’s license to practice law was until further order of the Court.