six-month suspension where attorney, in one case, neglected legal matter and failed to respond to Bar Counsel’s inquiries and, in second case, failed to respond to Bar Counsel’s inquiries, and where attorney had long record of prior discipline
How later courts described this case
- six-month suspension where attorney, in one case, neglected legal matter and failed to respond to Bar Counsel’s inquiries and, in second case, failed to respond to Bar Counsel’s inquiries, and where attorney had long record of prior discipline
- failure to respond to legitimate inquiries of bar counsel also constitutes a violation of ethical standards
- six month suspension for neglect where past record of disciplinary violations existed
- six-month suspension where respondent had a significant record of prior discipline
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
PER CURIAM:
In May 1986 Bar Counsel filed with the Board on Professional Responsibility a two-count petition against respondent Jones. The first count alleged that she had violated Disciplinary Rule (DR) 6-101(A)(3) by neglecting a legal matter 1 and DR 1-102(A)(5) by failing to respond to the legitimate inquiries of Bar Counsel. 2 The second count alleged an additional violation of DR 1-102(A)(5), again by failing to respond to the legitimate inquiries of Bar Counsel. In accordance with D.C.Bar R. XI, § 7(2), a *337 hearing committee of the Board held an evidentiary hearing. Jones, however, did not attend that hearing, nor did counsel appear on her behalf. The hearing committee found that she had committed the violations alleged by Bar Counsel and recommended that she be suspended for six months from the practice of law. Jones made no objection to the hearing committee’s findings or its recommendation. The Board, in turn, adopted both the findings of the hearing committee and its recommendation for a six-month suspension, again without objection from Jones. In this court Jones has not filed a brief or challenged the Board’s findings and recommendation in any way.
We incorporate by reference the report of the Board, which is attached to this opinion as Appendix I. Because the' Board’s findings are supported by substantial evidence, we are bound to accept them. See, e.g., In re Smith, 403 A.2d 296, 302-303 (D.C.1979). In considering the recommended sanction, we note that Jones not only has failed to contest the current charges but also has a past record of disciplinary violations, see In re Jones, 521 A.2d 1119 (D.C.1986), which may properly be taken into account in imposing a sanction here. In re Rosen, 481 A.2d 451, 455 (D.C. 1984) (citing cases); In re Roundtree, 467 A.2d 143, 148 (D.C.1983). We conclude that the Board, in the exercise of its discretion, has made a reasonable recommendation, and accordingly we adopt it. See In re Hines, 482 A.2d 378, 386 (D.C.1984); In re Smith, supra, 403 A.2d at 303 .
It is therefore ORDERED that respondent, Dorothy W. Jones, is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the District of Columbia for a period of six months. Her suspension shall take effect thirty days from the date of this opinion. D.C. Bar. R. XI, § 19(3).
. DR 6-101(A) provides in part: A lawyer shall not:
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(3) Neglect a legal matter entrusted to [her].
. DR 1-102(A) provides in part: A lawyer shall not:
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(5) Engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.