WhenFormalChargesAreFiledAgainstMe,WhatShouldIDo?
1.Ithasbeensaidthatthelawyerwhorepresentshimselfhasafoolforhisclient.Takethatadvicetoheart.Yes, representing yourself is cheaper in the short run. But losing your license is a high price to pay in the end. It is virtuallyimpossibleforalawyertorepresenthimselforherselfproperly.Therearemanytop-notchlawyerswho representotherattorneysinthedisciplinarysystem.
2.Notifyyourmalpracticecarrierpromptlyofthecomplaint.Yourpolicymaycoverallorpartofyourlegalexpenses.
3.Answer the charges within the prescribed time limit of 20 days. If you need additional time, request an extension of time from the committee chair. The disciplinary counsel and committee chair will rarely oppose reasonablerequestsforadditionaltime.Ifyoufailtoanswer,thechargescanbedeemedadmittedagainstyou.
4.Cooperateandparticipateindiscovery.UnderLouisianaSupremeCourtRuleXIX,thereareatleast60days inwhichtoutilizediscoverybeforethemattergetstotrial.Fewrespondentsutilizediscoveryand,asaresult,they donotknowwhatevidencedisciplinarycounselhasagainstthem.
5.ComplywiththeprovisionsofLouisianaSupremeCourtRuleXIXconcerningsubmissionsandtimelimitations. Hearingcommitteechairsareverysimilartojudges.Theydon’tappreciateorrespectlateanswers,dilatoryand incompletediscovery,andmissingpre-hearingmemoranda.UnderRuleXIX,bothpartiesareobligatedtofilepre- hearingmemorandawithin10daysofthehearing.Disciplinarycounselalwayssubmitsit.Respondentsoftendo not.However,thepre-hearingmemorandumisoneofthefirstplaceswhererespondentscangettheirsideofthe storybeforethehearingcommittee.
6.Utilizeevidenceofmitigationasmuchaspossible.Mitigatingfactorscanbe:
•Absence of aprior disciplinary record.
•Absenceofdishonestorselfishmotive.
•Personal or emotionalproblems.
•Timelygoodfaitheffortatrestitutionorrectifyingconsequencesofmisconduct.
•Cooperation with disciplinaryproceedings.
•Inexperienceinthepracticeoflaw.
•Character orreputation.
•Physical or mentaldisability.
•Delay in disciplinaryproceedings.
•Interimrehabilitation.
•Impositionofotherpenaltiesorsanctions.
•Remorse.
•Remoteness of prioroffenses.
Remorse and restitution are especially important.
7.Softenaggravatingfactorsasmuchaspossible.Aggravatingfactorscanbe:
•Prior disciplinaryrecord.
•Dishonest or selfishmotive.
•Patternsofmisconduct.
•Multipleoffenses.
•Bad faith obstruction of disciplinaryproceedings,
•Submissionoffalseevidenceduringthedisciplinaryprocess.
•Noremorse.
•Vulnerabilityofvictim.
•Substantialexperienceinthepracticeoflaw.
•Norestitution.
Again, if possible, give restitution and show remorse.
8.Considerconsentdiscipline.Consentscanoftenbeworkedoutwithdisciplinarycounselprovidedtherespondent will admit to all or part of the misconduct. If the evidence is clearly against you, consent may be a way to get a slightlybettersanction.
9.Showup.Itisamazinghowmanyrespondents:
•Failtofileaninitialresponse.
•Fail to file ananswer.
•Failtoshowupforthehearing.
Hearingcommittees,theBoardandtheCourttakeverydimviewsoftheattorneywhoclearlyhasabandonedhisor herpractice.Thelawyerwhodoesnotcareenoughabouthisorherlicensetoparticipateintheprocesswillnotkeep thatlicenseforlong.
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PRACTICE AID GUIDE: The Essentials of Law Office Management
CHAPTER 8 Ethics and Professionalism