In Re Jones

District of Columbia Court of Appeals

In Re Jones

534 A.2d 336, 1987 WL 20711

CourtDistrict of Columbia Court of Appeals

DecidedDecember 2, 1987

Docket87-252

StatusPublished

Cited by12 cases

This text of 534 A.2d 336 (In Re Jones) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District of Columbia Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

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In Re Jones, 534 A.2d 336, 1987 WL 20711 (D.C. 1987).

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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 matter¹ 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]*337hearing 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).

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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 matter¹ 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]*337hearing 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).

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