June 29, 2009
Christopher Broughton Shedlick, 6408 R Seven Corners Place
Falls Church, Virginia 22044
VSB Docket No.07-051-070816
On
June 8,
2009, a
Virginia
State
Bar
Fifth
District,
Section
I,
Subcommittee
imposed
a public
reprimand
with
terms on
Christopher
Broughton
Shedlick
for
violating
professional
rules
that
govern
responsibilities
regarding
nonlawyer
assistants,
professional
independence
of a
lawyer,
unauthorized
practice
of law,
communication
and
advertising
about a
lawyer's
services,
and firm
names
and
letterheads.
The
misconduct
involved
the
management
of Mr.
Shedlick's
law
office
and his
advertisements,
which
used the
name and
likeness
of a
disbarred
attorney.
This was
an
agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Shedlick order (pdf posted 07/08/09)*
June
29, 2009
Keith Hamner Waldrop, 2941 River Road West, P.O. Box 268, Goochland, VA
23063-0268.
VSB Docket No. 08-070-070513
On
June 8,
2009, a
Virginia
State
Bar
Seventh
District
Subcommittee
imposed
a public
admonition
on
Keith
Hamner
Waldrop
for
violating
professional
rules
that
govern
diligence
and
communication.
The
misconduct
occurred
in a
court-appointed
criminal
representation.
This was
an
agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Waldrop order (pdf posted 07/08/09)*
June
24, 2009
Renay Melitta Fariss, Suite 102, 10107 Krause Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832
VSB Docket No. 08-031-074387
On
May 27,
2009,
the
Virginia
State
Bar
Third
District
Committee,
Section
I,
imposed
a public
reprimand
on
Renay
Melitta
Fariss
for
violating
professional
rules
that
govern
misconduct,
confidentiality
of
client
information,
and
presenting
or
threatening
criminal
or other
charges
to
obtain
an
advantage
or to
harass.
view Fariss order (pdf posted 07/08/09)*
June 25, 2009
*
Jason
Matthew
Head,
Suite
675, One
Columbus
Center,
Virginia
Beach,
Virginia
23462
VSB
Docket
No.
09-070-076620
On
June 25,
2009,
the
Virginia
State
Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended Jason
Matthew
Head's
license
administratively
to
practice
law for
failure
to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
*On July
20, 2009,
Mr. Head
complied
with the
subpoena
duces
tecum and
the
suspension
was
lifted.
June
10, 2009
Phillip
Stone
Griffin
II, 102
South Kent
Street,
Winchester,
Virginia
22601
VSB
Docket No.
06-070-2954
On May
27, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Seventh
District
Committee
imposed a
public
admonition
on
Phillip
Stone
Griffin II
for
violating
disciplinary
rules that
govern
making
false
statement
of fact or
law to a
tribunal
and
engaging
in conduct
that
reflects
adversely
on a
lawyer's
fitness to
practice.
The
violations
occurred
during an
action to
collect
unpaid
attorney's
fees from
a former
client.
view Griffin order (pdf posted 06/11/09)*
June
10, 2009
Donald
Jerome
Gee,
McEachin &
Gee, P.C.,
4719 Nine
Mile Road,
Richmond,
Virginia
23223
VSB
Docket
Nos.
06-032-2891
and
07-032-0580
On May
28, 2009,
a Virginia
State Bar
Third
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on Donald
Jerome Gee
for
violating
disciplinary
rules that
govern
diligence,
communication,
fees,
responsibilities
regarding
nonlawyer
assistants;
safekeeping
property;
and
misconduct
by
violating
the Rules
of
Professional
Conduct or
attempting
to do so.
The
violations
occurred
in
personal
injury
cases.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Gee order (pdf posted 06/11/09)*
June 9,
2009
Mark
Michael
Kantro,
Suite 807,
142 West
York
Street,
Norfolk,
Virginia
23510
VSB
Docket
Nos.
08-021-071117
and
08-021-074925
On May
27, 2009,
a Virginia
State Bar
Second
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on Mark
Michael
Kantro
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
competence,
diligence,
communication,
and
terminating
representation.
The
misconduct
occurred
in two
appeals of
probation
revocations.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Kantro order (pdf posted 06/11/09)*
June 9,
2009
Lorenzo
Lee Bean
III, Suite
101, 45573
Shepard
Drive,
Sterling,
Virginia
20164
VSB
Docket No.
07-070-1277
On May
28, 2009,
a
three-judge
panel in
the
Fauquier
County
Circuit
Court
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on
Lorenzo
Lee Bean
III
for
violating
a
professional
rule that
governs
safekeeping
property.
Mr. Bean
failed to
deposit
$60,000 in
client
funds into
an
attorney
escrow
account,
as the
rules
require.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Bean order (pdf posted 06/11/09)*
June
9, 2009
Susan
Carol
Armstrong,
526 North
Boulevard,
Richmond,
VA 23220
VSB
Docket No.
08-033-072649
On May
1, 2009, a
three-judge
court of
the
Richmond
Circuit
Court
dismissed
all
misconduct
charges
against
Susan
Carol
Armstrong
for lack
of clear
and
convincing
evidence.
June 4,
2009
* **
***
****
*****
Curtis
Tyrone
Brown,
Suite 210,
5900 East
Virginia
Beach
Boulevard,
Norfolk,
Virginia
23502
VSB
Docket No.
08-021-071424
On May
26, 2009,
a
three-judge
panel in
the
Norfolk
Circuit
Court
suspended
Curtis
Tyrone
Brown's
license to
practice
law for
two
twelve-month
periods,
to be
served
concurrently.
The judges
found he
violated
disciplinary
rules that
govern
making a
false
statement
to a
tribunal;
knowingly
disobeying
a standing
rule or a
ruling of
a tribunal
made in
the
context of
a
proceeding;
engaging
in conduct
intended
to disrupt
a
tribunal;
and
dishonesty,
misrepresentation,
and deceit
that
reflects
adversely
on the
lawyer's
fitness to
practice.
The
misconduct
occurred
in his
representation
of a
plaintiff
in a
personal
injury
case.
*On May
28, 2009,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
granted a
stay of
the
suspension
pending
the
appeal.
**On
October
13, 2009,
Mr. Brown
filed an
appeal
with the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia.
***On
September
23, 2010,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
denied the
petition
for
rehearing.
****On
October
12, 2010,
Mr. Brown
filed a
Motion to
Delay
Issuance
of the
Mandate.
*****On
March
21,
2011,
the
Circuit
Court
suspended
Mr.
Brown's
license
to
practice
law.
view Brown order (pdf posted 10/23/09)
View
Brown
Order
(PDF
Posted
3/29/11)
View
Brown
Order
(PDF
Posted
3/29/11)
June 2,
2009
Tonja
Michelle
Roberts,
Roberts
Law
Office,
P.O. Box
10463,
Danville,
VA 24543
VSB
Docket
Nos.
08-090-073958
and
08-090-074552
On May
6, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Tonja
Michelle
Roberts's
license to
practice
law for
one year,
effective
June 2,
2009, and
imposed
terms. Ms.
Roberts
violated
professional
rules that
govern
diligence,
communication,
declining
or
terminating
representation,
and bar
admission
and
disciplinary
matters.
The
violations
occurred
in cases
that
involved a
bankruptcy
and
payment to
a health
care
provider
in a
personal
injury
representation.
In both
cases, Ms.
Roberts
failed to
respond to
the bar's
investigation.
As a term
of her
discipline,
Ms.
Roberts
must
return the
$750 fee
paid by a
client.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Roberts order (pdf posted 06/09/09)*
June 1,
2009
Leslie
Dana
Silverman,
4704
Hollywood
Road,
College
Park,
Maryland
VSB
Docket No.
07-052-2031
and
07-052-2323
On May
21, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Leslie
Dana
Silverman's
license to
practice
law for
sixty
days,
effective
June 1,
2009. Ms.
Silverman
violated
professional
rules that
govern
diligence,
safekeeping
property,
and
unauthorized
practice
of law. In
two cases,
she
represented
clients in
Virginia
while her
Virginia
license
was
administratively
suspended,
and she
did not
deposit
client
funds into
an
attorney
escrow
account,
as the
rules
require.
In one
case, she
failed to
appear in
court on
behalf of
the
client.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Silverman order (pdf posted 06/01/09)*
May 29,
2009
*
Robert
E. Miller,
198
Coggins
Corner
Drive,
Newman, GA
30265
VSB
Docket No.
09-000-078525
On May
26, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Robert
E.
Miller's
license to
practice
law, in
response
to his
March 9,
2006,
disbarment
by the
Supreme
Court of
Florida.
The board
ordered
him to
appear
June 26,
2009, to
show cause
why the
same
discipline
should not
be imposed
in
Virginia.
view Miller order (pdf posted 08/04/09)*
*On June
26, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Mr.
Miller's
license to
practice
law.
May 29,
2009
*
Barbara
Lyn
Brackett,
125 Carter
Court,
Vienna,
Virginia
22180
VSB
Docket No.
09-000-079217
On May
26, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Barbara
Lyn
Brackett's
license to
practice
law, based
on her
March 23,
2009
guilty
plea in
Fairfax
County
General
District
Court to
writing a
bad check.
The board
ordered
her to
appear on
June 26,
2009, to
show cause
why her
license
should not
be further
suspended
or
revoked.
*On June
26, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Barbara
Lyn
Brackett's
license to
practice
law for
thirty
days,
effective
retroactively
to May 27,
2009. Ms.
Brackett
pled
guilty on
March 23,
2009, in
Fairfax
County
General
District
Court to
writing a
bad check.
Her
license
was
summarily
suspended
on May 26
pending
the June
26 board
hearing.
view Brackett order (pdf posted 08/26/09)*
May 29,
2009
*
John
Crane
King, P.O.
Box
864153,
Plano, TX
75086
VSB
Docket No.
09-000-079421
On May
26, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
John
Crane
King's
license to
practice
law, based
on his
October
15, 2004,
disbarment
by the
Kansas
Supreme
Court. The
board
ordered
him to
appear on
June 26,
2009, to
show cause
why the
same
discipline
should not
be imposed
in
Virginia.
view King order (pdf posted 08/04/09)*
*On June
26, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Mr. King's
license to
practice
law.
May 29,
2009
*
Jackson
Willard
Snyder II,
9443,
Turnberry
Drive,
Potomac,
MD 20854
VSB
Docket No.
09-000-079415
On May
27, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Jackson
Willard
Snyder
II's
license to
practice
law, based
on his
criminal
conviction
on
February
9, 2009,
in the
U.S.
District
Court for
the
District
of
Maryland.
Mr. Snyder
pled
guilty to
making
false
statements.
The board
ordered
him to
appear on
June 26,
2009, to
show cause
why his
Virginia
license
should not
be further
suspended
or
revoked.
view Snyder order (pdf posted 07/08/09)*
*On June
19, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Mr.
Snyder's
license to
practice
law for a
year and a
day
effective
May 27,
2009.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
May,
29, 2009
Anne
Marston
Lynch, 425
Sussex
Drive,
Portsmouth,
Virginia
23707
VSB
Docket
Nos.
08-0101-071408,
08-010-071625,
08-010-072683,
08-010-072684,
08-010-074537
On May
15, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Anne
Marston
Lynch's
license to
practice
law for
one year
and
imposed
terms. In
five
cases, Ms.
Lynch
violated
professional
rules that
govern
diligence,
communication,
and bar
disciplinary
matters.
The cases
involved
criminal
defense
representations
and a real
estate
matter.
view Lynch order (pdf posted 06/11/09)*
May 18,
2009
*
Christopher
Jason
Agresto, 8
Royal
Street SE,
Leesburg,
VA 20175
VSB
Docket No.
09-070-076620
On May
15, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Christopher
Jason
Agresto's
license
administratively
to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
*On May
20, 2009,
Mr.
Agresto
complied
with the
subpoena
duces
tecum and
the
suspension
was
lifted.
May 14,
2009
Raul
Novo,
Gordon,
Dodson,
Gordon &
Rowlett,
Suite 101,
10303
Memory
Lane,
Chesterfield,
VA 23832
VSB
Docket
Nos.
08-031-074033
and
08-031-074806
On May
8, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Raul
Novo's
license to
practice
law for
thirty
months,
effective
May 31,
2009, for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
competence,
diligence,
communication,
conflict
of
interest,
and
misconduct
that
reflects
adversely
on the
lawyer's
fitness to
practice.
The
violations
occurred
in a
personal
injury
representation
and a
divorce
case. This
was an
agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Novo final order (pdf posted 05/21/09)*
May 7,
2009
John W.
Wine, P.O.
Box 133,
Marshall,
Virginia
20116-0133
VSB
Docket No.
07-070-1360
On
April 22,
2009, a
three-judge
court in
the
Fauquier
County
Circuit
Court
imposed a
public
reprimand
on John
W. Wine
for
violating
the
professional
rule that
requires a
lawyer to
adequately
explain
fees to a
client.
The
misconduct
occurred
in an
estate
administration.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of charges
against
Mr. Wine.
view Wine order (pdf posted 05/15/09)*
May 5,
2009
Peyton
Moncure
Chichester
III, 10665
Honey Tree
Road,
Richmond,
VA 23235
VSB
Docket No.
08-031-071258
On
April 21,
2009, a
Virginia
State Bar
Third
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
on
Peyton
Moncure
Chichester
III
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
diligence
and
communication
in
representing
a client
in a case
of alleged
housing
discrimination.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Chichester order (pdf posted 05/15/09)*
May 5,
2009
Howard
Norman
Bierman
702 North
Irving
Street,
Arlington,
Virginia
22201
VSB
Docket
Nos.
08-041-072548,
08-041-072921,
08-041-072923,
08-041-074232,
08-041-074233,
08-041-073082
On
April 15,
2009, a
Virginia
State Bar
Fourth
District,
Section I,
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
admonition
on
Howard
Norman
Bierman
for
violating
the
professional
rule that
governs
diligence.
In six
cases
involving
foreclosure
sales, he
failed to
timely
file
required
documents
with
commissioners
of
accounts
in
Virginia
Beach,
Staunton,
and
Chesterfield
County,
and he
failed to
respond to
inquiries
from the
commissioners.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Bierman order (pdf posted 05/15/09)*
April
30, 2009
Joseph
Kelly
Haley III,
The
Marshall
Building,
2nd
Floor, 105
Marshall
Street,
Petersburg,
VA 23803
VSB
Docket No.
07-033-1995
On
April 24,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Joseph
Kelly
Haley
III's
license to
practice
law. Mr.
Haley
stipulated
that he
violated
professional
rules that
govern
competence,
diligence,
safekeeping
property,
declining
or
terminating
representation,
fairness
to
opposing
party and
counsel,
and
misconduct
that
reflects
adversely
on the
lawyer's
fitness to
practice.
The
violations
occurred
in a
guardianship
of an
incapacitated
adult.
view Haley order (pdf posted 05/27/09)*
April
29, 2009
*
Gary
Lance
Smith, 417
South
Loudon
Street,
Winchester,
VA 22601
VSB
Docket No.
08-070-073538
On
April 29,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Gary
Lance
Smith's
license
administratively
to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
*On May
21, 2009,
Mr. Smith
complied
with the
subpoena
duces
tecum and
the
suspension
was
lifted.
April
17, 2009
James
Edward
Moyler Jr.
P.O. Box
246,
Franklin,
Virginia
23851-0246
VSB
Docket No.
09-010-076281
On
April 13,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
James
Edward
Moyler's
license to
practice
law. Mr.
Moyler
admitted
that he
acknowledged
in court
proceedings
that he
had
'loaned'
himself
more than
$3.5
million
from an
estate for
which he
was
executor.
The bar
had
scheduled
an April
14, 2009,
expedited
hearing
after
learning
that he
had been
ordered by
the
Southampton
County
Circuit
Court to
account
for funds
in at
least two
estates.
view Moyler consent to revocation (pdf posted 04/17/09)*
April
15, 2009
Vincent
Francis
Bonzagni,
The
Bonzagni
Law Firm,
147
Mountain
Top Road,
Front
Royal,
Virginia
22630-6013
VSB
Docket No.
09-070-078085
On
April 15,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Vincent
Francis
Bonzagni's
license
administratively
to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
April 15,
2009
*
William L.
Stables,
Jr., 57
South Main
Street,
Suite 209,
Harrisonburg,
Virginia
22801
09-070-076278
On
April 15,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
William
L. Stables
Jr's
license
administratively
to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
*On May
14, 2009,
Mr.
Stables
complied
with the
subpoena
duces
tecum and
the
suspension
was
lifted.
April
14, 2009
Robert
Max
Jenkins,
Jenkins &
Jenkins,
513 East
Main
Street,
Radford,
Virginia
24141-0886
VSB
Docket
Nos.
07-000-1254
On April
14,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended Robert
Max
Jenkins's,
license to
practice
law on
impairment
grounds.
view Jenkins order (pdf posted 04/16/09)*
April
7, 2009
Alfred
Lincoln
Robertson
Jr.,
Robertson
Law
Office,
PLLC,
11350
Random
Hills
Road,
#800,
Fairfax,
Virginia
22030
VSB
Docket No.
08-052-071661
On
April 1,
2009, a
Virginia
State Bar
Fifth
District,
Section
II,
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on
Alfred
Lincoln
Robertson
Jr.
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
diligence,
communication,
and
safekeeping
property.
The
misconduct
occurred
in a
domestic
relations
case and
included
failure to
deposit
client
funds in a
trust
account,
as the
rules
require.
This was
an agreed
disposition.
view Robertson determination (pdf posted 04/16/09)*
April
6, 2009
Jason
Howard
Arthur,
Ross &
Arthur,
255 Broad
Street,
Kingsport,
Tennessee
37660
VSB
Docket No.
09-000-078042
On
April 2,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Jason
Howard
Arthur's
Virginia
license to
practice
law for
thirty
days, with
all time
suspended.
The
board's
action was
based on a
November
3, 2008,
order of
the
Supreme
Court of
Tennessee,
which
suspended
Mr.
Arthur's
Tennessee
license
for thirty
days, also
suspended;
placed him
on
monitored
probation
for one
year, and
ordered
him to pay
restitution
to a
client.
This was
an agreed
disposition.
view Arthur final order (pdf posted 04/16/09)*
April
6, 2009
*
Alan
Sherwin
Toppelberg,
2727 S.
Quincy
Street,
Apartment
707,
Arlington,
Virginia
22206
09-000-078935
On
April 3,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Alan
Sherwin
Toppelberg's
license to
practice
law, based
on his
one-year
suspension
by the
District
of
Columbia
Court of
Appeals.
The board
ordered
Mr.
Toppelberg
to appear
on April
24, 2009,
to show
cause why
his
Virginia
license
should not
be further
suspended
or
revoked.
*On
April 24,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Alan
Sherwin
Toppelberg's
license to
practice
law for
one year,
the same
discipline
imposed by
the
District
of
Columbia
Court of
Appeals
for
professional
misconduct
in that
jurisdiction.
view Toppelberg order (pdf posted 05/27/09)*
April
6, 2009
James
Fred
Sumpter,
P. O. Box
5564,
Midlothian,
Virginia
23112
VSB
Docket
Nos.
06-032-4173
and
07-032-1740
On
April 1,
2009, a
Virginia
State Bar
Third
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
on
James Fred
Sumpter
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
diligence,
communication,
fees,
disregarding
court
rules or
orders,
discovery
abuse, and
misconduct.
The matter
involved
Mr.
Sumpter's
representations
in a
domestic
relations
case and a
court-appointed
criminal
appeal.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Sumpter determination (pdf posted 04/16/09)*
April
2, 2009
Robert
W.
Spessard
Jr., PO
Box 22,
109 East
Main
Street,
Floyd,
Virginia
24091
VSB
Docket No.
08-101-071407
On March
31, 2009,
a Virginia
State Bar
Tenth
District,
Section I,
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on
Robert W.
Spessard
Jr.
for
violating
disciplinary
rules that
govern
competence,
scope of
representation,
communication,
conflict
of
interest,
and
misconduct
that
reflects
adversely
on the
lawyer's
fitness to
practice.
The
violations
occurred
in a case
in which
Mr. Spessard
was
settlement
agent in a
land
purchase.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Spessard determination (pdf posted 04/02/09)*
April 2,
2009
Paul
Granville
Watson IV,
P. O. Box
600,
Eastville,
Virginia
23347
VSB Docket
No.
08-022-071777
On March
23, 2009,
a Virginia
State Bar
Second
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
on Paul
Granville
Watson IV
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
diligence
and bar
admission
and
disciplinary
matters.
The
violations
occurred
in a
divorce
representation
and Mr.
Watson's
subsequent
failure to
cooperate
with a bar
investigation
of the
complaint.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Watson determination (pdf posted 04/02/09)*
April
2, 2009
Paul
Granville
Watson IV,
P. O. Box
600,
Eastville,
Virginia
23347
VSB
Docket No.
08-022-073510
On
March 23,
2009, a
Virginia
State Bar
Second
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
on Paul
Granville
Watson IV
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
communication
and bar
admission
and
disciplinary
matters.
The
violations
occurred
in a
criminal
appeal and
Mr.
Watson's
subsequent
failure to
cooperate
with a bar
investigation
of the
complaint.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Watson determination (pdf posted 04/02/09)*
April
2, 2009
Paul
Granville
Watson IV,
P. O. Box
600,
Eastville,
Virginia
23347
08-022-075543
On
March 23,
2009, a
Virginia
State Bar
Second
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
on Paul
Granville
Watson IV
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern bar
admission
and
disciplinary
matters.
The
violation
occurred
when Mr.
Watson
failed to
respond
with the
bar's
attempt to
informally
resolve a
complaint
about a
criminal
representation
and then
failed to
cooperate
when the
bar opened
an active
investigation.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Watson determination (pdf posted 04/02/09)*
April 1,
2009
* **
***
****
David
Loren
Shurtz,
1039 North
Highland
Street,
Arlington,
VA 22201
VSB Docket
No.
07-041-1154
On March
26, 2009,
a
three-judge
court in
Arlington
County
Circuit
Court
suspended
David
Loren
Shurtz's
license to
practice
law for
eighteen
months,
effective
April 16,
2009. Mr.
Shurtz
violated
disciplinary
rules that
govern
communication,
conflict
of
interest -
prohibited
transactions,
and
misconduct
that
reflects
adversely
on a
lawyer's
honesty,
trustworthiness
or fitness
to
practice
law. The
violations
occurred
during his
representation
of a
client in
a personal
injury
case.
*On April
16, 2009,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
granted a
stay of
the
suspension
pending
the
appeal.
**On May
22, 2009,
Mr. Shurtz
filed an
appeal
with the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia.
***On
April 22,
2010, the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
denied the
petition
for
rehearing.
****On May
27, 2010,
the
Circuit
Court
suspended
Mr.
Shurtz's
license
for
eighteen
months
effective
June 25,
2010.
view Shurtz order (pdf posted 05/15/09)*
View
Shurtz
Order
(PDF
posted
6/29/10)
March 27,
2009
James
Andrew
Carter II,
The Law
Firm of
Thomas L.
Hunter &
Associates,
910 West
Mercury
Boulevard,
Suite 2A,
Hampton,
VA 23666
VSB Docket
Nos.
06-060-2563,
06-060-3160,
06-060-3942,
06-060-4118,
07-060-1738,
07-060-064820,
08-060-072335
On March
26, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
James
Andrew
Carter
II's
license to
practice
law for
five years
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
competence,
diligence,
communication,
confidentiality
of
information,
conflict
of
interest,
safekeeping
property,
declining
or
terminating
representation,
fairness
to
opposing
party and
counsel,
respect
for rights
of third
persons,
bar
admission
and
disciplinary
matters,
and
misconduct
that
reflects
adversely
on a
lawyer's
honesty,
trustworthiness
or fitness
to
practice.
view Carter order (pdf posted 05/01/09)*
March
27, 2009
Kristina
Marie
Cardwell,
1716
Purpose
Drive,
Virginia
Beach
23453
09-000-077709
*
On
March 26,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Kristina
Marie
Cardwell's
license to
practice
law, based
on her
December
4, 2008,
guilty
plea to
wire fraud
in U.S.
District
Court-Eastern
District
of
Virginia,
Norfolk
Division.
The board
ordered
Ms.
Cardwell
to appear
on April
24, 2009,
to show
cause why
her
license
should not
be further
suspended
or
revoked.
*On April
14, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Kristina
Marie
Cardwell's
license to
practice
law. She
pled
guilty on
December
4, 2008,
to wire
fraud in
U.S.
District
Court for
the
Eastern
District
of
Virginia.
She
consented
to the
revocation
after her
license
was
summarily
suspended
March 26,
2009.
view Cardwell revocation order (pdf posted 04/16/09)*
March
27, 2009
*
Royal
Daniel
III,
International
Trade
Research,
Washington,
D.C. 20005
VSB Docket
No.
09-000-078723
On
March 26,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Royal
Daniel
III's
license to
practice
law, based
on his
April 17,
2008,
disbarment
by the
Colorado
Supreme
Court. The
board
ordered
Mr. Daniel
to appear
on April
24, 2009,
to show
cause why
his
Virginia
license
should not
be further
suspended
or
revoked.
*On April
24, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Royal
Daniel
III's
license to
practice
law,
based on
his April
17, 2008,
disbarment
by the
Colorado
Supreme
Court.
view Daniel order (pdf posted 05/27/09)*
March 24,
2009
*
Robert
Henry
Smallenberg,
1415
Mechanicsville
Turnpike,
Richmond,
Virginia
23223
VSB
Docket No.
09-032-075885
On
March 24,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Robert
Henry
Smallenberg's
license
administratively
to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
*On March
30, 2009,
Mr.
Smallenberg
complied
with the
subpoena
duces
tecum and
the
suspension
was
lifted.
March 24,
2009
*
Crystal
Anita Gist
Fisher,
10462
Kelso
Court,
Waldorf,
Maryland
20603
VSB
Docket No.
08-042-074643
On
March 24,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Crystal
Anita Gist
Fisher's
license
administratively
to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
*On
October
29, 2009,
Ms. Fisher
complied
with the
subpoena
duces
tecum and
the
suspension
was
lifted.
March
25, 2009
Carr
Lanier
Kinder,
Jr., 1602
Hamilton
Terrace
SE,
Roanoke,
VA 24014
VSB
Docket No.
09-000-077547
On
March 24,
2009, The
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Carr
Lanier
Kinder,
Jr.'s,
license to
practice
law on
impairment
grounds.
view Kinder order (pdf posted 03/27/09)*
March
18, 2009
*
Kathleene
Anne
Cipriano,
Gay &
Cipriano,
P.C.,
Suite 308,
3500
Virginia
Beach
Boulevard,
Virginia
Beach,
Virginia
23452
VSB
Docket No.
09-021-075780
On
March 13,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
administratively
suspended
Kathleene
Anne
Cipriano's
license to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
*On March
20, 2009,
Ms.
Cipriano
complied
with the
subpoena
duces
tecum, and
the
suspension
was
lifted.
March
13, 2009
Stephen
Lee
McPherson,
700
Seabrook
Lane,
Chesapeake,
Virginia
23322
VSB
Docket No.
09-000-078314
On
March 13,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Stephen
Lee
McPherson's
license to
practice
law. In
consenting
to the
revocation,
Mr.
McPherson
acknowledged
that he
was facing
a
disciplinary
investigation
based on
his guilty
pleas on
January
23, 2009,
in
Chesapeake
Circuit
Court to
four
sexual
crimes
against
minors in
his
custody
and care,
and that
he is
facing
similar
charges in
Virginia
Beach
Circuit
Court. The
board
summarily
suspended
his
license on
February
27, 2009,
pending a
show cause
hearing.
view McPherson order (pdf posted 03/20/09)*
March
13, 2009
* **
Michael
Patrick
Weatherbee,
Suite 203,
2009 North
14th
Street,
Arlington,
VA
22201-2514
VSB
docket No.
05-041-4811
On
January
29, 2009,
a
three-judge
panel of
the
Arlington
County
Circuit
Court
imposed a
public
reprimand
on
Michael
Patrick
Weatherbee
for
violating
the
disciplinary
rule that
governs
meritorious
claims and
contentions.
The
misconduct
occurred
in a
medical
malpractice
case, in
which Mr.
Weatherbee
incorrectly
named a
physician
as a
defendant.
view Weatherbee order (pdf posted 05/01/09)*
*On May
11, 2009,
Mr.
Weatherbee
filed an
appeal
with the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia.
**On March
17, 2010,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
affirmed
the
decision
of the
Circuit
Court of
Arlington
county.
March
11, 2009
Spencer
Dean Ault,
Law Office
of Spencer
D. Ault,
13193
Mountain
Road,
Lovettsville,
VA 20180
VSB
Docket No.
07-070-1279
On
February
24, 2009,
a Virginia
State Bar
Seventh
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
on
Spencer
Dean Ault
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
diligence,
communication,
and
declining
or
terminating
representation.
Mr. Ault
neglected
an
employment
matter for
more than
a year,
failed to
communicate
with the
client,
did not
provide
the file
upon
request,
and did
not
withdraw
from
representation
as the
rules
require.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Ault order (pdf posted 03/12/09)*
March
11, 2009
Scott
Nader
Kazem,
Kazem &
Kazem PLC,
101 East
Market
Street,
Leesburg,
VA 20176
VSB
Docket No.
07-070-1280
On
March 2,
2009, a
Virginia
State Bar
Seventh
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
admonition
with terms
on
Scott
Nader
Kazem
for
violating
the
disciplinary
rule that
governs
lawyer as
witness.
Mr. Kazem
accepted a
domestic
relations
case in
which he
was likely
to be a
witness.
view Kazem order (pdf posted 03/12/09)*
March
11, 2009
Andrew
George
Adams III,
P.O. Box
1912,
Richmond,
Virginia
23218
VSB
Docket
Nos.
08-033-072151,
08-033-075263,
09-033-075888,
09-033-075986,
09-033-076249,
09-033-076317,
09-033-076871,
09-033-076942,
09-033-076963,
09-033-077931,
09-033-078019,
09-033-078152
On
March 9,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Andrew
George
Adams
III's
license to
practice
law. In
consenting
to the
revocation,
Mr. Adams
acknowledged
as true
the
material
facts in
twelve
disciplinary
cases that
were
pending
against
him, and
stated
that he
could not
defend
himself
against
the
allegations
if they
were
prosecuted.
The twelve
cases
involved
bankruptcy
and
domestic
relations.
view Adams order (pdf posted 03/11/09)*
March
11, 2009
Sue
Ella
Easterling
Kobak,
P.O. Box
428,
Pennington
Gap,
Virginia
24277-0428
VSB
Docket
Nos.
07-102-070344,
07-102-070249,
07-102-064898,
07-102-070665,
08-102-071254
On
February
23, 2009,
a Virginia
State Bar
Tenth
District,Section
II
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on Sue
Ella
Easterling
Kobak
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
safekeeping
property
and
responsibilities
regarding
nonlawyer
assistants.
Ms. Kobak
delegated
her
professional
obligation
to manage
her escrow
and trust
accounts
to an
administrative
assistant,
who
embezzled
money from
the
accounts.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Kobak order (pdf posted 03/11/09)*
March
10, 2009
Lindsey
Owen
Sutherland,
Suite 300,
4085 Chain
Bridge
Road,
Fairfax,
VA
22030-4106
VSB
Docket No.
08-051-074583
On
February
20, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Lindsey
Owen
Sutherland's
license to
practice
law for
forty-five
days,
effective
February
24, 2009,
for
violating
disciplinary
rules that
govern
competence,
diligence,
communication,
declining
or
terminating
representation,
and bar
admission
and
disciplinary
matters.
The
violations
occurred
in a debt
collection
matter.
view Sutherland order (pdf posted 03/11/09)*
March
10, 2009
J.
Patterson
Rogers
III,
Masonic
Building
Suite 600,
105 South
Union
Street,
Danville,
Virginia
24541
VSB
Docket No.
09-090-075922
On
March 3,
2009, a
Virginia
State Bar
Ninth
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on J.
Patterson
Rogers III
for
violating
the
professional
rule that
governs
diligence.
The
misconduct
occurred
in a
personal
injury
representation.
This was
an agreed
disposition.
view Rogers order (pdf posted 03/11/09)*
March
10, 2009
Patrick
Allen
Robbins,
23365
Front
Street,
P.O. Box
757,
Accomac,
VA 23301
VSB
Docket No.
08-021-074543
On
February
25, 2009,
a Virginia
State Bar
Second
District
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on
Patrick
Allen
Robbins
for
violating
the
professional
rule that
governs
competence.
In a
court-appointed
representation
of a
criminal
appeal,
Mr.
Robbins
filed a
petition
that
failed to
cite any
legal
authority
in support
of his
argument.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view Robbins order (pdf posted 03/11/09)*
March
5, 2009
Andrew
George
Adams,
III, P.O.
Box 1912,
Richmond,
Virginia
23218
VSB
Docket
Nos.
09-033-075986,
09-033-076963,
09-033-076317,
09-033-076871,
09-033-076249,
09-033-076942,
09-033-076547,
09-033-077931
and
09-033-078152
On
March 4,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
administratively
suspended
Andrew
George
Adams's,
III,
license to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoenae
duces
tecum.
February
27, 2009
*
Maxime
Austria
Frias,
4605
Pembroke
Lake
Circuit,
Suite 302
B,
Virginia
Beach,
Virginia
23455
09-000-077782
On
February
27, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Maxime
Austria
Frias's
license to
practice
law, based
on his
December
10, 2008,
guilty
plea in
the U.S.
District
Court for
the Eastern
District
of
Virginia
to making
a false
statement.
The board
ordered
Mr. Frias
to appear
March 27, 2009, and show cause
why his
license
should not
be further
suspended
or
revoked.
*On March
27, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Maxime
Austria
Frias's
license to practice law. On
December
10, 2008,
Mr. Frias
pled
guilty in
the U.S.
District
Court-Eastern
District
of
Virginia
to charges
of making
false
statements
for the
purpose of
obtaining
permanent
residency
for an
immigration
client.
Mr. Frias
consented
to the
revocation.
His
license
had been
suspended
since
February
27, 2009,
pending a
show cause
hearing.
view Frias
order
(pdf
posted
04/01/09)*
February
27,
2009
*
Bada Phu
Nguyen,
Nguyen
Associates,
6107-E
Arlington
Boulevard,
Falls
Church,
Virginia 22044
VSB Docket
No.
09-000-078277
On
February
27, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Bada
Phu
Nguyen's
license to
practice
law, based
on his
guilty
plea in
Fairfax
County
General
District
Court to a
charge of
embezzlement.
The board
ordered
Mr. Nguyen
to appear
on March
27, 2009,
to show
cause why
his
license
should not
be further
suspended
or
revoked.
*On March
24, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Bada Phu
Nguyen's
license to
practice
law. Mr.
Nguyen
consented
to the
revocation.
He pled
guilty in
Fairfax
County
General
District
Court to a
charge of
embezzlement.
His
license
had been
suspended
since
February
27, 2009,
pending a
show cause
hearing.
view
Nguyen
order
(pdf
posted
04/01/09)*
February
27,
2009
*
Kevin
Michael
Cunningham,
8019 Kiwi
Point,
Tega Cay,
South
Carolina
29708
VSB Docket
No.
09-000-078512
On
February
27, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Kevin
Michael
Cunningham's
license to
practice
law, based
on his
disbarment
by consent
in South
Carolina.
The board
ordered
Mr.
Cunningham
to appear
on March
27, 2009,
to show
cause why
his
Virginia
license
should not
be further
suspended
or
revoked.
*On March
27, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Kevin
Michael
Cunningham's
license to
practice
law in
Virginia.
view
Cunningham
final
order
(pdf
posted
04/16/09)*
February
27,
2009
*
Nathan
Harold
Wasser, 43
Greene
Street,
Cumberland, MD 21502-2926
VSB Docket
No.
09-000-078453
On
February
26, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
summarily
suspended
Nathan
Harold
Wasser's
license to
practice
of law,
based on
his
disbarment
by consent
on
February
3, 2009,
by the
Attorney
Grievance
Commission
of
Maryland.
The board
ordered
Mr. Wasser
to appear
on March
26, 2009,
to show
cause why
the same
discipline
imposed in
Maryland
should not
be imposed
in
Virginia.
On March
24, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Nathan
Harold
Wasser's
license to
practice
law in
Virginia. Mr. Wasser consented to the revocation. He was disbarred in
Maryland on February
3, 2009,
and his
Virginia
license
was
suspended
on
February 26, 2009, pending a show cause hearing.
view
Wasser
consent to
revocation
(pdf
posted
04/17/09)*
February
26, 2009
*
Richard
Francis
Papcun,
625
Southpark
Boulevard,
Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834
VSB Docket
No.
08-031-075283
On
February
19, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Richard
Francis
Papcun's
license
administratively
to
practice
law for
failure to
comply
with a
subpoena
duces
tecum.
*On March
26, 2010,
Mr. Papcun
complied
with the
subpoena
duces
tecum and
the
suspension
was
lifted.
February
26, 2009
Wade Trent
Compton,
Compton &
Compton,
P.C.,
P.O. Box 1000, Lebanon,
Virginia 24266
VSB Docket
No.
09-000-077172
On
February
20,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Wade
Trent
Compton's license
to
practice
law, on
impairment
grounds.
view
Compton
order
(pdf
posted
03/20/09)*
February
25, 2009
Christopher
J.
Collins,
304 East
Main
Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219-3820
VSB Docket
No.
07-033-070911
On
December
4, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Third
District-Section
III
Committee
imposed a
public
dismissal
de minimis
on
Christopher
J. Collins
for
violating
a
professional
rule that
governs
misconduct
by
committing
a criminal
or
deliberately
wrongful
act that
reflects
adversely
on the
lawyer's
honesty,
trustworthiness
or fitness
to
practice
law. The
subcommittee
determined
that, by
taking
photographs
of a
client
whom he
was
defending
in a
criminal
matter,
Mr.
Collins
violated
the
foundation
of trust
between an
attorney
and
client.
view
Collins
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
Daniel
Jason
Miller,
Miller,
Reagan &
Associates,
4768 Euclid Road, Suite 104,
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
VSB Docket
No.
08-022-074392
On
February
20, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Second
District
Committee
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on
Daniel
Jason
Miller
for
violating
the
disciplinary
rule that
governs
declining
or
terminating
representation.
The
violation
occurred
when Mr.
Miller
failed to
appear on
behalf of
a client
in a child
support
hearing
and did
not
withdraw
from the
case and
protect
his
client's
interests
as the
rules
require.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view
Miller
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
Steven
Lieberman,
700
Newtown
Road,
Suite 11,
Norfolk, Virginia 23502-3904
VSB Docket
Nos.
07-022-070561,
08-022-074382
On
February
20, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Steven
Lieberman's
license to
practice
law. In
consenting
to the
revocation,
Mr.
Lieberman
admitted
that he
violated
disciplinary
rules that
govern
fees,
diligence,
safekeeping
property,
and
misconduct
that
reflects
adversely
on the
lawyer's
fitness to
practice.
The
violations
occurred
in his
representations
in a
divorce
and a
lawsuit to
determine
real
estate
interests
in a
former
business
partnership.
In both
cases, Mr.
Lieberman
mishandled
client
funds.
view
Lieberman
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
Kelly
Ralston
Dennis,
6718
Whittier
Avenue,
No. 200,
McLean, Virginia 22101
VSB Docket
Nos.
07-051-064900,
07-051-070590,
08-051-072502,
08-051-072990,
08-051-074032
On January
23, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Kelly
Ralston
Dennis's
license to
practice
law for
six months
with
terms,
effective
February
20, 2009.
Mr. Dennis
violated
professional
rules that
govern
diligence,
communication,
and
safekeeping
property.
The
violations
occurred
in five
cases in
which he
failed to
deposit
clients'
fees into
his trust
account,
as the
professional
rules
require.
The terms
include
unannounced
inspections
of his
accounts
by the
Virginia
State Bar
for two
years.
view
Dennis
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
John
Lawson
Moss, 626
Peery
Addition
Road,
Tazewell, Virginia 24651
VSB Docket
Nos.
07-102-071016,
07-102-071189,
08-102-071564,
08-102-072295,
08-102-072297,
08-102-072416,
08-102-073045,
08-102-073116,
08-102-075544
On
February
2, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
John
Lawson
Moss's
license to
practice
law for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
competence;
diligence;
communication;
safekeeping
property,
including
record
keeping
requirements
and
accounting
procedures;
delivery
of former
client's
file; and
misconduct
that
reflects
adversely
on a
lawyer's
honesty,
trustworthiness
or fitness
to
practice.
In
consenting
to the
revocation,
Mr. Moss
admitted
to
misconduct
charges in
nine
pending
disciplinary
cases. In
six of the
cases, he
failed to
deposit
client
fees in
his trust
account,
as the
professional
rules
require.
view Moss
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
Johnnie
Warren
Tomlin,
3959
Electric
Road,
Suite 105,
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
VSB Docket
No.
06-080-4094
On January
29, 2009,
a
three-judge
panel of
the City
of Roanoke
Circuit
Court
suspended
Johnnie
Warren
Tomlin's
license
for five
days,
effective
February
23, 2009,
for
violating
the
professional
rule that
governs
misconduct
by
engaging
in conduct
involving
dishonesty,
fraud,
deceit, or
misrepresentation
that
reflects
adversely
on the
lawyer's
fitness to
practice.
Without
his wife's
knowledge,
Mr. Tomlin
signed her
name to a
special
power of
attorney,
which he
used to
purchase a
beach
house and
obtain a
mortgage.
This was
an agreed
disposition
of
misconduct
charges.
view
Tomlin
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
Uzair
Mansoor
Siddiqui,
12944
Center
Entrance
Court,
Manassas, Virginia 20109
VSB Docket
Nos.
08-052-071295,
08-052-072646
On January
23, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Uzair
Mansoor
Siddiqui's
license to
practice
law for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
diligence;
communication;
safekeeping
property,
including
recordkeeping;
declining
or
terminating
representation,
including
delivering
a former
client's
file; and
bar
admission
and
disciplinary
matters.
In
consenting
to the
revocation,
Mr.
Siddiqui
admitted
that, in a
domestic
relations
matter and
a
bankruptcy
case, he
had failed
to
communicate
with
clients
and had
not
cooperated
with the
VSB
investigation.
In the
bankruptcy
case, he
failed to
deposit a
client's
fee in his
trust
account,
as the
professional
rules
require.
view
Siddiqui
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
Charles
William
Austin
Jr., 119
Huddersfield
Drive,
Richmond, Virginia 23236
VSB Docket
Nos.
06-031-0669,
07-031-2196,
09-031-075999
On January
23, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Charles
William
Austin
Jr.'s
license to
practice
law. In an
affidavit
consenting
to the
revocation,
Mr. Austin
admitted
to the
material
facts of
allegations
in three
pending
misconduct
cases, and
said he
could not
defend
himself if
disciplinary
charges
were
prosecuted.
While
representing
clients in
two
actions
for
securities
fraud, he
told the
clients
that he
had filed
their
complaints
when he
had not,
and he
made other
misrepresentations.
In a third
case, he
took funds
he was not
entitled
to from a
monetary
settlement
that
should
have been
held in
trust.
view
Austin
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
Lindsey
Owen
Sutherland,
4085 Chain
Bridge
Road,
Suite 300,
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4106
VSB Docket
Nos.
07-051-1150,
07-051-2846
On
December
12, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Lindsey
Owen
Sutherland's
license to
practice
law for
thirty
days for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
competence,
diligence,
communication,
and
declining
or
terminating
representation.
The cases
involved a
personal
injury
representation
and a debt
collection
matter.
view
Sutherland
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
25, 2009
*
**
***
Peter Paul
Mitrano,
P.O. Box
3973,
Merrifield, Virginia 22116
VSB Docket
No.
09-000-076109
On
December
12, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Peter Paul
Mitrano's
license to
practice
law, based
on his
disbarment
by the
District
of
Columbia
Court of
Appeals.
Should he
apply for
reinstatement
in
Virginia,
in
addition
to the
usual
conditions
he must
also prove
that he
paid
restitution
to a
client of
$241,336.59,
less any
amount he
can prove
he was
entitled
to. Mr.
Mitrano's
Virginia
license
was
suspended
on August
22, 2008,
pending
the
December
12
hearing.
view
Mitrano
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
*On
January
20, 2009,
Mr.
Mitrano
filed an
appeal
with the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia.
**On May
22, 2009,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
dismissed
the
appeal.
***On
September
24, 2009,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
denied the
petition
for
rehearing.
February
25, 2009
* **
Ronald
Marc
Cohen,
Suite 112,
2300 South
Ninth
Street,
Arlington, Virginia 22204-2320
VSB Docket
No.
09-000-075107
On
November
21, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Ronald
Marc
Cohen's
license to
practice
law. Mr.
Cohen pled
guilty in
Arlington
County
Circuit
Court to
Internet
solicitation
of, and
attempted
indecent
liberties
with, a
minor. His
license
has been
suspended
since July
24, 2008,
pending a
show cause
hearing.
view Cohen
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
*On
January
20, 2009,
Mr. Cohen
filed an
appeal
with the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia.
**On
February
20, 2009,
Mr. Cohen
withdrew
his
appeal.
February
25, 2009
* ** ***
****
*****
******
*******
Walter
Franklin
Green IV,
77 North
Liberty
Street,
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802
VSB Docket
Nos.
05-070-4678,
06-070-0739,
06-070-2089,
06-070-2259
On August
22, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Walter
Franklin
Green IV's
license to
practice
law for
eighteen
months for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
communication,
safekeeping
property,
and
declining
or
terminating
representation.
The
violations
occurred
during Mr.
Green's
representations
in a
criminal
matter and
a lawsuit
against an
insurance
company.
Two cases
against
Mr. Green
were
dismissed.
view Opinion re Green (this link will take you to the website of the Supreme Court of Virginia)
view Green
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
*On August
25, 2008,
Mr. Green
filed an
appeal
with the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia.
**On
November
20, 2008,
Mr. Green
filed an
amended
notice of
appeal.
***On
December
12, 2008,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
granted a
stay of
the
suspension
pending
the
appeal.
****On
September
24, 2009,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
denied the
petition
for
rehearing.
*****On
October
15, 2009,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
affirmed
the
decision
of the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board.
******On
October
19, 2009,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
suspended
Mr.
Green's
license to
practice
law.
*******On
May 20,
2010, the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
affirmed
the
decision
of the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board.
view Green suspension order (pdf posted 10/21/09)
February
25, 2009
* **
***
****
Timothy
Martin
Barrett,
The Injury
Law
Institute
of
Virginia,
108 Galaxy
Way,
Yorktown, Virginia 23693
VSB Docket
No.
07-022-070253
On August
1, 2008, a
three-judge
panel of
the York
County
Circuit
Court
revoked
Timothy
Martin
Barrett's
license to
practice
law, for
violating
a
professional
rule that
governs
meritorious
claims and
contentions.
Mr.
Barrett
repeatedly
made
frivolous
pro se
arguments
to the
Grayson
County
Circuit
Court and
to the
Virginia
Court of
Appeals in
arguing
that as a
noncustodial
parent he
had no
duty to
support
his minor
children.
In
revoking
Mr.
Barrett's
license,
the court
considered
his record
of
litigation
misconduct,
which led
to two
previous
license
suspensions.
view
Barrett
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
*On
September
23, 2008,
Mr.
Barrett
filed an
appeal
with the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia.
**On May
1, 2009,
Mr.
Barrett
petitioned
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
for a
rehearing.
***On June
12, 2009,
the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
denied the
petition
for
rehearing.
****On
July 1,
2009, the
Supreme
Court of
Virginia
affirmed
the
decision
of the
three-judge
court
revoking
Mr.
Barrett's
license to
practice
law.
February
25, 2009
Wade Trent
Compton,
Compton &
Compton
PC, Post
Office
Box 1000, Lebanon,
Virginia 24266
VSB Docket
No.
06-102-3595
On
December
15, 2008,
a
three-judge
panel of
the
Dickenson
County
Circuit
Court
suspended
Wade
Trent
Compton's
license to
practice
law for
five years
with terms
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
conflict
of
interest
and
misconduct
that
involves a
criminal
or
deliberately
wrongful
act that
reflects
adversely
on the
lawyer's
honesty,
trustworthiness,
or fitness
as a
lawyer.
Mr.
Compton
stipulated
in an
agreed
disposition
that he
engaged in
sexual
conduct
with
clients
while
employed
at a
licensed
legal aid
society.
view
Compton
order
(pdf
posted
02/25/09)*
February
11, 2009
Michael
Jackson
Beattie,
2663
Manhattan
Place,
Suite 106,
Vienna, Virginia 22108
VSB Case
Nos.
06-051-3317,
07-051-1351,
07-051-1867,
07-051-2331
On
December
29, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Michael
Jackson
Beattie's
license to
practice
law. In
consenting
to the
revocation,
Mr.
Beattie
admitted
that he
had
violated
disciplinary
rules that
govern
competence,
diligence,
communication,
disregarding
court
rules or
orders,
disruptive
conduct
toward
tribunal,
and
supervision
of
nonlawyer
assistants.
The
misconduct
occurred
in a civil
representation
and in
appeals of
cases that
involved a
complaint
of
workplace
discrimination,
workers'
compensation
benefits,
and an
employee
discharge.
view
Beattie
order
(pdf
posted
02/12/09)*
January
22, 2009
*
Steven
Scott Biss,
36 Bear
Alley,
Suite 400,
Petersburg,
Virginia 23803
VSB Docket
No.
05-033-0055
On October
17, 2008,
a
three-judge
panel of
the
Chesterfield
County
Circuit
Court
imposed a
suspension
of one
year and
one day on
Steven
Scott Biss,
effective
January 1,
2009. In a
corporate
and
securities
matter, he
violated
professional
rules that
govern
competence,
scope of
representation,
and
misconduct
that
involves
deliberately
wrongful
acts that
reflect
adversely
on his
fitness to
practice.
view Biss
order
(pdf
posted
01/22/09)*
view Biss order (pdf posted 06/11/09)*
*On May 4,
2009, the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
found that
Mr. Biss
complied
with
Virginia
Supreme
Court Rule
Part 6,
Section
IV,
Paragraph
13.M.
January
22, 2009
James
Spaulding
Powell,
350
Indiana
Street,
Golden, Colorado 80401
VSB Docket
Nos.
07-031-2686
and
07-000-2690
On
December
17, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
James
Spaulding
Powell's
license to
practice
law. In
his
consent to
the
revocation,
Mr. Powell
admitted
that a
client had
given him
money to
settle a
matter
with the
Internal
Revenue
System,
but the
check Mr.
Powell
issued to
the IRS on
the
client's
behalf was
returned
for
insufficient
funds. He
also
admitted
that,
after a
VSB
suspension
in 2006,
he had
failed to
notify a
client of
the
suspension.
view
Powell
order
(pdf
posted
01/22/09)*
January
22, 2009
Adam
Harrison
Bryant,
5908
Sierra
Grande
Drive,
Austin, Texas 78759
VSB Docket
No.
09-000-076567
On October
24, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
revoked
Adam
Harrison
Bryant's
license to
practice
law. He
was
convicted
in the
U.S.
District
Court for
the
District of Columbia of engaging
in
interstate
commerce
for the
purpose of
engaging
in illicit
sexual
contact
and of
enticing a
child or
minor,
both
felony
offenses.
Mr.
Bryant's
license
was
suspended
October 2,
2008,
pending
the
disciplinary
hearing.
view
Bryant
order
(pdf
posted
01/22/09)*
January
12, 2009
Judy Raye
Moats,
4041
University
Drive,
Suite 301,
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
VSB Docket
No.
07-052-2720
On
December
15, 2008,
a Virginia
State Bar
Fifth
District-Section
II
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
on Judy
Raye Moats
for
violating
the
professional
rule that
governs
communication.
In a real
estate
dispute,
Ms. Moats
failed to
respond to
the
client's
inquiries
in a
timely
manner.
This was
an agreed
disposition.
view Moats
determination,
Docket
Number
07-052-2720
(pdf
posted
01/15/09)*
January
12, 2009
Judy Raye
Moats,
4041
University
Drive,
Suite 301,
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
VSB Docket
No.
06-052-4071
On
December
15, 2008,
a Virginia
State Bar
Fifth
District-Section
II
Subcommittee
imposed a
public
reprimand
on Judy
Raye Moats
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
diligence,
communication,
and bar
admission
and
disciplinary
matters.
While
serving as
the
attorney
for the
personal
representative
of a
decedent's
estate,
Ms. Moats
failed to
file an
accounting
for the
estate,
make
disbursements,
and
respond to
the
client's
and the
court's
communications.
Ms. Moats
then
failed to
respond to
the
Virginia
State
Bar's
requests
for
information.
This was
an agreed
disposition.
view Moats
determination,
Docket
Number
06-052-4071
(pdf
posted
01/15/09)*
January 9,
2009
John O.
Iweanoge,
1026
Monroe
Street NE,
Washington, D.C. 20017-1760
VSB Docket
No.
08-041-074206
On
December
17, 2008,
a Virginia
State Bar
Fourth
District-Section
I
Subcommittee
issued a
public
admonition
to John
O.
Iweanoge
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
competence,
communication,
and fee
sharing.
The
discipline
is in
response
to a
public
informal
admonition
issued to
Mr.
Iweanoge
by the
District
of
Columbia
for
misconduct
in his
handling
of a
personal
injury
lawsuit he
filed in
the
Circuit
Court of
Prince
George's
County,
Maryland.
This was
an agreed
disposition
.
view
Iweanoge
determination
(pdf
posted
01/09/09)*
January 8,
2009
Jennings
T. Bird,
The Bird
Law Firm
PC, Post
Office Box
2795,
Roanoke, Virginia 24001-2795
VSB Docket
No.
07-080-1397
On
November
21, 2008,
a
three-judge
panel in
the
Roanoke
County
Circuit
Court
imposed a
public
reprimand
on
Jennings
T. Bird
for
violating
a
professional
rule that
governs
fairness
to
opposing
party and
counsel.
Mr. Bird
released a
witness in
a custody
dispute
from a
subpoena
issued by
opposing
counsel.
This was
an agreed
disposition.
view Bird
Final
order
(pdf
posted
01/09/09)*
January 8,
2009
Peter
Campbell
Sackett,
Peter C.
Sackett,
P.C., 714
Court
Street,
Lynchburg,
Virginia 24504
VSB Docket
No.
08-090-072950
On
November
25, 2008,
the
Virginia
State Bar
Disciplinary
Board
imposed a
public
reprimand
with terms
on
Peter
Campbell
Sackett
for
violating
professional
rules that
govern
diligence
and
safekeeping
property.
The
misconduct
occurred
in
connection
with a
real
estate
transaction.
Mr.
Sackett
must hire
a
certified
public
accountant
to bring
his
accounts
into
compliance.
This was
an agreed
disposition.
view
Sackett
final
order
(pdf
posted
01/09/09)*
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