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December 27, 2007

Jeffrey Frederick Bradley, Esquire, P.O. Box 1355, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22803

VSB Docket No. 06-070-3260

On December 19, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board issued a public reprimand with terms to Jeffrey Frederick Bradley for violating Rules of Professional Conduct that govern communication, diligence, candor toward a tribunal, and dishonesty.   The board ordered Mr. Bradley to change his membership status to a category that does not permit the practice of law. Mr. Bradley's license has been administratively suspended since August 24, 2007, and he has been ineligible to practice law since that time. This is an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Bradley.

view Bradley order (PDF posted 12/27/07)*

 

December 26, 2007

Gerard Raymond Marks, 519 Roanoke Street, P.O. Box 2204, Christiansburg, Virginia 24068-2204

VSB Docket Nos. 08-101-072154 and 08-101-072405

On December 26, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board administratively suspended Gerard Raymond Marks's license to practice law for failure to comply with a subpoena duces tecum.

 

December 26, 2007

Angela Dawn Whitley, Petersburg Public Defender's Office, 2 nd Floor, 105 Marshall Street, Petersburg, Virginia 23803

VSB Docket No. 05-032-4582

On December 26, 2007, the Virginia State Bar's Third District Committee imposed a public reprimand upon Angela Dawn Whitley.   Ms. Whitley violated Rules of Professional Conduct that govern the safeguarding and return of property when she failed to deposit a client's retainer fee in a trust account and did not return that fee in a timely manner when the representation ended.   This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Ms. Whitley.

view Whitley order (PDF posted 12/27/07)*

 

December 21, 2007

Arlene Lavinia Pripeton, Suite B, 10195 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031-3414

Fairfax County Circuit Court Case No. 2007-12572

VSB Docket No. 06-053-1493

On December 19, 2007, a three-judge panel of the Fairfax County Circuit Court suspended Arlene Lavinia Pripeton’s license to practice law for sixty days, effective December 22, 2007. Ms. Pripeton violated Rules of Professional Conduct that govern diligence and communication. She also made a false statement to the bar, obstructed a disciplinary investigation, and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation that reflects adversely on her fitness to practice law. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Ms. Pripeton.

 

view Pripeton order (PDF posted 12/27/07)*

 

December 21, 2007

Michael John Denney, P.O. Box 322, Marshall, VA 20116

VSB Docket No. 06-070-2853

On December 14, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Michael John Denney's license to practice law for three years. The board found that Mr. Denney violated Rules of Professional Conduct that govern dishonesty, diligence, communication with clients, and terminating representation. Mr. Denny also practiced law after his license was administratively suspended, failed to cooperate with the VSB investigation, and did not comply with other licensing requirements.

view Denney order (pdf posted 01/25/08)*

 

December 17, 2007

Stephanie Allette Pease, Stephanie A. Pease, P.C., 100 North Court Street, PO Box 645, Abingdon, VA 24212

VSB Docket Nos: 07-102-0608, 07-102-064917, and 07-102-070676

On December 14, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Tenth District Committee, Section II,  imposed a public reprimand with terms on Stephanie Allette Pease for violations of Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct that govern diligence and communication.  Ms. Pease's procedural errors caused three appeals to be dismissed without being considered on the merits.  Ms. Pease subsequently failed to notify each client that the appeal had been dismissed, the reasons for the dismissal, and any recourse the client might have to revive the appeal.  Ms. Pease must take six hours of continuing legal education courses in Virginia appellate practice.  This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Ms. Pease. 

view Pease determination (pdf posted 12/20/07)*

 

December 17, 2007

Robert Joseph Hill, P.O. Box 190, Fairfax, Virginia 22038

VSB Docket No. 08-000-073114

On December 13, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Robert Joseph Hill’s license to practice law in Virginia, on impairment grounds.

view Hill order (pdf posted 12/20/07)*

December 17, 2007

Andrew Ira Becker, Suite 200, 4164 Virginia Beach Boulevard

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

VSB Docket No. 06-021-4018

On November 16, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Andrew Ira Becker’s license to practice law for two years for violating Rules of Professional Conduct that govern competence, diligence, communication, safekeeping of client property, and terminating representation. Mr. Becker also failed to respond to a demand for information in the bar investigation. Mr. Becker’s license is currently suspended for misconduct in another matter. The new suspension will be consecutive to the current suspension and will begin on September 17, 2009. This is an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Becker.

 

December 14, 2007     **

Stephen Thomas Conrad, Stephen T. Conrad, Esq. P.C., 1986 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA 22191

VSB Docket Numbers: 07-053-2460, 08-053-071337, 08-053-072155, 08-053-072458, and 08-053-072767

On December 14, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Stephen Thomas Conrad’s license to practice law. Mr. Conrad consented to the revocation of his license after his law practice was placed in a receivership by the Prince William County Circuit Court. Mr. Conrad did not contest the bar’s allegations that he settled his clients’ personal injury claims and negotiated their settlement checks without the clients’ authority or knowledge, perpetuated the illusion that the clients’ cases were ongoing after they had been settled, failed to turn over settlement proceeds to his clients, altered documents, and lied to the clients and the Virginia State Bar about his actions.

view Conrad Affidavit Consenting to Revocation (pdf posted 12/21/07)*

**Conrad Receivership

On November 29, 2007, the Circuit Court for Prince William County appointed Richard S. Mendelson as receiver of Stephen Thomas Conrad's law practice.  Mr. Conrad's clients (or persons authorized in writing by his clients) may retrieve files at his former office, 1986 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191, during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

View Consent Order for the Appointment of a Receiver and Injunction (PDF posted 1/4/08)

 

December 12, 2007

Johnnie Eugene Mizelle, 528 West Washington Street, P.O. Box 374, Suffolk, VA 23434-0374

Suffolk Circuit Court Docket No. CL06-484

VSB Docket Nos. 05-010-2813 and 05-010-3969

On December 5, 2007, a three-judge panel of the Suffolk Circuit Court suspended Johnnie Eugene Mizelle’s license to practice law for five years, effective December 14, 2007. Mr. Mizelle violated a Virginia Rule of Professional Conduct that prohibits criminal or other deliberately wrongful acts that reflect adversely on honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness to practice law. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Mizelle.

 

view Mizelle order (pdf posted 01/25/08)*

 

Stanley David Schwartz, Suite 1109, 2001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202-3603

VSB Docket No. 08-000-072985   *

On November 26, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended Stanley David Schwartz’s license to practice law, based on a decision by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to exclude Mr. Schwartz from practicing patent, trademark, and other cases under the PTO’s jurisdiction. The Virginia board ordered Mr. Schwartz to appear on December 14, 2007, to show cause why his license should not be further suspended or revoked.

*On December 14, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board dismissed without prejudice the reciprocal proceeding against Mr. Schwartz.

 

November 21, 2007   *

Stanley David Schwartz, Suite 1109, 2001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3603

VSB Docket No. 08-000-072731

On November 16, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended Stanley David Schwartz's license to practice law, based on a felony conviction in Maryland for sexual abuse of a minor.  The board ordered Mr. Schwartz to appear on December 14, 2007, to show cause why his license should not be further suspended or revoked.

view Schwartz order (pdf posted 01/14/08)*

*On December 14, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Mr. Schwartz's license to practice law.

 

November 21, 2007   *

Robert Lorenzo Kline, III, 35 Franklin Boulevard, Reisterstown, MD  21136

VSB Docket No. 08-000-072725

On November 16, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended Robert Lorenzo Kline III’s license to practice law. The suspension was based on a decision by the Maryland Court of Appeals on September 25, 2007, to disbar Mr. Kline in that state. The board ordered Mr. Kline to appear on December 14, 2007, to show cause why his license should not be revoked in Virginia. Mr. Kline consented to the summary suspension.

view Kline order (pdf posted 01/25/08)*

*On December 14, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Mr. Kline's license to practice law, the same discipline imposed by the Court of Appeals of Maryland.

 

November 20, 2007

Stephen Thomas Conrad, 1986 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA 22191

VSB Docket Nos. 08-053-071695, 08-053-071778, 08-053-072155, 08-053-071337

On November 20, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board administratively suspended Stephen Thomas Conrad's license to practice law for failure to comply with a subpoena duces tecum.

 

November 20, 2007   *

Jerold Kay Nussbaum, 60 West Street, Suite 220, Annapolis, Maryland 21401-2434

VSB Docket No. 08-000-072701

On November 16, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended Jerold Kay Nussbaum’s license to practice law. The suspension was based on a decision of the Court of Appeals of Maryland to revoke Mr. Nussbaum’s license to practice law in that state. The board ordered Mr. Nussbaum to appear on December 14, 2007, to show cause why his license should not be revoked in Virginia.

*On December 14, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Mr. Nussbaum's license to practice law, the same discipline imposed by the Court of Appealappeals of Maryland.

 

November 20, 2007

Vincent Mark Amberly, 3717 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia 22204

VSB Docket No. 06-053-1488

On November 16, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board imposed an admonition with terms on Vincent Mark Amberly. Mr. Amberly violated ethical rules that govern dishonesty when he knowingly made false statements to a tribunal, to the Virginia State Bar in connection with a disciplinary matter, and to others. The board ordered him to take legal education courses in Virginia procedures and ethics.

view amended Amberly order (pdf posted 01/14/08)*

 

November 19, 2007

Edward Allen Malone, 2400 South Glebe Road, #816, Arlington, Virginia 22206

VSB Docket No. 07-041-071135

On November 15, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board administratively suspended Edward Allen Malone's license to practice law for failure to comply with a subpoena duces tecum.

view Malone order (pdf posted 12/20/07)*

 

November 16, 2007

Robert John Harris, Esquire, Stone Manor, 13193 Mountain Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180

VSB Docket Nos. 06-070-2740, 06-070-2930, and 06-070-2972

On November 2, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board imposed a public reprimand on Robert John Harris. The board found that Mr. Harris violated rules of professional conduct that govern diligence, communication, fees, safekeeping of property, declining or terminating representation, and dishonesty, and he failed to respond to a disciplinary matter. In imposing the sanction, the board took into account mitigating factors, including the fact that no clients were harmed by the misconduct. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Harris.

View Harris order (PDF posted 11/28/07)*

 

November 15, 2007

Henry Leigh Adkins Jr., 415 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

VSB Docket Nos: 06-080-3599, 06-080-4137, 07-080-0836,

07-080-1014, and 07-080-1195

On November 14, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Henry Leigh Adkins Jr.’s license to practice law. Mr. Adkins faced misconduct charges related to the abandonment of his law practice in March 2005 and failure to return unearned fees to several clients. Mr. Adkins has since refunded the unearned fees. Mr. Adkins agreed to the revocation.

view consent to revocation (PDF posted 11/16/07)

November 14, 2007

Joseph Mark Gregory, 3850 Gaskins Road, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23233

VSB Docket No.: 07-033-0379

On November 1, 2007, the Third District Committee, Section III, imposed a public reprimand with terms on Joseph Mark Gregory for failing to keep his client informed about the representation and for failing to return his client's original documents in a prompt and timely manner. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Gregory.

view determination (PDF posted 11/16/07)

 

November 5, 2007

John James McNally, John J. McNally, P.C., 1057 Manchester Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23508

VSB Docket No. 06-021-2517

On October 26, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended John James McNally’s license to practice law for fourteen days, effective December 15, 2007. Mr. McNally was found to have committed misconduct by ordering a stop-payment on a check issued to a prospective expert witness after the witness had delivered a copy of her report. This is an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. McNally.

view McNally order (PDF posted 12/27/07)*

 

November 5, 2007     *

Clarence Jordan Ball, III, The Rack Law Firm, P.C., 249 Central Park Avenue, Suite 220, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462

VSB Docket Nos. 05-021-1669 and 05-021-2766, Virginia Beach Circuit Court Case No. CL06-6854

On October 31, 2007, a three-judge court sitting in the Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach imposed an admonition on Clarence Jordan Ball III for violating the rule of professional conduct that governs safekeeping of property.

view Ball order (PDF posted 11/07/07)*

view Ball order (PDF posted 01/14/08)*

*On January 2, 2008, Mr. Ball filed an appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court.

 

October 26, 2007

Edward Allen Malone, 2400 South Glebe Road #816, Arlington, VA 222016

VSB Docket No. 07-041-1222

On October 26, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board administratively suspended Edward Allen Malone's license to practice law for failure to comply with a subpoena duces tecum.

 

October 26, 2007     *  ** ***

Bonar Mayo Robertson, P. O. Box 157, Glen Dale, MD 20769

VSB Docket No. 08-000-072344

On October 19, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended Bonar Mayo Robertson’s license to practice law. The suspension was based on a decision of the Court of Appeals of Maryland to indefinitely suspend Mr. Robertson’s license to practice law in that state. The board ordered Mr. Robertson to appear on November 16, 2007, to show cause why his license should not be indefinitely suspended in Virginia.

*On November 16, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board indefinitely suspended Mr. Robertson's license to practice law, the same discipline imposed by the Court of Appeals of Maryland.

view Robertson order (pdf posted 11/30/07)*

**On December 18, 2007, Mr. Robertson filed an appeal and requested a stay from the Virginia Supreme Court.

***On March 20, 2008, the Virginia Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.

 

October 23, 2007

Reuben Voll Greene, 1557 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219

VSB Docket Nos. 07-033-0066 and 07-033-0067

On October 18, 2007, the Virginia State Bar’s Third District Committee, Section III, imposed a public reprimand against Reuben Voll Greene for his failure to properly perfect criminal appeals in two separate cases. The committee found that he violated professional rules that govern diligence and communication. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Greene.

view Greene Determination (pdf posted 10/23/07)*

 

October 23, 2007

Henry St. John Fitzgerald, Suite 800, 2200 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201

VSB Docket No.: 06-041-1450

On October 17, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board imposed a public reprimand with terms on Henry St. John Fitzgerald arising out of his handling of an estate. Mr. Fitzgerald was reprimanded for delay in filing the required accounting with the Commissioner of Accounts, failing to timely disburse funds to the heir of the estate, and failing to respond to the Virginia State Bar. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Fitzgerald.

view Fitzgerald order (pdf posted 11/07/07)*

 

October 23, 2007

Peter Campbell Sackett, Peter C. Sackett, P.C., 714 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504

VSB Docket Nos. 07-090-2130 and 07-090-070324

On October 12, 2007, the Virginia State Bar’s Ninth District Committee imposed a public reprimand with terms on Peter Campbell Sackett for violating rules governing his attorney trust account.  Mr. Sackett caused several overdrafts, carried negative balances, failed to keep adequate account ledgers, and was several months behind in performing monthly reconciliations of the account.  The bar found no evidence that clients were harmed or that  Mr. Sackett was using his trust account for improper purposes. Under the terms of the discipline, he must hire a certified public accountant to review and monitor his trust account or face the possibility of further sanction by the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board.  This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Sackett.

view Sackett determination (pdf posted 10/23/07)*

 

October 2, 2007

Benjamin Thomas Reed, 4504 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23508

VSB Docket No. 06-021-2883 and 07-021-0047

On September 20, 2007, the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk dismissed charges of misconduct against Benjamin Thomas Reed for lack of clear and convincing evidence.

 

September 28, 2007

Thomas Marshall James, 700 East High Street, Charlottesville,  VA 22902

Virginia State Bar Docket Numbers: 07-070-1637, 07-070-1941, 07-070-2108, 07-070-2149, 07-070-2756, 07-070-2858, 07-070-070481, 07-070-070542, 07-070-070663, 07-070-070771, 07-070-070909, 070-07-070978, 07-070-071050, 07-070-071061, 08-070-071220, 08-070-071287, 08-070-071348, 08-070-071404, 08-070-071447, 06-070-0574, 06-070-1845, and 07-070-0455

On September 24, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended with terms Thomas Marshall James’s license to practice law for five years. The suspension is effective September 30, 2007. The board found that Mr. James had violated Rules of Professional Conduct that govern misconduct, safekeeping of client property, competence, diligence, communication with clients, the scope of representation, and fees. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. James.

view James opinion (pdf posted 10/23/07)*

 

September 11, 2007

 

Claude Michael Scialdone, Scialdone & Taylor, Inc., 2437 North Landing Road, P.O. Box 6116, Virginia Beach, VA 23456-6116

 

VSB Docket No. 08-000-071841

 

September 7, 2007     *

James Bryan Pattison, 727 North 6th Street, Sterling, KS 67579

VSB Docket No. 08-000-071973

On September 7, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended James Bryan Pattison's license to practice law.  The suspension was based on a decision of the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas to indefinitely suspend Mr. Pattison's license to practice law in that court.  The board ordered Mr. Pattison to appear on September 28, 2007, to show cause why his license should not be indefinitely suspended in Virginia.

view Pattison order (pdf posted 11/07/07)*

*On September 28, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Mr. Pattison's license indefinitely, the same discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas.

 

September 7, 2007     *

Victor Mba-Jonas, 8020 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 130, Adelphia, MD 20783

VSB Docket No. 08-000-071969

On September 7, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended Victor Mba-Jonas's license to practice law.  The suspension was based on a decision of the Court of Appeals of Maryland to indefinitely suspend Mr. Mba-Jonas's license to practice law.  The board ordered Mr. Mba-Jonas to appear on September 28, 2007, to show cause why his license should not be indefinitely suspended in Virginia.

view Mba-Jonas order (pdf posted 11/07/07)*

*On September 28, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Mr. Mba-Jonas's license indefinitely, the same discipline imposed by the Maryland Court of Appeals.

 

September 4, 2007

Simon Herbert Scott, III, 4012 Newport Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23508

VSB Docket Nos. 06-031-3876 and 07-031-0072

On August 29, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board imposed a public reprimand with terms on Simon Herbert Scott III. Mr. Scott, while in the active practice of law, failed to properly terminate his representation of a client in a divorce case, and did not timely file a transcript in a criminal appeal. Mr. Scott subsequently assumed associate status with the bar and took a nonlegal job. Under the term of the reprimand, he may return to active practice only if he undergoes a year’s supervision by another lawyer. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. Scott.

view Scott order (pdf posted 09/11/07)*

 

September 4, 2007

Thomas Marshall James, 700 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902

VSB Docket Nos. 06-070-3981 and 07-070-0013

On August 30, 2007, a three-judge panel of Charlottesville Circuit Court suspended Thomas Marshall James’s license to practice law for three months, effective September 1, 2007. Mr. James violated Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct that govern misconduct and safekeeping of client property. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges against Mr. James.

view James order (pdf posted 09/21/07)*

 

August 31, 2007

Ellen Frances Ericsson

Ericsson Law Office, 58200 Peach Road, South Bend, IN 46619

           On August 21, 2007, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Ellen Frances Ericsson’s license to practice law.  Ms. Ericsson closed her law practice in May 2006 but maintained client files at an off-site storage facility.  In January 2007 the cabinets containing client files were publicly auctioned due to Ms. Ericsson’s failure to pay rent for the storage unit.  The failure to pay rent and the subsequent auction constituted abandonment of client files and failure to protect private and confidential client information. Ms. Ericsson consented to the revocation.

view Ericsson Consent to Revocation (pdf posted 09/11/07)*

Disciplinary Actions January 2002 - June 2002

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