Summary: Attorney William F. Raynolds, II, has been disbarred on charges of embezzlement of client funds and failure to respond to bar disciplinary proceedings.
Legal Issues: The Oklahoma Supreme Court is directly responsible for the accreditation of attorneys in the state of Oklahoma. This is accomplished through the Oklahoma Bar Association and its enforcement of the Oklahoma Rules for Professional Conduct for Attorneys ("ORPC"). If an attorney is alleged to have violated the ORPC, the Oklahoma Bar Association investigates as outlined in the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings ("RGDP").
Because the change of status of an attorney from 'good standing' to 'disbarred' is of public significance, all attorney licensure matters are published, regardless of whether a novel legal question is involved.
As one would expect, an attorney is required to be honest in his dealings and not to embezzle client funds. ORPC 1.8 and 1.15. Attorneys are also required to make a timely response to the bar association if charged with misconduct. RGDP 6.4. By failing to make a response to the allegations, the accusations are deemed to be admitted by Raynolds.
With the legal equivalent of an admission to embezzlement of client funds before it, the Oklahoma Supreme Court immediately disbarred Raynolds. Raynolds may seek readmission to the bar after five years.
Discussion: The legal profession requires its practitioners to be honest in their dealings with their clients. Failure to do so necessarily results in removal from the bar.
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