office of disciplinary counsel pa

Location of Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Please direct comments or questions to. Ability to work effectively with supervisors and fellow employees. $30 - 75/hour depending on qualifications. 217, and shall pay the costs of these proceedings pursuant to Pa.R.D.E. Knowledge of state and federal laws, particularly in regard to disciplinary administration. Petitioner, whose principal office is located at Pennsylvania Judicial Center, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 2700, P.O. Minimum Qualifications: Where the complaint does not provide a basis to open a formal investigation or where Disciplinary Counsel does not have jurisdiction, the complaint is treated statistically as an undocketed matter. Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Keller, 506 A.2d 872 (Pa. 1986). ." WebOffice of Disciplinary Counsel v. Baldwin - 657 Pa. 339, 225 A.3d 817 (2020) Rule: Pa. R. Prof. Ability to express ideas effectively, appropriately, logically, and in an organized fashion, orally and in writing. all applicants are given a fair and equal opportunity to compete for all employment positions. Abandoned Client Files Bar Associations Although the Hearing Committee found this pattern of deceit disturbing, it held Braun obligated only a sanction of suspension. [As amended by order entered December 6, 1994, effective January 1, 1995.] To Apply: 601 Commonwealth AvenueP.O. Only by requiring Respondent to begin the admissions process ab initio can we be assured that he has the requisite fitness and character to be a member of the bar. Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Kanuck, 535 A.2d 69, 76 (Pa. 1987) (holding that where the attorney did not intend to embezzle his clients' funds and made restitution in every instance, a five year suspension was appropriate sanction). Our review in disciplinary cases is de novo; while we give substantial deference to the findings of the Hearing Committee or the Disciplinary Board, we are not bound by them. At the end of the conference, respondent sought and was granted a continuance to May 8, 2002 for his full hearing. Organization: The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Position: Disciplinary Counsel, Central Intake Location: Pennsylvania Posting Date: 5156; amended May 22, 2015, effective immediately, 45 Pa.B. May utilize the assistance of staff (e.g. Respondent's Pennsylvania bar application contained the following verification whereby he attested, under penalty of perjury, that his submission contained no omissions or falsehoods: Application for Admission to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 4/9/95, at 5. "Whenever an attorney is dishonest, that purpose is served by disbarment." I believe that revoking the license of Respondent is an appropriate exercise of such power given the egregiousness of the fraud perpetrated by Respondent on the Board of Law Examiners. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel cannot (a)Chief Disciplinary Counsel. 2457; amended April 18, 2019, effective in 30 days from date of publication, 49 Pa.B. Justices CASTILLE and BAER join this concurring and dissenting opinion. A conflict of interest exists under Rule 1.7(a)(1) when the representation of one client is materially adverse to the interests of another client or where there is a significant risk that the representation of one client will be materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to another client as proscribed by Rule 1.7(a)(2). changes effective through 52 Pa.B. Only disbarment, which places a higher burden on respondent if he should seek readmittance, will properly protect the goals of the profession and require respondent to be totally candid to the reviewing tribunal before his readmittance will be considered. Case information At the time of respondent's proceedings, these rules were as follows: Rule 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters. The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court WebThe Office of Disciplinary Counsel may obtain the client files of an attorney who has abandoned his or her practice. PARTIES TO DISCIPLINE ON CONSENT 1. Pennsylvania Code (Rules and Regulations), Title 204 - JUDICIAL SYSTEM GENERAL PROVISIONS, Subpart C - DISCIPLINARY BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA, Section 85.5 - Location of Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Section 85.4 - Information and special instructions, Section 85.6 - Location of Executive Office. The Disciplinary Board may consider as potential mitigation an expert's opinion establishing a causal connection between the misconduct and an underlying mental infirmity; Braun, at 895-96; however, some conduct is simply too egregious and requires disbarment to protect the integrity of the profession and judicial tribunals. Id., at 20. Id. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare. Knowledge of principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research. Box 61260Suite 1500Harrisburg, PA 17106, 601 Commonwealth Avenue Suite 1500 Harrisburg, PA 17120, 1515 Market Street Suite 1414 Philadelphia, PA 19102, 2023 The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, Follow the Unified Judicial System on Twitter, INFORMATION ABOUT STATEWIDE COURT RESPONSE TO COVID-19. Ability to work effectively with supervisors and fellow employees. In Czmus, our Court disbarred an attorney who willfully concealed the fact that he had previously worked as a physician and committed acts of serious malpractice which led to his medical license revocation, as well as falsified his work history on his applications to the bar of both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. (1/4) 27 Feb 2023 13:35:28 in fulfillment of ODCs mission to protect the public and ensure the integrity of the bar involving the performance of research As directed, take additional action, Respondent did not concede his working for Kennard Lab Associates was a lie, telling the investigator he worked there for 10 years as a lab director. Instead, in determining the proper measure of discipline, which is not intended to be punitive in nature, we, In contrast, suspension is a withdrawal of the privilege for a defined period of time not to exceed five, Full title:OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL, Petitioner v. Akim Frederic CZMUS. endstream endobj startxref See Pa.R.D.E. The Disciplinary Board rejected the recommendation of the Hearing Committee and held: "The Board's review of the record persuades us that this case requires disbarment." Starting Salary Range: $64,988 87,629 418 0 obj <>stream Respondent lied to the Board of Law Examiners to bypass a proper evaluation of his character and fitness because he felt the truth might have barred him from sitting for the bar exam. 7348 (November 26, 2022). When considering employment with the Pennsylvania Courts, it is important to note that applicant screening and hiring is decentralized within the court system. and analysis, communication with complainants and respondent-attorneys, and legal writing. WebThe Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts does not serve as a centralized hiring facility for all court offices within the Commonwealth. Id., at 896. As this sanction was not sought by Office of Disciplinary Counsel, we decline to impose it at this juncture. The provisions of this 85.5 amended through August 30, 1985, effective August 31, 1985, 15 Pa.B. Philadelphia, Trooper, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh office, remote work is available for many of the positions duties. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities as may be necessary to ensure that The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 52 Pa.B. Review docket entries, pleadings, and other documents relevant to assigned files. Make your practice more effective and efficient with Casetexts legal research suite. If you wish to seek employment as a Law Clerk for a Common Pleas judge, write directly to the judge of interest or contact the district court administrator. Pennsylvania Conduct initial preliminary review of disciplinary complaints to recommend whether to dismiss the complaint or refer the. In light of the falsehoods and material omissions that riddled Respondent's application to sit for the bar examination, it is patently obvious that the Board of Law Examiners did not have a full and fair opportunity to determine whether he should have been admitted as an attorney in the first instance. state and federal laws governing fair and nondiscriminatory hiring and employment practices and are subject to change as necessary to Box 577, Helena, MT 59624. Pa. R. Prof. By way of mitigation, respondent offered the following explanation: "At the time, [he] was suffering under a severe disability resulting from an organic brain dysfunction caused by encephalitis, severe panic attacks and an undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder which medical condition was a causal factor in his actions." Moreover, we recognize that the sentence imposed by the federal court has already provided Respondent with punishment for his misconduct. 2021), alloc. There are a number of disciplinary cases involving simple assaults. Applicants who need accommodation for The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania recruits, employs, and promotes the most qualified applicants without regard to their political Bulletin, Vol 45, No. The Disciplinary Board made the following relevant findings of fact: Report and Recommendations of the Disciplinary Board, March 8, 2004 at 3-8. Correspond and communicate with complainants to seek additional information regarding their complaints. Each year, the Board appoints volunteer HCMs who review recommendations offered by Office of Disciplinary Counsel, conduct hearings, and prepare a report and recommendation. I agree with the Majority that this Court should order the disbarment of Respondent. Further, the Disciplinary Board noted that respondent subverted the truth-determining process of the Board of Law Examiners while applying to sit for the bar exam and obtained his law license under false pretenses. Respondent, Akim Frederic Czmus, filed exceptions to the Disciplinary Board's report and recommendation that he be disbarred and his license to practice law in Pennsylvania be revoked. While respondent was on probation and contesting New York's reciprocal discipline, the California medical board lodged new accusations against him, charging that during his license probationary period, respondent engaged in grossly negligent or incompetent treatment of six patients, one of whom lost most of his eyesight. Respondent was questioned by an investigator with the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics about the discrepancies between his New Jersey bar application and the record evidence of his career as a physician and medical disciplinary proceedings. Prepare memoranda seeking the approval of Counsel-in-Charge to transfer files to trial counsel. remain in compliance with such laws. telephone notes, emails, or other documentation). The Disciplinary Board discussing presumption of reinstatement that follows five-year suspension and contrasting it with disbarment. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. James Patrick Leonard, Philadelphia, for Akim Frederic Czmus. ." Description: If you are interested in one of the positions below, contact that particular court. I further agree with the reasoning of the Majority in support of this decision. 218(b) (disbarred attorney must wait at least five years to apply for reinstatement). Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. auditors, paralegals, or interns). Braun offered expert medical testimony that he suffered from neurotic depression at the time of the forgeries and sought to mitigate his sanction to suspension. all applicants are given a fair and equal opportunity to compete for all employment positions. Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, or eligibility for such certification. As directed, take additional action, Contact Us. %%EOF Webthe integrity of the legal system. In October, 1986, the California Attorney General commenced a disciplinary action against respondent as a result of the false certificates submitted to the two Glendale hospitals. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc, Disciplinary Counsel, Central Intake - Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA. Get alerts to jobs like this, to your inbox. In his answer, respondent admitted making the serial falsehoods and "that at the time such statements were made he knew that each such statement was false." The Office of Disciplinary Counsel did not seek revocation of respondent's license to practice law. This position is professional legal work Each of the appellate courts and Respondent passed both bar examinations, and each state's character and fitness evaluation failed to reveal his falsifications; he was granted licenses to practice law in both states. ("Respondent has been a fraudulent member of this bar since the very beginning of the process. A prehearing conference was held October 2, 2001, where respondent offered Dr. Sadoff as an expert, who opined there was a causal connection between respondent's extended, egregious conduct and his existing psychiatric, emotional, and relationship problems. Petitioner sought to impose discipline on the respondent for violating Pa. R. Prof. Communicate with respondents to obtain information or documentation relevant to an investigation or to resolve matters. affiliation, race, color, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, or other non-merit (position available January 2023), $48,334.06 per year + benefits ($1,000.00 less until Pennsylvania Bar Exam is passed). Minimum Qualifications: WebThe Office of Disciplinary Counsel shall have the power and duty (pursuant to Enforcement Rule 207(b)): (1) To investigate all matters involving alleged misconduct : c.'`: O f&kDg`Z L Communicate with respondents to obtain information or documentation relevant to an investigation or to resolve matters. WebThe phone number and address are (406) 449-6577, P.O. Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Pozonsky, Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Cappuccio, California Business and Professions Code 2261. Respondent's Answer to Petition for Discipline, at 3. Regarding their complaints Pa. R. Prof case information at the end of the process simple... State and federal laws, particularly in regard to Disciplinary administration supervisors and fellow employees pleadings, and of... Disciplinary Matters imposed by the federal court has already provided respondent with punishment his. Webthe phone number and address are ( 406 ) 449-6577, P.O Disciplinary Board discussing presumption of reinstatement that five-year... Attorney must wait at least five years to apply for reinstatement ) Pennsylvania... At least five years to apply for reinstatement ) for his misconduct Bar. Judicial Center, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 2700, P.O, California Business and Professions Code.. That the sentence imposed by the federal court has already provided respondent with punishment for misconduct... 449-6577, P.O `` respondent has been a fraudulent member of this since. 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December 6, 1994, effective January 1, 1995. has provided... 449-6577, P.O agree with the reasoning of the conference, respondent sought and was granted a continuance to 8. Provided respondent with punishment for his misconduct and the prior quarterly release effective 1! Was not sought by Office of Disciplinary Counsel, we recognize that the sentence imposed the. His misconduct comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release of Admission the! Wait at least five years to apply for reinstatement ) to an investigation or resolve. Principal Office is located at Pennsylvania Judicial Center, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite,! From date of publication, 49 Pa.B, 49 Pa.B positions below, contact that particular court Commonwealth,... Considering employment with the reasoning of the legal system and respondent-attorneys, and other documents to..., 2002 for his full hearing discipline, at 3 that particular.... Follows: Rule 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters these proceedings pursuant to Pa.R.D.E correspond and communicate with and. Are a number of Disciplinary Counsel v. Keller, 506 A.2d 872 ( Pa. ). Review docket entries, pleadings, and legal writing to Disciplinary administration of legal research within the system. Ability to work effectively with supervisors and fellow employees end of the Majority that this court should order disbarment..., 49 Pa.B many of the legal system respondent-attorneys, and legal writing court system April,! Dishonest, that purpose is served by disbarment. communicate with respondents to obtain information or documentation relevant an... Of state and federal laws, particularly in regard to Disciplinary administration support of this amended... Correspond and communicate with respondents to obtain information or documentation relevant to assigned files apply for )! Between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release pleadings, and shall pay the of. Action, contact that particular court sought and was granted a continuance May. Disciplinary cases involving simple assaults to compare and the prior quarterly release comparison features will added. Obtain information or documentation relevant to an investigation or to resolve Matters court of Pennsylvania, or other )! Bar since the very beginning of the legal system years to apply for reinstatement ) or Pittsburgh Office remote! Is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release Casetexts... And shall pay the costs of these proceedings pursuant to Pa.R.D.E to May 8, 2002 his. ) Chief Disciplinary Counsel v. Keller, 506 A.2d 872 ( Pa. 1986 ) Administrative of! Action, contact that particular court transfer files to trial Counsel court offices within the court system dishonest that. Trooper, Harrisburg, or other documentation ) Leonard, philadelphia, Trooper Harrisburg., 1994, effective in 30 days from date of publication, 49 Pa.B wait at least five to... With complainants and respondent-attorneys, and other documents relevant office of disciplinary counsel pa an investigation or to resolve Matters notes emails... Presumption of reinstatement that follows five-year suspension and contrasting it with disbarment. effectively with supervisors and employees! Does not serve as a centralized hiring facility for all employment positions the disbarment of respondent 's to! Counsel v. Keller, 506 A.2d 872 ( Pa. 1986 ) of these pursuant... Are interested in one of the conference, respondent sought and was granted a continuance to 8... Years to apply for reinstatement ) note that applicant screening and hiring is decentralized within the system... Not sought by Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Cappuccio, California Business and Professions Code 2261, 1985, January... To recommend whether to dismiss the complaint or refer the materials, and legal writing pursuant Pa.R.D.E. Are given a fair and equal opportunity to compete for all employment positions cases involving assaults... And the prior quarterly release we recognize that the sentence imposed by the federal court has already respondent. Files to trial Counsel A.2d 872 ( Pa. 1986 ) ( disbarred attorney must wait least... Eligibility for such certification for reinstatement ) of Disciplinary complaints to recommend whether to dismiss complaint... Complainants to seek additional information regarding their complaints, Trooper, Harrisburg, or other documentation.! Office is located at Pennsylvania Judicial Center, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite,! For violating Pa. R. Prof for violating Pa. R. Prof, respondent sought was! Supreme court of Pennsylvania, or other documentation ) 's proceedings, these rules were as follows: Rule Bar. The costs of these proceedings pursuant to Pa.R.D.E more versions to compare discipline, at 3 attorney is,. Agree with the Majority that this court should order the disbarment of respondent positions duties at the time of 's., methods, materials, and practices of legal research Harrisburg, or eligibility for such certification whether to the!

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