Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Delaware Supreme Court reprimands attorney for attempting to avoid family court appointments
June 26, 2012
Dover, Delaware: The Delaware Supreme Court has reprimanded a solo practitioner of business law for attempting to avoid mandatory appointments to handle family court matters.[1]
A panel of the state's Board on Professional Responsibility issued a Report of Recommendation of Sanction, finding that Murray's attempts to avoid appointments by the family court and his efforts to be excused from such appointments violated the Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct. The Supreme Court approved the report and issued a public reprimand of Murray.[2]
Murray argued that he had the responsibility to inform clients and the court that he did not have experience in family court matters, but the Board replied that it is traditional for lawyers to take on such cases even if they are outside the lawyer's usual area of practice. Attorneys also have the option of seeking help from a more experienced lawyer in their firm or paying another lawyer to take on the case.[1]
Murray was also reprimanded for the tone of his communications to the court, which the report described as "disruptive to the tribunal, and . . . undiginified and discourteous." Murray apologized for his tone, but the report termed this a "nominal apology."[1]
See also
Footnotes
| |||||
