| Attorney ID |
35665 |
| Attorney Name |
Sye-Payne, Vivian A. |
| DBP Docket No. |
142 DB 2004 |
| Supreme Court Docket No. |
1130 DD No. 3 |
| County |
Philadelphia |
| Disciplinary Counsel |
Harriet R. Brumberg |
| Counsel for Respondent |
Samuel C. Stretton |
| Decision Date |
2006-04-17 |
| Effective Date |
0000-00-00 |
| Case Digest |
During a two year time frame, in four client matters, attorney failed to: act with reasonable diligence; communicate; attend scheduled hearings; and return unearned fees. There were substantial aggravating factors: prior record of private discipline; failure to show remorse; lack of candor to the hearing committee; poor office management; blaming others for her wrongdoing; open liens and judgments; and failure to refund unearned fee. Mitigating factors included health problems and good character witnesses. |
| Rule Violation(s) |
RPC: 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.4(b); 1.15(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(a)(2); and 1.16(d) |
| Discipline Imposed |
Suspension for one year and one day |
| Points of Law |
• Respondent cannot attribute her poor performance to her poor health.
• Precedent establishes that attorneys who engage in multiple acts of client neglect and who have a prior record of discipline are candidates for suspension of one year and one day.
• Respondent must be able to manage her case load and law office properly if she wishes to avoid future disciplinary actions.
|
| Report/Opinion |
Download |
