2021-01-27 23:14:40
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARIES
The following are summaries of disciplinary actions for violations of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) or another of the Supreme Court Rules.
Copies of disciplinary orders are available at the link provided with each summary or by contacting the Virginia State Bar Clerk’s Office at (804) 775-0539 or clerk@vsb.org. VSB docket numbers are provided.
CIRCUIT COURT
Stephen A. Strickler Virginia Beach, VA 23452 17-022-108407
By Order entered October 21, 2020, a three-judge panel sitting in the Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach suspended Stephen A. Strickler’s license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia for a period of six months effective November 27, 2020, for two violations of professional rules that govern conflicts of interest. http://www.vsb.org/docs/Strickler-123020.pdf
DISCIPLINARY BOARD
OlaDipo Akinwunmi AkinDeko Springfield, VA 22150 21-000-120620
Effective December 11, 2020, pursuant to the Rules of the Supreme Court, Part Six, Section IV, Paragraph 13-24, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board issued an indefinite suspension of Oladipo Akinwunmi AkinDeko’s license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia based on his indefinite suspension by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on December 11, 2019. http://www.vsb.org/docs/AkinDeko-122120.pdf
William Franklin Burton Chevy Chase, MD 20815 21-000-121116
Effective November 12, 2020, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked William Franklin Burton’s license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This was an agreed disposition for a reciprocal revocation, based on his October 13, 2020, disbarment from the practice of law by the Court of Appeals of Maryland. http://www.vsb.org/docs/Burton-111320.pdf
Gordon Bradford Jones Falls Church, VA 22042 20-000-118987
Effective July 6, 2020, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Gordon Bradford Jones’ license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia for one year, with terms. The suspension was based on his conviction of a Crime in Hanover County. This matter came before the Board as an accepted Agreed Disposition pursuant to Rules of Court Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 13-6.H of a Rule to Show Cause issued pursuant to Rules of Court Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 13-22. http://www.vsb.org/docs/Jones-120320.pdf
Michael Denis Kmetz, Esq Virginia Beach, VA 23467 19-022-115796
By Order entered Dec. 11, 2020, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Michael Denis Kmetz’s license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia for two years effective Oct. 24, 2022, for misconduct regarding his duties of competence, diligence, and communication. This suspension will run consecutively to a two-year suspension that was effective on Oct. 23, 2020, and was imposed in VSB Docket No. 19-000-116040, for a violation of terms set forth in a previous case (VSB Docket No. 18-022-109905). http://www.vsb.org/docs/Kmetz-122920.pdf
Bruce Howard Matson Richmond, VA 23229 20-033-117567
Effective November 16, 2020, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Bruce Howard Matson’s license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia based on his affidavit consenting to the revocation. By tendering his consent to revocation at a time when allegations of misconduct are pending, Matson acknowledges that the material facts upon which the allegations of misconduct are predicated are true. http://www.vsb.org/docs/Matson-111720.pdf
Jacob Leon Parrott Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 21-000-120967
Effective November 19, 2020, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Jacob Leon Parrott’s license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This was an agreed disposition for a reciprocal revocation, based on his August 12, 2020, disbarment from the practice of law by the Supreme Court of South Carolina. http://www.vsb.org/docs/Parrott-111920.pdf
Kurt Joseph Pomrenke Abingdon, VA 24210 21-000-121199
Effective December 28, 2020, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Kurt Joseph Pomrenke’s license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia based on his affidavit consenting to revocation. By tendering his consent to revocation at a time when allegations of misconduct are pending, Pomrenke acknowledges that the material facts upon which the allegations of misconduct are pending are true. http://www.vsb.org/docs/Pomrenke-122820.pdf
DISTRICT COMMITTEES
Paul Joseph Bohnet Virginia Beach, VA 23452 20-021-118602
Effective January 12, 2021, the Second District, Section I Subcommittee of the Virginia State Bar issued a public reprimand with terms to Paul Joseph Bohnet for violating professional rules that govern diligence, communication, fairness to opposing party and counsel, and Bar admission and disciplinary matters. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges. http://www.vsb.org/docs/Bohnet-011221.pdf
Sam Goldstein Washington, D.C. 20001 20-052-118130
Effective December 7, 2020, the Fifth District, Section II Subcommittee of the Virginia State Bar issued a public reprimand without terms to Sam Goldstein for violating professional rules that govern unauthorized practice of law; multijuris-dictional law. This was an agreed disposition of misconduct charges. http://www.vsb.org/docs/Goldstein-120820.pdf
NOTICES TO LAWYERS
Supreme Court of Virginia Issues Sixteenth Judicial Emergency Order
On January 19, the Supreme Court of Virginia issued it sixteenth judicial emergency order in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The unanimous order, extends the period of judicial emergency until February 14, 2021.www.vsb.org/site/news/item/scv_16th_judicial_emergency
Court of Appeals of Virginia Issues Fourth COVID-19 Order
On November 23, 2020, the Court of Appeals of Virginia issued a Fourth Order extending its August 31, 2020 Third Order until at least April 30, 2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/CAV_fourth_covid_order
Supreme Court of Virginia Amends Part 1 Rules Clarifying Usage of “Shall”
On November 23, 2020, the Supreme Court of Virginia issued an Order amending its Rules to clarify the meaning of the word “shall” which formerly appeared in the Rules. The clarifications do not change existing law and the Order excludes Parts 2, 3B, 3C, 3D, 6, and the Medical Malpractice Rules of Practice. The amendments become effective March 1, 2021. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/scv_usage_of_shall_2
Supreme Court of Virginia Seeks Comment on Admission of Military Spouses
The Supreme Court of Virginia is seeking public comment on the provisional admittance of dependent spouses of active duty service members to the practice of law in the Commonwealth without examination.The amendments would effect Rule 1A:8, Military Spouse Provisional Admission. Comments due by February 22, 2021. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/SCV_comments_military_spouses
SCV Seeks Med Mal Review Volunteers
The Supreme Court of Virginia has asked the Virginia State Bar to provide an updated list of lawyers willing to serve on Medical Malpractice Review Panels (MMRPs). Attorneys who are interested in serving should submit a letter of interest and a resume to: Karen A. Gould, Executive Director, Virginia State Bar at mmrp@vsb.org on or before May 28, 2021. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/scv_seeks_med_mal_review
Supreme Court approved amendments to Rule 1.17, Rule 1.18, Rule 5.5, and Paragraph 13
On December 23, 2020, the Supreme Court of Virginia approved several amendments. The Supreme Court of Virginia approved amendments to Rule 1.17, Rule 1.18, and Rule 5.5. Effective immediately. The Court also approved amendments to the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia Part 6 Section IV, Paragraph 13-6.D. Effective February 22, 2021. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/amendments_rule1.17_1.18_5.5_para13
Supreme Court of Virginia Approves LEO 1890 and Amends Rule 4.2, Comment [7]
On January 6, 2021, the Supreme Court of Virginia made amendments to the Rules of Court - Part Six, Section II, Rule 4.2, Comment [7]. The Court also approved amendments to LEO 1890, concerning communications with represented persons. The changes are effective immediately. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/SCV_approves_leo_1890_after_vsb_revision
Supreme Court of Virginia Approves LEO 1850 and Amends Rules
On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the Supreme Court of Virginia amended a number of rules and a form to be effective immediately, and approved LEO 1850 regarding ethical issues when a lawyer considers outsourcing legal or non-legal support services to lawyers or paralegals, also to be effective immediately. https://www.vsb.org/site/news/item/SCV_approves_leo_1850_and_amends_rules
President-elect Myerson Seeks Applicants for VSB Committees
Jay B. Myerson, president-elect of the VSB, seeks active and in-good-standing Virginia lawyers willing to serve on special and standing committees in 2021. If you would like to be considered for appointment, please complete the committee preference form and return it with a brief résumé by February 19, 2021. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/president_elect_committees_2021
VSB Proposes Changes to Bylaws Governing Election of the President-elect
The Virginia State Bar is seeking VSB Council authorization to modify Paragraph 4 of the Rules of Court and the Bylaws governing the VSB to better conform with modern voting practices. Inspection and comment due by February 12, 2021. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/election_of_the_president_elect
Lawyers Are in Phase 1c of COVID Vaccine Schedule
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has placed those who work in the legal system in Phase 1c of the COVID-19 vaccination schedule. Lawyers are included in Phase 1c because they “...support ongoing critical infrastructure operations” according to the CDC recommendations. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/lawyers_are_phase_1c_of_covid_vaccine_schedule
Join the Disciplinary System
The Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline seeks active, in-good-standing lawyers and non-lawyers to apply for disciplinary district committee vacancies. Applications in the form of a résumé and short statement of interest are due February 28, 2021. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/first_line_of_defense_2021
Get on the Ballot for Bar Council Elections
Bar Council, the Virginia State Bar’s governing body, will hold its annual elections by electronic ballot in April 2021 for terms beginning July 1. Virginia lawyers who wish to be on the ballot must be active members in good standing of their circuit as of March 15, 2021. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/bar_council_elections
Nominating Committee: Board and Committee Vacancies
Virginia lawyers – active and in good standing – are needed to serve on Virginia State Bar boards and committees beginning this year. The chosen applicants will oversee the Clients’ Protection Fund and the Bar’s judicial candidate evaluations, interviewing candidates for vacancies on the bench. The Bar also seeks Bar Council members interested in serving on the Executive Committee. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/nominating_committee_vacancies
Statement of Virginia State Bar President Brian L. Buniva
On January 7, VSB President Brian Buniva issued a statement on the events of Jan. 6 at the U.S. capitol. www.vsb.org/site/news/item/buniva_statement_Jan7
Anyone can join, it’s free, and takes only about two minutes. Demonstrate your support for the Diversity Conference by becoming a member today. www.vsb.org/site/conferences/diversity
Published by Virginia State Bar. View All Articles.
This page can be found at http://virginialawyer.vsb.org/article/Virginia+Lawyer+Register/3863402/690953/article.html.