Student Name: Kara Lansberry
On May 3, 2012 Stephen M. Johnson was
reprimand and placed on probation for two years. Mr. Johnson was also
practicing law in Arizona. While practicing
law in Arizona he failed to communicate with his client regarding a criminal
post-conviction relief matter for six months. Mr. Johnson was preparing for and
conducting a capital jury trial.
Mr. Johnson violated the Arizona Rules
of Professional Conduct 1.2 Scope of representation, 1.3 Diligence, 1.4
Communication, 1.16(a) Failure to withdraw and 8.4(d) Conduct Prejudicial to
Administration of Justice. Mr.
Johnson was ordered to pay a fine of $1,200 in
costs to the Arizona State Bar. He also was to comply with all the provisions
of Rule 72, Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona, including, but not limited
to, Rule 72(a), which requires that Respondent notify all of his clients,
within ten(10) days of the notice, of his inability to represent them and that
he should promptly inform this Court of his compliance with this Order as
provided in Rule 72(e).
Since Mr. Johnson was also practicing
in Idaho, the Idaho State Bar took on the same punishment that the Arizona
State Bar did. The Idaho State Bar also
put Mr. Johnson on the same punishment as Arizona did. They wanted to make sure
that he complied with all the same rules and regulations that Arizona put him
on. Mr. John will be on probation through July 29, 2013 then he will be able to
start practicing law again after said date.
After reading this case I have learned that
being an organized attorney and having all of the correct paper work filed is
the key to a successful practice. Many attorneys are very busy and need to keep
good track of their time and billing. It is also very important to have a staff
that keeps the correct timelines and will return phone calls and keep up with
the clients and the claims that need to be filed.
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