8/3/2019 Bar Counsel Report: December 2010

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42 Nevada Lawyer December 2010

December 2010

SUPREME COURT OF NEVADA

In re: Phyllis Joann Bryan

Bar No.: 7290

Docket No.: 56648

Filed: October 6, 2010

ORDER IMPOSING RECIPROCAL DISCIPLINE

AND DISBARRING ATTORNEY

Reciprocal discipline imposed following discipline from theCalifornia State Bar.

ThisisapetitionunderSCR114toreciprocallydisciplineattorneyPhyllisJoannBryan,basedondisciplineimposeduponher in California. Bryan did not le a response to the petition.

BryansunderlyingCaliforniadisciplinarymatterconsistedoffailuretocomplywiththeconditionsofaprevioussuspensionorder.BryandefaultedintheCaliforniadisciplinaryproceedingsandwasfoundtohavecommittedmisconductforwillfullyfailingtocomplywithCaliforniaRuleofCourt9.20aspreviouslyorderedbytheCaliforniaSupremeCourt. 1

Thereafter,theCaliforniaSupremeCourtorderedBryandisbarredfromthepracticeoflaw.ShewasalsoorderedtocomplywithCaliforniaCourtRule9.20andtopaycostsoftheproceedings.

BryanfailedtoinformbarcounselofthedisciplineasrequiredbySCR114(1).

SCR114(4)providesthatthiscourtshallimposeidenticalreciprocaldisciplineunlesstheattorneydemonstrates,orthiscourt nds, that one of four exceptions applies. None of the

exceptionsispresentinthiscase.Accordingly,wegrantthepetitionforreciprocaldiscipline.AttorneyPhyllisJoannBryanisherebydisbarredfromthepracticeoflawinthisstate. 2Bryanandthestatebarshallcomply

withSCR115andSCR121.1.

RESIGNATIONS(VOLUNTARY,NO DISCIPLINEPENDING)

S.C.R. 98(5)(a) StateS:Any member of the state bar who is not actively

engaged in the practice of law in this state, upon writtenapplication on a form approved by the state bar, mayresign from membership in the state bar if the member:

(1) has no discipline, fee dispute arbitration, or clientssecurity fund matters pending and (2) is current onall membership fee payments and other nancialcommitments relating to the members practice of lawin Nevada. Such resignation shall become effectivewhen led with the state bar, accepted by the board ofgovernors, and approved by the supreme court.

ThefollowingmemberresignedpursuanttothisRule:Roy L. FarrowBarNo.4015 CaseNo.57042

Filed11/2/10

SOUTHERN NEVADA

DISCIPLINARY BOARD

LETTER OF REPRIMAND

File No.: 09-223-2070

Letter of Reprimand imposed for failure to communicate andsupervise non-lawyer assistants.

ClientpurchasedacabinonMt.Charleston,Nevada.Uponmovingintothecabinhediscoveredthatthecabinwaspartiallybuiltontheneighborslot.OnJuly13,2006,ClientretainedAttorneytoassistwithobtainingapprovalforaneasementonhiscabinonMt.Charleston.HepaidAttorneyaretainerfeeandwasbilledeachmonththereafterforhisservices.

OnNovember2,2006,Attorneywassuccessfulingetting

theeasementrecorded.Thereafter,ClientrequestedthatAttorneyprepareandsendademandlettertothesellerpriortothe ling of a civil action to recover damages, which Attorneysofce did in May 2007. After gathering additional documentationandreceivingnoresponsetotheletter,adraftcomplaintforClientscasewaspreparedinoraroundJanuary2008.

Although Attorney believed that a complaint had been led,in fact the le sat in an associates ofce for many months. In theearlypartof2009,AttorneymistakenlyinformedClientthatthecomplaint had been led, there had been no response, and thatAttorneywaswaitingforadefaultjudgmenttobeentered.

ClientbeganhisownresearchontheInternetviaBlackstonetokeepapprisedofthependingstatusonhismatter.His research revealed no civil suit had been led in Clark CountyandthatAttorneysstatementstohimaboutthesuitwerefalse.

While Attorney believed Attorneys staff had led and served thecomplaint, Attorney failed to personally review the le or conrmthestatusofthelawsuitduringthetimeitlaydormant.ApparentlywhenAttorneyaskedhisstaffforupdatesontheClientcasetheybelievedAttorneywasreferringtoanothercaseforwhichtheyhadbeenawaitingadefaultjudgmentformanymonths.

Attorney ultimately led the civil suit on Clients behalf onOctober 22, 2009. Defendants led their answer on March 10,2010. The matter is ongoing and Client is presently satised withAttorneyshandlingandcommunicationinthismatter.

ThePanelconsideredinaggravationthe16-monthdelayin ling the lawsuit, the incorrect information Attorney providedtoAttorneysclient,andAttorneyslongevityof18yearsofpractice.Inmitigation,thePanelfoundthatAttorneylackedanyselsh motive, that Attorney was candid and cooperative in the

discipline process, and that Attorney rectied the situation withthe client, who is satised with Attorneys representation.

AttorneyisherebyREPRIMANDEDforviolationsofRulesofProfessionalConduct(RPC)1.4(Communication)andRPC

5.3(ResponsibilitiesRegardingNonlawyerAssistants).

LETTER OF REPRIMAND

File No.: 07-146-NA177

Letter of Reprimand imposed on California-licensed lawyer forengaging in the unauthorized practice of law in Nevada.

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AttorneyisanattorneylicensedonlyintheStateofCalifornia.AtnotimewasAttorneylicensedtopracticelawintheStateofNevadaorauthorizedtopracticeorappearinanycourtpursuanttoNevadaSupremeCourtRules.

Attorneyslicensetopracticelawwasfee-suspendedinCaliforniainSeptember2003,andlatersuspended,aswell,inSeptember2005,forfailingtocompleterequiredcontinuinglegaleducationcredits.AttorneybroughthisCalifornialicensecurrentandactiveinOctober2006.

Priortobringinghislicensecurrent,AttorneysentalettertotheNevadaStateContractorsBoard(NSCB)asarepresentativeofaContractor,requestingthelicensingrenewalextensionbeplacedonanupcomingagenda.Theletterstated,inpart,Ifapprovalisnotgranted[Contractor]willseekallavailableremediestoreinstatethislicenseandanydamagesinDistrictCourt.TheletterwassignedbyAttorney,for[Contractor].

Thenextweek,theNSCBhelditsregularmonthlypublicmeeting.Inthenormalcourseofbusiness,allpersonswantingtoaddresstheBoardmustsigninandwhentheitemcomesupontheagenda,thepersoniscalledbeforetheBoard.AttorneyenteredhisnameonthesigninsheetforContractor,designatinghistitleasAtty.

NAC624.7279(1)statesAnypersonwhoappearsatahearingmayrepresenthimselformayberepresentedbyanattorneylicensedtopracticelawintheState.

Attorney came before the Board and initially identiedhimselftotheBoardasthein-housecounselforContractor.UponquestioningbytheBoardmembersanditscounsel,

Attorney subsequently identied himself as a CaliforniaattorneywhowasnotcurrentlylicensedtopracticelawintheStateofNevada.AttorneystatedthatAttorneywasanemployeeasfarasbeingin-housecounselandwasintheprocessofnegotiatingwiththeStateofNevadaregardinghislicensurehere.

Inanotheraction,AttorneysentaletterinSeptember2006,to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 28 ofceonContractorletterhead.ThelettertookissuewithanattemptbytheNLRBtojoinContractorinanactionandalsocomplainedaboutlackofproperserviceandnotice.ThesignatureblockindicatedAttorneysname,AttorneyatLaw.

InOctober2006,AttorneysentalettertotheCarpentersUniononContractorletterheaddemandingacheckforalmost$350,000plus18percentinterest.IntheletterAttorneystatedthatifthecheckwasnotreceivedthatbusinessday,thecompanywilltakewhateverlegalactionitdeemsnecessary.TheletterwassignedasAttorneyforContractor.

AttorneyisherebyREPRIMANDEDforviolationsofRPC5.5(UnauthorizedPracticeofLaw)andRPC7.1(CommunicationsConcerningaLawyersServices).

1. TheequivalentNevadarulewhichcorrespondstoBryans

misconductisSCR115.2. Inlightofthisorder,furtherproceedingsinBryanspriorreciprocal

disciplinematterarerenderedmoot.SeeInre:DisciplineofPhyllisBryan,DocketNo.53457(OrderofReferraltoDisciplinaryBoard,November18,2009).

DiSciPLine keY

Resignation with charges pending: SCR 98(5)(b)Types of possible discipline listed generally: SCR 102Attorneys convicted of crimes: SCR 111Conditional guilty plea agreements

(discipline by consent): SCR 113Reciprocal discipline: SCR 114Disbarred/Suspended attorneys: SCR 115Reinstatement: SCR 116Disability Inactive: SCR 117

Supreme Court Rules (SCRs):

www.leg.state.nv.us/CourtRules/SCR.htmlDISBARMENT License to practice revoked.

SUSPENSION License suspended for a time certain,ineligible to practice. More than six months requires petitionfor reinstatement and court order.

DISABILITY INACTIVE Ineligible to practice until furtherorder of the court. In the interim, disciplinary proceedingsheld in abeyance.

INTERIM TEMPORARY SUSPENSION Interim suspensionbased on showing of a substantial threat of serious harm tothe public, in effect until further court order, usually after

hearing.RESIGNATION WITH CHARGES PENDING Ineligible topractice. Requires Bar Counsel approval. Resignation isirrevocable, with readmission only possible upon applicationas a new admittee.

PUBLIC REPRIMAND Misconduct found and publiccensure issued, including attorneys name and the underlyingfacts and charges. Published in Nevada Lawyerand madeavailable to the press. Remains eligible to practice law.

LETTER OF REPRIMAND Lowest level of discipline.Not published, but disclosed upon request under the newrules. May also include up to a $1,000 fine and restitution.

Remains eligible to practice.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUSPENSION Attorneys may beadministratively suspended for failure to pay bar fees (SCR98(12)), and/or for failure to complete and report the requiredContinuing Legal Education hours (SCR 212). While theseare not disciplinary suspensions, the attorney is ineligibleto practice law until the deficiency is remedied and theprocedures to transfer back to active status completed as setforth in the applicable rules.