Reciprocal Disability Suspension Imposed

The full Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has imposed reciprocal discipline based on an attorney’s disability suspension in Maine.

A single justice had ordered reciprocal discipline.

The court

We recognize that the rules and procedures of other jurisdictions may not align perfectly with ours, but if they are “equivalent” in practical application and effect, orders and judgments entered elsewhere serve as the basis for reciprocal treatment here…

In the circumstances, the single justice of this court correctly concluded that the Maine suspension order was the practical equivalent of what our rules consider to be a “transfer to ‘disability inactive status.'”

Thus

The single justice correctly concluded that the respondent was not entitled to a separate hearing in Massachusetts to evaluate her incapacity, and properly transferred her to disability inactive status in Massachusetts.

(Mike Frisch)