Overslept In Alabama
Recent discipline reported on the web page of the Alabama State Bar
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand With Publication
Description:
Hoover, Alabama attorney, Bradley James Latta was issued a public reprimand with general publication on January 19, 2024, as ordered by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar, for violating Rules 1.3 [Diligence] 1.4 [Communication], 1.15 [Safekeeping Property], 8.1(a) [Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters] and 8.4 (c), (d) and (g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. Latta failed to appear for hearings in a matter on two separate occasions. On the first occasion, Latta falsely represented that he had been in a car accident which caused him to miss the hearing. On the second occasion, Latta admitted to oversleeping and missing the hearing. Latta subsequently failed to pay court ordered sanctions in a timely manner. Latta also failed to properly deposit the client’s fee in trust.
Discipline Imposed: Public Reprimand With Publication
Description:
A Birmingham, Alabama attorney Daniel Houston Chambers received a public reprimand with general publication as ordered by the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar, on January 19, 2024 for violating Rules 3.1(a) [Meritorious Claims and Contentions], 3.3(a)(1) [Candor Toward the Tribunal], 3.4 [Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel], 4.4(b) [Respect for Rights of Third Persons], and 8.4(c) and (g) [Misconduct], Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. The Disciplinary Commission determined the attorney obtained privileged communications between another lawyer and her client during a divorce proceeding. While representing a client in a divorce matter, the client obtained confidential and privileged emails between his wife and her attorney. The attorney failed to notify opposing counsel he had possession of the confidential and privileged emails. Instead, the attorney used these emails to shape his client’s litigation strategy and to gain an unfair advantage in the proceedings.
(Mike Frisch)
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