DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission Actions
Attorney Disciplinary Actions
On August 6, 2014, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission announced sanctions against Judge Michael A. Maggio in case #14-136 with a Letter of Suspension and Removal of Office.
Final actions from July 1 - September 30, 2014, by the Committee on Professional Conduct. Summaries prepared by the Office of Professional Conduct (OPC). Full text documents are available on-line either at http://courts.arkansas.gov and by entering the attorney’s name in the attorney locater feature under the “Directories” link on the home page, or also on the Judiciary home page by checking under “Opinions and Disciplinary Decisions.” [The “Model” Rules of Professional Conduct are for conduct prior to May 1, 2005. The “Arkansas” Rules are in effect from May 1, 2005.]
On September 11, 2014, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a Per Curiam ordering Judge Michael A. Maggio removed from judicial office and the immediate issue of the mandate. On September 19, 2014, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission announced that an agreed Letter of Informal Adjustment was issued to the Pope County District Court Judge Don Bourne, in Commission case #14-152.
SUSPENSION:
Sidney H. McCollum
REPRIMAND:
JOHN SKYLAR “SKY” TAPP, Bar No. 76123, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, had his law license suspended for ninety (90) days, was fined $10,000, and ordered to pay $753.50 costs by the Committee after a hearing, a decision affirmed by the Arkansas Supreme
Copies of the press releases can be found online at http://www.state.ar.us/jddc/ decisions.html.
John Dewey Watson
Richard L. “Rick” Ramsay
Court in Case No. 13-1055 in an opinion issued September 18, 2014, at 2014 Ark. 374. Based on a complaint by Nita Bargen of Hot Springs, the Committee found Tapp violated AR Rules 1.7(a) and 1.9(a) (both on conflict of interest) and 8.4(a) (violating the Rules), (c) (conduct involving deceit or misrepresentation), and (d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). Tapp briefly represented Bargen (the mother) as a paying client in a child custody matter in 2006 and he represented the father against Bargen in the same matter and case in early 2012. On motion by Bargen, the trial court disqualified Tapp in 2012 from representing the father. On appeal, Tapp argued the sanction was excessive. The Committee and the Court stated that Tapp’s disciplinary history supported the sanction of suspension.
John E. Jennings
MAX M. HORNER, JR., Bar No. 2001067, of Little Rock, Arkansas, in Committee Case No. CPC 2014-013, by Findings and Order filed August 27, 2014, on a complaint based on an appellate opinion, was reprimanded
John F. Stroud, Jr.
Samuel N. Bird
We’re as close as your phone. We mediate all over the state and beyond. You choose – your place or ours. Richard Lusby
ADR
Travis Berry
INC.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Contact us at (501) 376-2121 or go to www.mediateadr.com for more information. Scotty Shively
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The Arkansas Lawyer
Prospect Building • 1501 N. University Avenue, Suite 630 • Little Rock, AR 72207
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Pine Drewyor