STATE OF OKLAHOMA ex rel. OBA v. NEWMAN

Citations

• 2026 OK 31

Syllabus

¶ 0 In SCBD No. 7903, an attorney-discipline proceeding initiated under Rule 7 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings, 5 O.S.2021 Ch. 1, App. 1-A (RGDP), Respondent was immediately interim suspended from the practice of law on account of a plea of no contest and an order deferring judgment entered in a criminal case in a district court for McCurtain County. Not long after the initiation of SCBD No. 7903, Complainant charged Respondent with multiple counts of professional misconduct under RGDP Rule 6 in SCBD No. 7914. The charges contain multiple allegations that Respondent neglected his clients and the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct. This Court ordered the cases consolidated and announced that a joint hearing on all matters at issue in the actions will be held and a single record and trial panel report will be filed. The trial panel of the Professional Responsibility Tribunal (PRT) found clear and convincing evidence that Respondent committed professional misconduct and failed to cooperate in responding to the grievances. The PRT recommended Respondent's suspension from the practice of law for one year, to be followed by a two-year period of Bar-approved probation. Upon de novo review, we lift the order of immediate interim suspension and impose final discipline pursuant to both RGDP Rules 6 and 7.