In re William Payne

Summary

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals granted a consent petition to indefinitely suspend William Payne from practicing law based on disability under D.C. Bar Rule XI, § 13. The court also ordered the petition filed under seal, held pending disciplinary matters in abeyance, and changed the case designation to reflect that the matter was no longer confidential.

Holdings

1. The court granted leave to file the Board on Professional Responsibility's lodged consent petition under seal because it contains sensitive medical information.
2. The court granted the consent petition and indefinitely suspended William Payne from the practice of law in the District of Columbia, effective immediately, on the grounds of disability.
3. Any pending investigations or other disciplinary matters against respondent are held in abeyance.

Questions Presented

1. Whether to permit the lodged consent petition to be filed under seal because it contains sensitive medical information.
2. Whether to grant the consent petition and indefinitely suspend respondent from the practice of law based on disability under D.C. Bar R. XI, § 13(c) and (e).
3. Whether pending investigations or other disciplinary matters against respondent should be held in abeyance.

Disposition

other