In re Richard J. Dobbyn

Summary

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals imposed identical reciprocal discipline on Richard J. Dobbyn following his disbarment by a Texas Grievance Committee for multiple ethical violations, including misappropriation and neglect of client matters. The court ordered that Dobbyn be disbarred from practicing law in the District of Columbia and that his name be stricken from the roll of authorized attorneys.

Holdings

1. The court imposed identical reciprocal discipline and disbarred Dobbyn from practicing law in the District of Columbia.
2. The court was not troubled by the fact that Dobbyn's Texas disbarment was entered by default because Dobbyn failed to participate in either the Texas proceeding or the reciprocal proceeding.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Texas disbarment was subject to reciprocal discipline in the District of Columbia.
2. Whether disbarment was within the range of discipline that could have been imposed in the District of Columbia for Dobbyn's misconduct.
3. Whether the fact that the Texas disbarment was entered by default prevented imposition of identical reciprocal discipline.

Disposition

other