In re Darlene C. Jackson

Summary

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals imposed a 60-day suspension on Darlene C. Jackson, with reinstatement conditioned on demonstrating fitness to practice law. The court adopted the Board on Professional Responsibility’s findings that Jackson violated professional-conduct rules by issuing a subpoena during a discovery stay, disclosing a sealed settlement agreement, failing to comply with court rules and orders, and failing to respond to Disciplinary Counsel.

Holdings

1. When no exceptions are filed to the Board on Professional Responsibility's report and recommendation, the court may impose the recommended discipline after applying an especially deferential review, and the court accepted the recommendation here.
2. Respondent was suspended from practicing law in the District of Columbia for sixty days, with reinstatement conditioned on demonstrating fitness to practice law.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should accept the Board on Professional Responsibility's recommended sixty-day suspension with reinstatement conditioned on a showing of fitness when the respondent filed no exceptions.
2. Whether the recommended sanction was reasonable and appropriate for the violations found by the Board.

Disposition

other