Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Jones

Summary

The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recommended disbarment of Floyd Paul Jones based on repeated neglect of client matters, failure to refund unearned fees, conversion of client funds, dishonesty, abandonment of his practice, and noncompliance with a prior informal admonition. On March 11, 2005, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ordered that Jones be disbarred and pay disciplinary costs.

Holdings

1. Jones violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 1.15(b), 1.16(d), 8.4(b), and 8.4(c), and Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement 203(b)(3) and 204(b).
2. Disbarment was warranted because Jones engaged in extensive and repeated misconduct, converted client funds, abandoned his practice, disregarded his clients and the court system, had prior discipline, and failed to participate in the disciplinary process.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Jones violated the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct and Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement through neglect, failure to communicate, failure to safeguard or return client funds, failure to refund unearned fees, dishonesty, and related misconduct.
2. Whether the totality of Jones's repeated misconduct, prior discipline, abandonment of his practice, conversion of client funds, and failure to participate in the disciplinary process warranted disbarment.
3. Whether Jones should be ordered to comply with Rule 217 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement and pay disciplinary costs.

Disposition

other