In re McKenna

Summary

The Rhode Island Supreme Court suspended attorney David I. McKenna from practicing law for at least three months based on neglect of an estate-planning matter, failure to communicate with a client, failure to respond to disciplinary counsel, and misrepresentations concerning filings with the Division of Taxation. The suspension required an application for reinstatement and imposed procedures for concluding or transferring client matters.

Holdings

1. An attorney who fails to diligently complete a client representation, fails to communicate with the client and provide documents for which the client paid, and knowingly fails to respond to lawful disciplinary demands is subject to discipline under the applicable Rules of Professional Conduct.
2. Suspension for at least three months, together with a requirement that the respondent apply for reinstatement, was appropriate for the misconduct and demonstrated history of neglect.

Questions Presented

1. Whether McKenna’s neglect of the estate-planning representation, failure to communicate with the client, and failure to respond to disciplinary counsel violated the Rhode Island Rules of Professional Conduct.
2. Whether suspension from the practice of law for at least three months, with an application for reinstatement, was appropriate in light of McKenna’s misconduct and prior disciplinary history.

Disposition

other