NO. 27247
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL, Petitioner,
(ODC 01-141-6885)
ORDER OF SUSPENSION
By: Moon, C.J., Levinson, Nakayama, Acoba, and Duffy, JJ.)
Upon consideration of the Disciplinary Board's Report and Recommendation for the Suspension of Catherine M. Barrad, the exhibits thereto, the stipulation, and the record, it appears that Respondent Barrad neglected a client's case and failed to supervise her staff and that such neglect resulted in multiple violations of Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 1.15(f)(4), 1.16(d), 3.2, 5.3(b), and 8.4(a) of the Hawai‘i Rules of Professional Conduct. An attorney's neglect of a legal matter warrants disciplinary action, see Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Kagawa, 63 Haw. 150, 156, 622 P.2d 115, 119 (1981). It further appears that there are strong mitigating circumstances and equally strong aggravating factors in this case. Therefore,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Respondent Barrad is suspended from the practice of law in this jurisdiction for a period of three (3) months, effective thirty (30) days after entry of this order, as provided by Rule 2.16(c) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai‘i ("RSCH"). Respondent Barrad is reminded that she may not resume the practice of law in Hawai‘i until she is reinstated by order of this court. See RSCH 2.17(a).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, as a condition of her reinstatement, Respondent Barrad shall reimburse the Disciplinary Board for the costs associated with this proceeding, as determined by this court after timely submission of a bill of costs. See RSCH 2.3(c).
IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that Respondent Barrad shall, within ten (10) days after the effective date of the suspension order, file with this court an affidavit in full compliance with RSCH 2.16(d).
DATED: Honolulu, Hawai‘i, May 16, 2005.