NO. 28300
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF HAWAI`I
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL, Petitioner,
vs.
RICHARD
B. COOK, Respondent.
ODC 06-074-8414
Upon consideration of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel's ex parte petition for issuance of reciprocal discipline notice to Respondent Richard B. Cook, pursuant to Rule 2.15(b) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai'i ("RSCH"), the memorandum, affidavit, and exhibits thereto, and the record, it appears that: (1) on June 16, 2006, the Supreme Court of Louisiana suspended Respondent Cook for three years for his violation of Rules 3.1 (meritorious claims and contentions), 4.4 (respect for the rights of third persons), 8.4(a) (violation of the rules of professional conduct), and 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice) of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct; (2) RSCH 2.15(b) requires issuance of notice and entry of an order imposing the same or substantially equivalent discipline, or restrictions or conditions upon the attorney's license to practice law in the State of Hawai'i, unless Respondent Cook shall show cause under RSCH 2.15(c) as to why imposition of the same or substantially equivalent discipline should not be imposed; (3) Respondent Cook did not respond to our December 20, 2006 notice and order; and (4) a similar discipline in this jurisdiction is suspension for three years. Therefore,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Respondent Richard B. Cook is suspended in the State of Hawai'i for three years. Notwithstanding RSCH 2.16(c), Respondent Cook's suspension is effective upon entry of this order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent Cook's reinstatement in the State of Hawai'i is conditioned (1) upon payment of all costs of this proceeding, (2) compliance with the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court of Louisiana, and (3) reinstatement to the practice of law in Louisiana.
DATED: Honolulu, Hawai'i, March 6, 2007.