Case Information
*1 07/23/2021 1 Pamela D. Bucy Case Number: PR 21-0359 Chief Disciplinary Counsel [2] P.O. Box 1099
Helena, MT 59624-1099
(406) 442-1648
pbucv cr montanaodc.or2
Office of Disciplinary Counsel
B E F R E THE COMMISSION ON PRACTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA [*] [*] * * * * * * * * [*] * *
IN THE MATTER OF MARGARET Supreme No.: READER, File No.: 21-063 A Suspended Attorney, COMPLAINT Respondent. Rules 8.1(b), MRPC [16] leave of Commission Practice granted July Office [17]
Disciplinary Counsel State Montana ("ODC"), hereby charges Margaret [18] Reader professional misconduct follows: [9] admitted a w , t a de o sp R s n ed . Ma rg are Re ade r, her eina fter r er r
[20] took she time State of'law practice oath [21] required fo r admission, wherein she agreed abide by Rules Professional [22] Conduct, Disciplinary Rules adopted ur t, highest [23] standards honesty, justice morality, including but limited to, those [24] Ti tl , M on an C od e Annotat ed. ou tl ine pa rt nd 4 of ha te [25] /// - *2 2. The has approved and adopted the Montana Rules
1 [2] conduct ethical the governing ("MRPC"), t of c d n o C Professional of u attorneys [3] effect in were Rules which , a n a t n o M State the in practice to licensed all times [4] mentioned in Complaint.
[5] 3. In November 2020, ODC received a grievance which alleged [6] Respondent engaged unethical conduct while representing numerous clients. The [7] grievance was docketed ODC File No.: 20-191.
[8] 4. Normally, ODC would forward grievance to Respondent for her [9] at Res ponde nt w as b ei ng e v i c t e d from h h t se r e sp o n se . How ever, O D wa s a dv i d er io office space and she had no been seen office significant period time.
[11] Respondent's office is address she has file with State Bar Montana.
[12] ODC attempted to contact Respondent her c el l phone, however, her [13] voicemail was full, and no message could be left. ODC also sent text messages to [14] cell phone, to Respondent did not respond. Next, ODC contacted [15] Respondent's boyfriend confirming her personal address and sh e was living at [16] residence him.
[17] letter dated December 2020, and addressed to Respondent's home [18] address, ODC requested Respondent respond to grievance. Respondent was es po ns e, o n o r b or e J a n u a r y 1 2 02 1. T r h r h [9] g i v en t w e t y - n e d ay s to r ov i d e e e [20] letter was not returned, Respondent failed to respond. On February 2021, [21] mailed, certified/return receipt requested regular mail, letter [22] requesting Respondent's response t o report within ten days from date the [23] letter. The regular letter was returned, Respondent failed to respond. On wa r et ur ne DC " Re tu e t t Ma rc h , rn Fe bru ary certified l e he [25] Sender, Unclaimed, Un abl o Forward." P ag *3 7. Having received no communication or response from Respondent, ODC
1 [2] requested the COP hold a Rule 24 Order to Show Cause hearing. The COP entered [3] an Order March 12, 2021, ordering Respondent to appear on April 21, 2021. On [4] March 2021, contacted Civil Clerk with Gallatin County Sheriff's [5] office to personally serve Respondent with Show Cause documents. Finally, the [6] Sheriff executed service upon Respondent April at her home.
[7] 8. The COP filed an Amended Petition asking Court to accept adopt [8] their Rule 24 recommendation to suspend Respondent for thirty -days take [9] B y O rd er d at . e A pr il 1, essary fu rth er c ti nec ha t Co urt de em the [10] denied Petition citing Respondent had been 1 I given proper notice provided Rule 24.
[12] O hearing, 24 Rule another pursue to efforts 9. ue nt co n ha Rather DC its [13] has elected to pursue a formal disciplinary matter. Respondent has failed [14] communicate DC in any fashion, or respond to ODC's inquiries, and [15] effectively dodged attempts service.
[16] 10. her co nd uc outlined above, Respondent violated Rule 8.1(b), MRPC. [17] 11. Rule 8A(6), MRLDE, provides additional grounds discipline for [18] Respondent's failure to promptly fully respond to ODC's inquiries. y ra nsel Cou : WHEREFOR Dis of ice Off E, cipl inary
[20] That a Citation be issued to Respondent, to shall be attached a [21] copy complaint, requiring Respondent, within twenty-one (21) days after [22] service, file written answer to complaint;
[23] That formal hearing be had allegations complaint before an is mm th l sio an y to ca i ud dj A P n; [25] HI That Adjudicatory Panel Commission make report its
findings and recommendations after formal hearing Supreme Court, and, event Adjudicatory Panel finds facts warrant disciplinary action and recommends discipline, Commission also recommend nature and extent appropriate disciplinary action, including an award costs and expenses incurred investigating prosecuting matter; and, For such other further relief deemed necessary proper. DATED this day July 2021.
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL By.
Pamela D. Bucy hi Disciplinary Counsel [9] [20]
[21]
[22]
[23] [4]
[25] mp la
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, Pamela D. Bucy, hereby certify that I have served true and accurate copies of the foregoing Complaint - Formal Complaint and Citation to Appear to the following on 07-23-2021 : Shelly Smith (Court Reporter)
Office Administrator
Supreme Court Boards and Commissions
P.O. Box 203002
301 S. Park Ave., Ste. 328
Helena MT 59624
Service Method: eService
E-mail Address: shellysmith@mt.gov
Electronically signed by Sandy Jacke on behalf of Pamela D. Bucy Dated: 07-23-2021