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Professional Responsibility — disbarment

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//February 3, 2012//

Professional Responsibility — disbarment

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//February 3, 2012//

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United States Court of Appeals For the Seventh Circuit

Criminal

Professional Responsibility — disbarment

Where attorney Bridget Boyle-Saxton abandoned a client and did not respond to an order to show cause, she is disbarred from practicing before the court.

“Boyle-Saxton did not file a brief by December 2; indeed, this court has not heard from her at all since the Chief Judge’s order. Rodriguez’s appeal has been dismissed for want of prosecution. The obvious ineffective assistance of counsel will force Rodriguez to obtain an order from the district court vacating and reinstating his conviction, so that he can have the benefit of an appeal.”

“Because Boyle-Saxton has not responded to the Chief Judge’s order, and thus has not asked for an evidentiary hearing, the disciplinary matter is ready for decision.”

“She is unfit to practice law in this court. Abandonment of a client in a criminal case is reprehensible. Ignoring orders entered by a court is inexcusable. We have disbarred lawyers in similar circumstances. See, e.g., In re Riggs, 240 F.3d 668 (7th Cir. 2001). That is the appropriate step here too. Boyle-Saxton is disbarred. She is further ordered to refund to Rodriguez all fees she may have been paid for handling this appeal, and to provide the court within 21 days evidence that this has been done. Failure to do so will be treated as contempt of court.”

2-2-12 D-12-0002 In the Matter of Boyle-Saxton

Disciplinary Matter, Per Curiam.

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