Summary 2013 WY 88

Order of Public Censure July 18, 2013

Case Name: BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, WYOMING STATE BAR v. CYNTHIA K. VAN VLEET, WSB #6-4385

Docket Number: D-13-0005

URL: http://www.courts.state.wy.us/Opinions.aspx

Petitioner: BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, WYOMING STATE BAR

Respondent: CYNTHIA K. VAN VLEET, WSB #6-4385

Date of Decision: July 18, 2013

This matter came before the Court upon a “Report and Recommendation for Public Censure,” filed herein June 12, 2013, by the Board of Professional Responsibility for the Wyoming State Bar. The Court, after a careful review of the Board of Professional Responsibility’s Report and Recommendation and the file, finds that the Report and Recommendation should be approved, confirmed and adopted by the Court, and that Respondent Cynthia K. Van Vleet should be publicly censured for her conduct, which is described in the attached Report and Recommendation. It is, therefore,

ADJUDGED AND ORDERED that the Board of Professional Responsibility’s Report and Recommendation for Public Censure, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein, shall be, and the same hereby is, approved, confirmed, and adopted by this Court; and it is further

ADJUDGED AND ORDERED that Cynthia K. Van Vleet is hereby publicly censured for her conduct, which is described in the attached Report and Recommendation for Public Censure; and it is further

ORDERED that, on or before December 31, 2013, Ms. Van Vleet shall complete four (4) hours of continuing legal education on the subject of ethics; and it is further

ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 26 of the Disciplinary Code for the Wyoming State Bar, Ms. Van Vleet shall reimburse the Wyoming State Bar the amount of $4,697.43, representing the costs incurred in handling this matter, as well as pay the administrative fee of $500.00. Ms. Van Vleet shall pay the total amount of $5,197.43 to the Clerk of the Board of Professional Responsibility on or before December 31, 2013; and it is further

ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court shall docket this Order of Public Censure, along with the incorporated Report and Recommendation for Public Censure, as a matter coming regularly before this Court as a public record; and it is further

ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 4 of the Disciplinary Code for the Wyoming State Bar, this Order of Public Censure, along with the incorporated Report and Recommendation for Public Censure, shall be published in the Wyoming Reporter and the Pacific Reporter; and it is further

ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court cause a copy of the Order of Public Censure to be served upon Respondent Cynthia K. Van Vleet.

DATED this 18th day of July, 2013.

Please follow link to access to the full Report and Recommendation: http://www.courts.state.wy.us/Opinions.aspx

Summaries are prepared by Law Librarians and are not official statements of the Wyoming Supreme Court

[SPECIAL NOTE: This opinion uses the "Universal Citation." It was given an "official" citation when it was issued. You should use this citation whenever you cite the opinion, with a P.3d parallel citation. You will also note when you look at the opinion that all of the paragraphs are numbered. When you need to provide a pinpoint citation to a quote the universal portion of the citation will use that paragraph number. The pinpoint citation in the P.3d portion will need to have the reporter page number. If you need assistance in putting together a citation from this, or any future opinion using the Universal Citation form, please contact the Wyoming State Law Library and we will provide any needed assistance]

Summary 2012 WY 44

Summary of Decision March 23, 2012

[SPECIAL NOTE:  This opinion uses the "Universal Citation."  It was given an "official" citation when it was issued.  You should use this citation whenever you cite the opinion, with a P.3d parallel citation.  You will also note when you look at the opinion that all of the paragraphs are numbered.  When you need to provide a pinpoint citation to a quote the universal portion of the citation will use that paragraph number.  The pinpoint citation in the P.3d portion will need to have the reporter page number. If you need assistance in putting together a citation from this, or any future opinion using the Universal Citation form, please contact the Wyoming State Law Library and we will provide any needed assistance] 

Summaries are prepared by Law Librarians and are not official statements of the Wyoming Supreme Court

Case Name:  In the Matter of the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics’ Findings and Recommendations with Respect to the Honorable Tony S. Lopez, Municipal Judge, Second Judicial District, Albany County, Laramie, Wyoming

Docket Number: J-12-0001

URL: http://wyomcases.courts.state.wy.us/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=465276

Order of Public Censure

Date of Order: March 23, 2012

The Court, after a careful review of the “Commission’s Findings and Recommendation” finds that the Honorable Tony S. Lopez, Laramie Municipal Judge, should be publicly censured for the conduct described in the “Commission’s Findings and Recommendation.”

Summary 2010 WY 13

Summary of Decision issued February 10, 2010

Summaries are prepared by Law Librarians and are not official statements of the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Case Name: Bd. of Prof. Responsibility, Wyo. State Bar v. Bustos

Citation: 2010 WY 13

Docket Number: D-10-0001

Order of Public Censure

The matter came before the Court upon a “Report and Recommendation for Public Censure” filed January 26, 2010, by the Board of Professional Responsibility for the Wyoming State Bar pursuant to Section 16 of the Disciplinary Code. After the Court reviewed the Report and Recommendation, the respondent’s Section 16 Affidavit and the file, found that the Report and Recommendation should be approved, confirmed and adopted.

Respondent shall receive a public censure for his conduct in a manner consistent with the recommended censure contained in the Report and Recommendation. Pursuant to Section 26, Bustos shall reimburse the Wyoming State Bar for $525.00 before March 30, 2010. The order shall be docketed as a public record and published in the Wyoming Reporter and the Pacific Reporter, served upon the Respondent and transmitted to the members of the Board of Professional Responsibility and the appropriate clerks of court.

The Report and Recommendation for Public Censure can be found at the link below.

C.J. Voigt delivered the order for the court.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/yl2qprv .

[SPECIAL NOTE: This opinion uses "Universal Citation" and was given an "official" citation when issued. You should use this citation whenever you cite the opinion, with a P.3d parallel citation. You will note that all of the paragraphs are numbered. When you need to provide a pinpoint citation, the universal portion of the citation will use that paragraph number. The pinpoint citation in the P.3d portion should include the reporter page number. If you need assistance, please contact the Wyoming State Law Library.]

Summary 2009 WY 123

Summary of Decision issued October 7, 2009

Summaries are prepared by Law Librarians and are not official statements of the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Case Name: Wyoming State Bar v. John Craig Abraham

Citation: 2009 WY 123

Docket Number: D-09-0002

Order of Public Censure

The matter came before the Court upon a “Report and Recommendation for Public Censure” filed August 27, 2009, by the Board of Professional Responsibility for the Wyoming State Bar. The Court, after a careful review of the Board’s report and recommendation finds that the Report and Recommendation should be approved, confirmed and adopted by the Court; and that Respondent should be publicly censured in the manner set forth in the Report and Recommendation.

Respondent shall receive a public censure for his conduct in a manner consistent with the recommended censure contained in the Report and Recommendation for Public Censure; Respondent will be mentored by C. John Cotton and Michael K. Shoumaker during a probationary period that will last until January 1, 2012 and agrees that he will be suspended from practice for any further rules infractions that occur within that probationary period; Respondent shall reimburse the Wyoming State Bar the amount of $525.00 to the Clerk of the Board of Professional Responsibility on or before January 1, 2010. The order shall be docketed as a public record and published in the Wyoming Reporter and the Pacific Reporter, served upon the Respondent and transmitted to the members of the Board of Professional Responsibility and the appropriate clerks of court.

The Report and Recommendation for Public Censure can be found at the link below.

C.J. Voigt delivered the order for the court.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/ye3ushj .

[SPECIAL NOTE: This opinion uses "Universal Citation" and was given an "official" citation when issued. You should use this citation whenever you cite the opinion, with a P.3d parallel citation. You will note that all of the paragraphs are numbered. When you need to provide a pinpoint citation, the universal portion of the citation will use that paragraph number. The pinpoint citation in the P.3d portion should include the reporter page number. If you need assistance, please contact the Wyoming State Law Library.]

Summary 2007 WY 100

Summary of Decision issued June 20, 2007

[SPECIAL NOTE: This opinion uses "Universal Citation" and was given an "official" citation when issued. You should use this citation whenever you cite the opinion, with a P.3d parallel citation. You will note that all of the paragraphs are numbered. When you need to provide a pinpoint citation, the universal portion of the citation will use that paragraph number. The pinpoint citation in the P.3d portion should include the reporter page number. If you need assistance, please contact the Wyoming State Law Library.]

Summaries are prepared by Law Librarians and are not official statements of the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Case Name: Board of Professional Responsibility, Wyoming State Bar v. Richard J. Mulligan

Citation: 2006 WY 100

Docket Number: D-07-0003

Order of Public Censure

The matter came before the Court upon a “Report and Recommendation for Public Censure” filed May 16, 2007, by the Board of Professional Responsibility for the Wyoming State Bar. The Court, after a careful review of the Board’s report, Bar Counsel’s “Motion for Public Censure and to File a Report and Recommendation for Discipline,” the Respondent’s “Section 16 Affidavit,” the affidavit of Costs and Expenses, and the file, finds that the Report and Recommendation should be approved, confirmed and adopted by the Court; and that Respondent should be publicly censured in the manner set forth in the Report and Recommendation.

Respondent shall receive a public censure for his conduct in a manner consistent with the recommended censure contained in the Report and Recommendation for Public Censure; Respondent shall complete 15 additional hours of CLE in addition to the mandatory CLE requirements; Respondent shall draft a billing form for use in matters where he uses an outside contractor; Respondent shall reimburse the Wyoming State Bar the amount of $59.97 for some of the costs incurred in handling the matter as well as pay an administrative fee of $500.00 to the Clerk of the Board of Professional Responsibility on or before September 1, 2007. The order shall be docketed as a public record and published in the Wyoming Reporter and the Pacific Reporter, served upon the Respondent and transmitted to the members of the Board of Professional Responsibility and the appropriate clerks of court.

The Report and Recommendation for Public Censure can be found at the link below.

C.J. Voigt delivered the order for the court.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/yrkayf .

Summary 2007 WY 13

Summary of Decision issued January 25, 2007

[SPECIAL NOTE: This opinion uses the "Universal Citation." It was given an "official" citation when it was issued. You should use this citation whenever you cite the opinion, with a P.3d parallel citation. Please note when you look at the opinion that all of the paragraphs are numbered. When you pinpoint cite to a quote, you should cite to this paragraph number rather than to any page number. If you need assistance in putting together a citation using the Universal Citation form, please contact the Wyoming State Law Library.]

Summaries are prepared by Law Librarians and are not official statements of the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Case Name: In the Matter of the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics’ Findings and Recommendations with Respect to the Honorable John V. Crow, Circuit Judge, Sublette County, Ninth Judicial District, Pinedale, Wyoming.

Citation: 2007 WY 13

Docket Number: J-06-0001

Order of Public Censure

The matter came before the Court upon a “Commission’s Findings and Recommendations” filed December 4, 2006, by the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics of the State of Wyoming. The Commission recommended the Honorable John V. Crow, Circuit Judge (now retired) be publicly censured for his conduct. Judge Crow did not file a petition to modify or reject the recommendation of the commission within the time allotted. The Court found he therefore consented to a determination on the merits based upon the record filed by the commission.

After a careful review of the “Commission’s Findings and Recommendations”, the materials and the file, the Court found the reports and recommendations should be approved, confirmed and adopted; and the Honorable John V. Crow should be publicly censured for the conduct described in the report, and assessed costs and fees in the amount of $11,937.17. The Clerk shall docket the Order along with the incorporated Findings and the order shall be published in the Wyoming Reporter and the Pacific Reporter.

The Commission’s Findings and Recommendations will be found at the link below.

C.J. Voigt delivered the order for the court.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/2tffpq .

Summary 2007 WY 8

Summary of Decision issued January 17, 2007

[SPECIAL NOTE: This opinion uses the "Universal Citation." It was given an "official" citation when it was issued. You should use this citation whenever you cite the opinion, with a P.3d parallel citation. Please note when you look at the opinion that all of the paragraphs are numbered. When you pinpoint cite to a quote, you should cite to this paragraph number rather than to any page number. If you need assistance in putting together a citation using the Universal Citation form, please contact the Wyoming State Law Library.]

Summaries are prepared by Law Librarians and are not official statements of the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Case Name: Board of Professional Responsibility, Wyoming State Bar v. Chapman

Citation: 2007 WY 8

Docket Number: D-06-10

Order of Public Censure

The matter came before the Court upon a “Report and Recommendation for Public Censure” filed December 26, 2006, by the Board of Professional Responsibility for the Wyoming State Bar. The Court, after a careful review of the Board’s report, the Respondent’s “Section 16 Affidavit,” Bar Counsel’s “Motion for Public Censure and to File a Report and Recommendation for Discipline,” and the file, finds that the Report and Recommendation should be approved, confirmed and adopted by the Court; and that Respondent should be publicly censured in the manner set forth in the Report and Recommendation.

Respondent shall receive a public censure for his conduct in a manner consistent with the recommended censure contained in the Report and Recommendation for Public Censure; Respondent shall complete five additional hours of ethics CLE including the issues of discovery/privilege, reimburse the Wyoming State Bar the amount of $49.68 representing the costs incurred in handling the matter as well as pay an administrative fee of $500.00 to the Clerk of the Board of Professional Responsibility on or before March 1, 2007. The order shall be docketed as a public record and published in the Wyoming Reporter and the Pacific Reporter, served upon the Respondent and transmitted to the members of the Board of Professional Responsibility and the appropriate clerks of court.

The Report and Recommendation for Public Censure can be found at the link below.

C.J. Voigt delivered the order for the court.

Link to the case: http://tinyurl.com/yu6x65 .

Summary 2007 WY 7

Summary of Decision issued January 17, 2007

[SPECIAL NOTE: This opinion uses the "Universal Citation." It was given an "official" citation when it was issued. You should use this citation whenever you cite the opinion, with a P.3d parallel citation. Please note when you look at the opinion that all of the paragraphs are numbered. When you pinpoint cite to a quote, you should cite to this paragraph number rather than to any page number. If you need assistance in putting together a citation using the Universal Citation form, please contact the Wyoming State Law Library.]

Summaries are prepared by Law Librarians and are not official statements of the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Case Name: Board of Professional Responsibility, Wyoming State Bar v. Cleveland

Citation: 2007 WY 7

Docket Number: D-06-9

Order of Public Censure

The matter came before the Court upon a “Report and Recommendation for Public Censure” filed December 26, 2006, by the Board of Professional Responsibility for the Wyoming State Bar. The Court, after a careful review of the Board’s report, the Respondent’s “Section 16 Affidavit and Stipulation to Discipline,” Bar Counsel’s “Motion for Public Censure and to File a Report and Recommendation for Discipline,” and the file, finds that the Report and Recommendation should be approved, confirmed and adopted by the Court; and that Respondent should be publicly censured in the manner set forth in the Report and Recommendation.

Respondent shall receive a public censure for his conduct in a manner consistent with the recommended censure contained in the Report and Recommendation for Public Censure; Respondent shall complete five additional hours of ethics CLE, reimburse the Wyoming State Bar the amount of $200.00 for some of the costs incurred in handling the matter as well as pay an administrative fee of $500.00 to the Clerk of the Board of Professional Responsibility on or before March 1, 2007. The order shall be docketed as a public record and published in the Wyoming Reporter and the Pacific Reporter, served upon the Respondent and transmitted to the members of the Board of Professional Responsibility and the appropriate clerks of court.

The Report and Recommendation for Public Censure can be found at the link below.

C.J. Voigt delivered the order for the court.

Link to the case: http://tinyurl.com/2awu6x .