Opinion
Docket No. BAR 13-20
12-03-2013
Board of Overseers of the Bar Plaintiff v. William B. Cote, Esq. of Lewiston, ME Me. Bar #2892 Defendant
INTERIM ORDER of SUSPENSION
M. Bar R. 7.3(e)(2)(B)
By filing dated November 7, 2013 the Board of Overseers of the Bar petitioned this Court for an immediate Order suspending William B. Cote from the practice of law in the State of Maine. Included with the Board's Petition were related exhibits and an Affidavit of Assistant Bar Counsel.
For good cause shown by the Board, Attorney Cote appears to be incapacitated by reason of addiction to drugs or intoxicants. As a result, he has committed violations of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct, thereby serving as a threat to his clients, members of the public and to the administration of justice. See M. R. of Prof. Conduct 1.3; 1.4(a)(3); 3.4(c) and 8.4(a)(d). The Court finds that until Attorney Cote undergoes successful treatment and is actively compliant with a MAP contract his continued practice of law poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to his clients and the public.
Accordingly, pursuant to M. Bar R. 7.3(e)(2)(B), this Court ORDERS that William B. Cote is temporarily suspended from the practice of law in Maine until further Order of this Court. The Court further ORDERS that a Proxy shall be appointed to manage Attorney Cote's law office so that his client's interests will be protected. Finally, the Court ORDERS that the Affidavit of Assistant Bar Counsel with related exhibits in this matter be sealed and impounded pending further Order of this Court. Dated: December 3, 2013
/s/ Joseph M. Jabar
Associate Justice
Maine Supreme Judicial Court