Opinion
No. 527, 2015
10-07-2015
In the Matter of a Member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of State of Delaware: James J. Woods, Jr., Respondent.
ORDER
Randy J. Holland, Justice
This 7th day of October 2015, upon receipt of sufficient evidence reflecting that James J. Woods, Esquire (“the Respondent”), a lawyer subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of this Court, has engaged in professional misconduct demonstrating that he poses a significant threat of substantial harm to the public and to the orderly administration of justice, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:
(1) The Respondent is immediately suspended from the practice of law in this State, under Rule 16(a) of the Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Disciplinary Procedure (“DLRDP”), pending the disposition of disciplinary proceedings before the Board on Professional Responsibility.
(2) During the period of interim suspension, the Respondent shall not:
(a) share in any legal fees arising from clients or cases referred by him during the period of suspension to any other lawyer; or
(b) share in any legal fees earned for services by others during such period of suspension. The Respondent also shall be prohibited from having any contact with clients or prospective clients or witnesses or prospective witnesses when acting as a paralegal, legal assistant, or law clerk under the supervision of a member of the Delaware Bar.
(3) The Office of Disciplinary Counsel shall file a petition in the Court of Chancery for the appointment of a Receiver of the Respondent's law practice under DLRPC Rule 24, and the Receiver shall provide notice to clients, adverse parties, and other as required by Rule 23.
(4) The Receiver shall make such arrangements as may be necessary to protect the interests of any of the Respondent's clients and the public. The Respondent shall cooperate in all respects with the Receiver, including providing the Receiver with all of the Respondent's law office books and records.
(5) This Order shall be made public.