Opinion
No. 625, 2002
Submitted: December 2, 2002
Decided: December 18, 2002
Board on Prof. Responsibility Case No. 22, 2002
Disbarred.
Unpublished opinion is below.
IN THE MATTER OF A MEMBER OF THE BAR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF DELAWARE: RUTH E. PARKS, Respondent. No. 625, 2002 In the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware. Submitted: December 2, 2002 Decided: December 18, 2002
Before VEASEY, Chief Justice, WALSH, and STEELE, Justices.
E. Norman Veasey, Chief Justice:
ORDER
(1) This is a lawyer disciplinary proceeding. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel initiated proceedings seeking reciprocal discipline against the respondent, Ruth Parks. The ODC asserted that Parks had been disbarred by the New Hampshire Supreme Court on May 14, 2002 for numerous violations of the New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct.
Previously, this Court had suspended Parks from the practice of law in Delaware on an interim basis by order dated July 13, 1999.
(2) In accordance with Rule 18 of the Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, the Board on Professional Responsibility sent a notice to Parks of the New Hampshire order and directed her or her counsel to inform the Board and the Court of any claim she might have regarding why the identical discipline should not be imposed in Delaware. After several failed attempts at service, Parks eventually was personally served with a copy of the Board's notice on July 26, 2002. Parks did not respond.
(3) On November 7, 2002, in accordance with Rule 18(d), the Board filed its report with this Court recommending that Parks be disbarred from the practice of law in Delaware. Neither Parks nor the ODC filed any objections to the Board's report and recommendation.
(4) The Court has considered the matter carefully. We find the Board's recommendation of disbarment to be appropriate. We therefore accept the Board's findings and recommendation for discipline.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Ruth E. Parks is hereby DISBARRED from the practice of law in Delaware. Her name shall be stricken immediately from the roll of attorneys licensed to practice before the Courts of this State. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel shall disseminate this Order in accordance with Rule 14 of the Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.