Opinion
02PDJ100 (consolidated with 02PDJ101, 02PDJ109, 03PDJ004, 03PDJ042, 03PDJ105, 04PDJ037, 04PDJ072, 05PDJ012 and 05PDJ045).
January 21, 2009.
Attorney Regulation.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved a Conditional Admission of Misconduct submitted by the parties and suspended Betty Ann Bass (Attorney Registration No. 16489) from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day, all stayed upon the successful completion of a two-year period of probation with conditions, effective January 21, 2009. Respondent represented several indigent, in-custody criminal defendants in post-conviction relief and/or appeal matters as alternate defense counsel. In each of the cases at issue, she neglected client matters and/or failed to adequately communicate with her clients. In some of the cases at issue, she overcharged the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel for uncompleted work, padded her fees, failed to return client files, and engaged in other acts of misconduct. Respondent's misconduct constituted grounds for the imposition of discipline pursuant to C.R.C.P. 251.5 and violated Colo. RPC 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a), 1.16(a)(3), 1.16(d), 3.2, 3.3(a)(1), 8.1(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).