PUBLIC REPRIMAND
On September 23, 2004, the Chair of the Ethics and Discipline Committee of the Utah Supreme Court entered an Order of Discipline: Public Reprimand reprimanding Victor Lawrence for violation of Rules 1.1 (Competence), 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4(a) (Communication), 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal), and 8.4(a) (Misconduct) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
In summary:
Mr. Lawrence represented debtors in a bankruptcy matter. In a ruling, the bankruptcy court stated that the debtors did not give the notice required to the creditors. Mr. Lawrence failed to list all creditors on the court’s mailing matrix of interested parties, even after receiving the trustee’s objection. Mr. Lawrence’s lack of competence denied the debtors their day in court. Mr. Lawrence also failed to pursue with the bankruptcy court issues of allowances and reimbursements due to the debtors and a creditor, and failed to communicate with the debtors regarding management of the cash collateral necessary to continue the debtors business. The court stated that Mr. Lawrence admitted to filing a false certificate of mailing with the court regarding the creditors.