PUBLIC REPRIMAND
On October 22, 2004, the Chair of the Ethics and Discipline Committee of the Utah Supreme Court entered an Order of Discipline: Public Reprimand reprimanding John Bucher for violation of Rules 1.3 (Diligence), 1.4(a) (Communication), 1.5(b) (Fees), 1.16(a)(3) (Declining or Terminating Representation), and Rule 8.4(a) (Misconduct) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
In summary:
Mr. Bucher represented a client in a criminal matter. The client paid Mr. Bucher $10,000. Mr. Bucher failed to communicate the basis of his fee in writing within a reasonable time after commencing representation. Mr. Bucher did not properly handle the case and did not keep the client informed of the status of the case. Mr. Bucher did not explain the matter to the extent reasonably necessary to enable the client to make informed decisions regarding representation. The client terminated the representation by letter, but Mr. Bucher delayed in terminating his representation of the client. Mr. Bucher refunded $1500 to the client.