An Oklahoma Attorney, David Knight, has been suspended from the practice of law for one year following disciplinary actions in Texas where he is also licensed.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued an order to Knight on June 6, 2014 to show cause why he should not also be suspended in Oklahoma based on the 2013 Texas decision. Knight did not respond to the court’s order and was suspended from the practice of law in Oklahoma for one year.
Knight’s ethics violations in Texas included client neglect, failure to communicate with a client, and failure to report discipline. The Texas bar had disciplined Knight for similar ethics violations in 2009. The court found that his previous misconduct established “a troubling history of neglect that must be considered in fashioning the appropriate discipline.” The court also took issue with Knight’s failure to respond to its order to show cause.
In reaching its decision, the court stated that it was within its discretion to impose the same discipline as that imposed in the other jurisdiction, including one of greater or lesser severity. Finding that discipline for client neglect in Oklahoma has generally ranged from public censure to two years suspension, the court imposed a one year suspension upon Knight.
