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Board of Overseers of the Bar v. Jay H. Otis, Esq.
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Docket No.: BAR-13-7
Issued by: Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Date: March 26, 2013
Respondent: Jay H. Otis, Esq.
Bar Number: 002941
Order: Suspension
Disposition/Conduct: Failure to Communicate; Excessive Fee; Failure to Return Client Funds/Property; Failure to Respond to Disciplinary Authority; Commission of Unlawful Act which reflects adversely on Lawyer's trustworthiness and fitness to practice
ORDER OF SUSPENSION M. Bar R. 7.2(c)
By filing dated March 20, 2013 the Board of Overseers of the Bar (the Board) petitioned this Court for an immediate Order temporarily suspending Jay H. Otis from the practice of law in the State of Maine. Included with the Board?s Petition were related exhibits and an Affidavit of Assistant Bar Counsel.
Of note, Jay H. Otis has failed to respond to any of the involved grievance complaints or related fee arbitration and Lawyer?s Fund for Client Protection claim(s).
For good cause shown by the Board, Jay H. Otis appears to have committed numerous violations of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct, thereby serving as a threat to clients, the public and to the administration of justice. The Court finds that Attorney Otis?s actions constitute violations of M. R. of Prof. Conduct 1.4(a); 1.5(a); 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)(b)(d).
Accordingly, this Court ORDERS that Jay H. Otis be suspended from the practice of law in Maine until further Order of this Court. The Court further ORDERS that the Affidavit of Assistant Bar Counsel in this matter be sealed and impounded pending further Order of this Court.
Jon D. Levy, Associate Justice
Maine Supreme Judicial Court
