Board of Overseers of the Bar v. William L. Dawson, Jr., Esq.

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Docket No.: BAR#13-23

Issued by: Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Date: September 28, 2015

Respondent: William L. Dawson, Jr., Esq.

Bar Number: 006887

Order: Order and Decision

Disposition/Conduct: Order to Continue Stay of Proceedings

ORDER TO CONTINUE STAY OF PROCEEDINGS

M. BAR R. 13(g)

The Court previously issued an order dated February 23, 2015, which continued this disciplinary proceeding until July 1, 2015.

Defendant William L. Dawson, Jr. has moved to continue the stay of this disciplinary proceeding until the conclusion of the state?s prosecution of its November 13, 2014 indictment against him for four counts that are related to the misconduct allegations in the Board of Overseers of the Bar?s Information. The request to continue the stay is based upon the Defendant?s assertion that his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination prevent him from properly answering or defending against the Board?s Information. The Board of Overseers of the Bar, by and through Bar Counsel, has objected to the continued stay. As a result, for good cause shown, it is HEREBY ORDERED as follows:

  1. This disciplinary proceeding is now continued until January 4, 2016, with Defendant William Dawson?s Answer to the Board?s Information being due to be filed with the Court by January 8, 2016;
  2. The terms and conditions of the Court?s Consent Order of December 16, 2013 shall remain in effect;
  3. As provided in the Order dated February 23, 2015, William L. Dawson?s law practice is and shall continue to be restricted and limited to only clients with bankruptcy matters, with all such matters being subject to the jurisdiction and oversight of a U. S. Bankruptcy Trustee or the U. S. Bankruptcy Court, as appropriate;
  4. William L. Dawson shall, on or before the first day of each month commencing on October 1, 2015 and concluding on December 1, 2015, provide to Bar Counsel an affidavit with the following information:
    1. The names and addresses of all current clients, with those lists being provided on the first day of each month and shall include a brief description of the legal services rendered to each client within the month preceding the report; and
    2. Within 10 days of a specific written request by Bar Counsel, Mr. Dawson shall provide copies of client file documentation identified in the monthly reports for review by Bar Counsel.
  5. Nothing in this Order shall constitute a judicial waiver of the attorney-client privilege. Bar Counsel shall maintain confidentiality of any information or instruments produced pursuant to this Order consistent with Maine Bar Rule 18.
  6. In the event the state?s criminal prosecution of Dawson is brought to judgment or otherwise closed on a date much earlier than January 1, 2016, causing his Fifth Amendment claim to be removed, the Court will entertain a request to amend this stay of proceedings.
  7. No further continuances of the due date for the filing of Defendant Dawson?s Answer to this disciplinary Information will be granted as a result of the pending criminal matter.

Date: September 28, 2015


Donald G. Alexander
Associate Justice
Maine Supreme Judicial Court