Douglas Evans

DCCA Opinion (November 16, 2016)

Summary: The Board on Professional Responsibility recommends that the D.C. Court of Appeals suspend Evans for 30 days, stayed in favor of one-year unsupervised probation with conditions. This matter involves Evans’ mishandling of an appeal from his client’s conviction in a criminal case. Evans failed to file an appendix to an appellate brief and was replaced by successor counsel after the appeal was dismissed. Evans also failed to communicate to his client that the appeal was dismissed and to file a motion for a reduction in sentence pursuant to D.C. Superior Court Criminal Rule 35. The Board found that Evans failed to provide competent representation, failed to serve the client with commensurate skill and care, failed to represent the client with diligence and zeal within legal bounds, failed to act with reasonable promptness, failed to keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter, failed to explain the matter to the extent necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, failed to take timely steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect the client’s interests upon termination of the representation, and engaged in conduct that seriously interfered with the administration of justice. Rules 1.1(a), 1.1(b), 1.3(a), 1.3(c), 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 1.16(d), and 8.4(d).

Hearing Committee Report (October 13, 2015)

Summary: Not yet available.