Linda L. Ashford (2015)

Committeedirectedthe parties to appear for oralargument. foundby theHearingPanel.However,beforevotingon whethertoacceptthestipulatedsanction,the and convincingevidence.The CommitteealsovotedtoaccepttheRuleviolationsasstipulatedand The Committeevotedtoacceptthefactsasstipulatedand foundbytheHearingPanel,by clear

statusandallowinghim act asMr. Treadwell'scounsel. Rule5.3:ResponsibilitiesRegardingNon-lawyerAssistants,by failingtoverifyMr. Coddington's TreadwellofMr. Coddington'sstatus.Inaddition,thepartiesstipulatedthatAttorneyAshfordviolated Coddingtonasan "attorney"incorrespondencewithMr. Treadwell,and (3)and failingtoappriseMr. Communications,by (1)allowingMr. CoddingtontorepresentMr. Treadwell,(2)referringtoMr. fromthepracticeoflaw.The partiesstipulatedthatMs. AshfordviolatedRule1.4(a)(2):Client hearingincourt(the"TreadwellCase").The employee,PaulCoddington,was an attorneysuspended The second case involved Ms. Ashford's use of an office employee to represent her client at a

of Rule 3.3(c): DutyofCandor to the Tribunal. thefactspertinenttothecourt'sconsiderationofan ex parterequestforaprotectiveorder,inviolation Contentions.Inaddition,thepartiesstipulatedthatMs. Ashfordfailedtomake theCourtawareofallof behalfof her client without a sufficientfactualbasis, inviolationofRule3.1:MeritoriousClaims and domesticviolence(the"FrazelCase").The partiesstipulatedthatMs. Ashfordpursuedremedieson The matter arose from two cases. The first involved a divorce in which there were allegationsof

were absent.PeterG. Beeson was recused. and RichardD. Sager.SusanR. Cholletwas presentbutabstained.MarthaVan Oot and GeorgesJ.Roy ElaineHolden,Vice-Chair,AlanJ.Cronheim,RichardH. Darling,HeatherE.Krans,DavidW. Ruoff, abovematters.Members presentincluded:DavidM. Rothstein,Chair,BenettePizzimenti,Vice-Chair, On August17,2014,theProfessionalConductCommittee(the"Committee")deliberatedthe

Linda L. Ashfordadvs.AttorneyDisciplineOffice#12-027 and Linda L Ashfordadvs.RoyB. Frazel,IIIM 0-082

RichardH. Darling* Holly B. Fazzino,Administrator Alan J.Cronheim * non attorneymember Susan R. Chollet* Richard D. Sager PeterG. Beeson David W. Ruoff Elaine Holden,* ViceChair 603-224-5828 ♦ Fax 228-9511 Georges J. Roy* Benette Pizzimenti, Vice Chair Concord, New Hampshire 03301 Martha Van Oot David M. Rothstein,Chair 4 Chenell Drive,Suite102 Heather E. Krans

File Russell F.Hilliard,Esquire cc: Sara S. Greene,DisciplinaryCounsel

So ordered.

this matter, as well ascostsassociatedwith theNovember 21,2014 hearing. The Committee votedtoassessall costs associated with theinvestigationand prosecutionof

oftheconditionsset forth in theparties'stipulation. approvesthe stipulation and imposes a sanctionofa six-month suspension, stayed for one year, with all Committee'srecommendation ofa six-monthsuspension,stayedfor one year.The Committee now and HeatherE. Krans were absent.DisciplinaryCounsel andRespondent'sCounsel agreedwith the Sue Chollet,Georges J. Roy,David W. Ruoff, Richard D.Sager and Martha Van Oot.PeterG. Beeson Respondent's Counsel.Members present were David M. Rothstein, Chair, Elaine Holden, Vice Chair, On January20,2015,theCommittee reviewed theresponsesofDisciplinaryCounsel and

sanctionofa six-monthsuspension,stayedfor one year. theCommittee voted toconditionallyacceptthestipulation,contingentupon theparties'agreement to a surroundingthese twocasesand the ruleviolationsto which Ms.Ashford had stipulated.Accordingly, sanctionofa four-month stayedsuspensionwas inadequateinlightofallofthecircumstances suspension was notwarrantedin this case. However, the Committeedeterminedthat the proposed In viewofthemitigatingfactors outlined in the stipulation, theCommittee agreed that

which he wasrepresentedby asuspended lawyer. supervise Mr. Coddington resulted in Mr. Treadwell - unbeknownst to him -attendinga hearing at cause. In aseparateand unrelatedcase, Ms.Ashford'sfailure tocommunicate with Mr. Treadwelland and the public. Her actions resulted in a protective order being issued against Mr. Frazel without just noted the fact that Ms.Ashford'sconduct posed significant risksofharm to Mr. Frazel, Mr. Treadwell, questions posed by theCommittee. During the deliberation thatimmediatelyfollowed, the Committee suspension stayed for one year, with conditions outlined in the stipulation. Counsel also answered The parties presented oral argument in supportofthe stipulated sanctionofa four month

DisciplineOffice.Ms. Ashford was present, as was Roy Frazel, the complainant in the first case. appearedfor the Respondent. Sara S. Greene,DisciplinaryCounsel, appeared for the Attorney Cholletabstained.Peter G. BeesonandRichardD. Sagerwereabsent.RussellF. Hilliard,Esquire RichardH. Darling, Heather E. Krans, MarthaVan Oot, GeorgesJ. Roy, and DavidW. Ruoff. Susan R. Rothstein, Chair, Benette Pizzimenti,Vice-Chair,Elaine Holden, Vice-Chair,Alan J. Cronheim, Oral argument was held on November21,2014.Members present included David M. p. 3 File Russell F. Milliard,Esquire Sara S.Greene,DisciplinaryCounsel Distribution:

March 15,2016

Upon consideration,the Committee voted to closethe matters.

captionedmatter. On March 15,2016, the ProfessionalConduct Committee deliberatedthe above

Ashforcl,Linda L advs.AttorneyDiscipline Office-#12-027 Ashford,Linda L. advs.RoyFrazel - #10-082

Scott H. Harris Barbara J. Guay, LegalAssistant Richard H.Darling* * non attorneymember Susan R. Chollet* Martha Van Oot PeterG. Beeson Richard D. Sager Elaine Holden,* Vice Chair 603-224-5828 ♦Fax 228-9511 Georges J. Roy* Heather E. Krans, Vice Chair Concord, New Hampshire 03301 Mona T. Movafaghi David M. Rothstein,Chair 4 Chenell Drive, Suite 102 Margaret R. Kerouac