This page is an unofficial mirror and is not legal advice. Verify the document against the official source before relying on it.
Kristina A. Cournoyer (2024)
THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SUPREME COURT
ORDER LD-2024-0012, In the Matter of Kristina A. Cournoyer, Esquire On September 12, 2024, the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) filed a recommendation that Attorney Kristina A. Cournoyer be suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years, retroactive to July 23, 2024. The PCC also recommended that Attorney Cournoyer be ordered to pay the costs associated with the investigation and enforcement of the disciplinary matter. The PCC’s recommendation approved a stipulation signed by Attorney Cournoyer and Disciplinary Counsel, in which Attorney Cournoyer agreed that she had violated Rule 3.4 of the New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct by contumaciously disobeying multiple court orders in her own divorce/ parenting case, and further agreed that the appropriate sanction was a two-year suspension. Attorney Cournoyer expressly waived her right to a hearing before the court. In accordance with Rule 37(16), because this matter was resolved by a dispositive stipulation, the court may consider this matter without further notice and hearing. Based on the parties’ stipulation, the PCC found that Attorney Cournoyer violated the following Rules of Professional Conduct:
1. Rule 3.4, which prohibits a lawyer from knowingly disobeying a court order; and
2. Rule 8.4(a), which makes it misconduct to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct. The court has reviewed the PCC’s findings and rulings and concludes that they are supported by the record. The court accepts the PCC’s recommendation regarding the appropriate sanction for this misconduct and concludes that a two-year suspension from the practice of law, retroactive to July 23, 2024, is warranted. Accordingly, having approved the PCC’s findings, rulings and recommended sanction, the court orders as follows: (1) Attorney Kristina A. Cournoyer is suspended from the practice of law in New Hampshire for a period of two years, retroactive to July 23, 2024; and
(2) Attorney Cournoyer is ordered to reimburse the Professional Conduct Committee for all costs and expenses incurred by the attorney discipline system in the investigation and prosecution of this matter. MacDonald, C.J., and Bassett, Donovan, and Countway, JJ., concurred. DATE: October 16, 2024 ATTEST: wd 6 } Midas Timothy A. Gudas, Clerk
Distribution: Professional Conduct Committee, 24-007 Kristina A. Cournoyer, Esq. Sara S. Greene, Esq. NH Bar Association, Member Records Jennifer Mc Manus, Supervisor, Member Records/Renewal Group Barbara Valent i, Billing, NH Bar Association Sarah Blodgett, Executive Director, NH Bar Association Cindy Roberts, Executive Department Assistant, NH Bar Association Deborah Hawkins, NH Bar Association File