Christine Marie-Victoria Blackadar (2006)

As stated in the Hearing Panel's Report dated September 12,2006, "[nlo evidence of mental

II. Discussion

M. Gray and David N. Page were absent. Martin. Members Benette Pizzimenti and Richard H. Darling were recused from the matter. Toni Connair, Alan J. Croll.t1.eim, Gerald A. Daley-, Gretchen Rule Hamel, Reporter, and James R. were Margaret H. Nelson, Committee Chair, Ellen 1. Arnold, David N. Cole, Thomas P. Counsel and Counsel for Ms. Blackadar on the issue of sanctions. Committee members present August 31 hearing and the Hearing Panel's Report, and heard oral argument from Disciplinary 17,2006, the Committee considered the supplemented record, including the transcript of the specific purpose of receiving evidence of Ms. Blackadar's incapacity. At its meeting on October In response to the remand, the Hearing Panel convened a hearing on August 31, 2006, for the

and a recommendation based on such evidence. specific purpose of receiving evidence on the medical incapacity/treatment and making findings incapacity and treatment, the Committee voted to remand the matter to the Hearing Panel for the Cornmittee's Remand. Due to the lack of evidence of}v1s. Blackadar's alleged medical other rules, as found by the Hearing Panel as reflected in its Report and as restated in the 1.15(a)(l) relative to failure to safeguard client property, and Rule 8.4(a) relative to violations of constitnted violations of Rules 1.15(b) and 1.16(d) relative to failure to retum client funds, Rule Remand"). The Committee also found, by clear and convincing evidence, that the facts restated in the Committee's Remand to Hearing Panel dated June 14,2006 ("Committee's convincing evidence, the facts as found by the Hearing Panel as reflected in its Report and as was not requested at that time. Havingreviewed the Record, the Committee found, by clear and the Hearing Panel Report and Recommendation, and related procedural mings. Oral argument Memorandum on Sanction, Christine Marie-Victoria Blackadar' s Memorandum on Sanctions, Proposed Findings of Fact and Rulings of Law and Request for Costs, Disciplinary Counsel's the complete record, including the Notice of Charges, the Amendment to Notice of Charges, At its meeting on May 16, 2006, the Professional Conduct Committee ("Committee") considered

Victoria Blackadar. This matter arose from a complaint filed by Valeta A. Bridges again.st Attorney Ch..ristine Marie­

I. Background

Blackadar, Christine Marie-Victoria advs. Valeta A. Bridges # 03-071

Alan J. Cronheim Holly B. Fazzino, Admin. Coordinator Thomas P. Connair * non attorney member David N. Cole David N. Page* Ellen L. Arnold James R. Martin Toni M. Gray, * Vice Chair 603-224-5828 + Fax 228-9511 Gretchen Rule Hamel Benette Pizzhnenti, Vice Chair. Concord, New Hampshire 03301 Richard H. Darling' Margaret H. Nelson, Chair 4 Park Street, Suite 304 Gerald A. Daley'

Arpiar G. Saunders, Jr., Esquire Landya B. McCafferty, Disciplinary Counsel Distribution: Chair

Marie-Victoria Blackadar. Supreme Court seeking the immediate suspension and ultimate disba=ent of Attorney Christine The Connnittee hereby directs Disciplinary Counsel to file a Petition with the New Hampsj,jre

v. Petition for Disbarment

assessed all costs associated with the investigation and prosecution of this luattel'. Ms. Blackadar be suspended immediately pending the disba=ent proceeding and that she be 1. 1 5(a)(1),:R111e 1.15(b),-:Rule 1.16(d), and Rule 8.4(a). The C0111~l!littee also reco!11~tTIends that Blackadar be disbarred from the practice of law for violating N.H. R. Professional Conduct Rule For the reasons stated above, the Committee recommends that Christine Marie-Victoria

IV. Conclusion

of this matter against Ms. Blackadar. disbalment proceediclg and to assess all costs associated with the investigation and prosecution The Committee also voted to request Ms. Blackadar's immediate suspension pending the disbarred based on her violations of Rule 1.15(a)(1), Rule 1.15(b), Rule 1.16(d), and Rule 8.4(a). incapacity as a mitigating factor. The Committee thus voted to recommend that Ms. Blackadar be medical professional even after remand, the Connnittee was Ullwilling to consider the alleged Because no evidence was presented of Ms. Blackadar's alleged incapacity or treatment by a

III. Sanction

proof of rehabilitation of the underlying incapacity. suspension with an opportunity to request reinstatement thereafter conditioned on, inter alia, issued earlier in this same proceeding. COll.l1sel for Ms. Blackadar argued for a one-year funds and failure to cooperate with the attorney disciplinary process, for which a ·Reprimand was Disciplinary Counsel again argued for disbarment based on Ms. Blackadar's misuse of client

obtained. and had not provided any releases so that records regarding her incapacity or treatment could be provided conf=able info=ation regarding a treating physician or mental health professional Connnittee. Counsel for Ms. Blackadar confi=ed at oral argument that his client had not counsel to prepare for the hearing. Ms. Blackadar also did not attend the oral argument before the August 31 hearing shows that Ms. Blackadar neither attended the hearing nor assisted her incapacity andlor treatment was presented at the [August 31] hearing." The transcript of the.