Board of Overseers of the Bar v. Jose L. Serpa, Esq.

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Docket No.: BAR-14-11

Issued by: Single Justice, Maine Supreme Judicial Court

Date: July 17, 2014

Respondent: Jose L. Serpa, Esq.

Bar Number: 004649

Order: Suspension

Disposition/Conduct: Reciprocal Discipline

ORDER of SUSPENSION
M. Bar R. 7.2(c)

This Court received a certified copy of the May 1, 2014 Order of Term Suspension and Memorandum of Decision issued by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. That Order suspended the above-named Defendant, Jose L. Serpa, for his violations of the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct. In this reciprocal discipline action filed by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar, Mr. Serpa has defaulted by failing to file any response whatsoever to this Court's June 2, 2014 Order and Notice that Bar Counsel confirmed was served upon Mr. Serpa on June 10, 2014 by certified mail, return receipt requested. That Order had provided Mr. Serpa an opportunity to show cause within 30 days why the Court should not impose identical discipline to that imposed upon him in Massachusetts.

Therefore, based upon that default by Mr. Serpa, this Court hereby ORDERS:

  1. The Board of Overseers of the Bar's Petition for Reciprocal Discipline is hereby granted in all respects;
  2. Effective immediately and pursuant to M. BarR. 7.3(h)(3), Jose L. Serpa is suspended from practicing law in Maine for sixty (60) days for his violations of the portions of Maine's Rules of Professional Conduct that are analogous to his violations of the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct as found in the Massachusetts' Order of Term Suspension, i.e. M. R. Prof. Conduct 8.4(c)(d); and
  3. Within thirty (30) days of the entry of this Order, Mr. Serpa shall file with the Clerk, and with the Board of Overseers, an affidavit attesting his compliance with the provisions of Maine Bar Rule 7.3(i)(B)(C).

Joseph M. Jabar, Associate Justice
Maine Supreme Judicial Court