In Re Charges of Unprofessional Conduct in Panel File No. 42735

Summary

The court held that the attorney did not knowingly disobey the deadline for responding to a summary-judgment motion because the record showed that the attorney and client understood that the representation had been limited to settlement negotiations. The panel therefore applied an impermissible negligence or strict-liability standard by disregarding the circumstances bearing on the attorney's actual knowledge. The court reversed the panel's decision and vacated the admonition.