In re Banas

After a public hearing, the District VC Ethics Committee (DEC) recommended public discipline of respondent, Richard Bañas, for violations of Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 1.15 (safekeeping property); 4.1 (truthful statements to others); and 4.4 (respecting legal rights of third persons).

The Disciplinary Review Board (DRB) concluded that respondent had violated RPC 1.15(b), which states that “a lawyer shall promptly deliver to the client or third person any funds or other property that the client or third person is entitled to receive.” For that violation, the DRB recommended a six-month…