Committee on Legal Ethics of the West Virginia State Bar v. Morton

This is a disciplinary proceeding instituted by the Committee on Legal Ethics of the West Virginia State Bar against Belinda S. Morton, a member of the Bar. Because Ms. Morton failed to communicate properly with clients, the Committee recommended that this Court publicly reprimand Ms. Morton, require her to participate in a mentor program and require her to pay the costs of the proceeding. We agree with the Committee’s conclusion that Ms. Morton is guilty of an ethical violation; however, we find that in light of the circumstances, the respondent should not be required to pay costs.

The…