In re Dempsey
Matter of Dempsey
Opinion
Opinion
Peckham, J.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
INTRODUCTION
On October 15, 1984, this court issued to Arthur Daniel Dempsey an order to show cause why he should not be disbarred for incompetent and unprofessional behavior before this court. A hearing was held on September 17, 1985, at which time Mr. Dempsey responded to charges of more than twenty specific examples of incompetence or misconduct.
This court has reviewed the evidence and finds that Mr. Dempsey did, in fact, engage in conduct inappropriate for an attorney practicing before this court. The court, therefore, suspends Mr. Dempsey from the roll of attorneys entitled to practice before this court until such time as he has completed the course of remediation described in detail below.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
In the summer of 1979, Bernard Altamirano was brought to trial on four counts of distribution of heroin, two counts of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and one count of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm. Altamirano’s family retained the legal services of Mr. Edward Solomon, who in turn hired Mr. Dempsey. Although both attorneys were of record, Mr. Dempsey acted as lead counsel in all court appearances.