In the Matter of: Dwyer-Jones, Suzanne T. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-018-15)
NOTICE: All slip opinions and orders are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. If you find a typographical error or other formal error, please notify the Reporter of Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500, Boston, MA, 02108-1750; (617) 557-1030; SJCReporter@sjc.state.ma.us SJC-11516 IN THE MATTER OF SUZANNE T. DWYER-JONES. Suffolk. October 6, 2014. – February 5, 2015. Present: Spina, Cordy, Botsford, Duffly, Lenk, & Hines, JJ. Attorney at Law, Reciprocal discipline, Suspension, Disability, Inactive status. Information filed in the Supreme Judicial Court for the county of Suffolk on May 16, 2012. A petition to transfer to disability inactive status was heard by Gants, J. Thomas R. Kiley for the respondent. John W. Marshall, Assistant Bar Counsel. SPINA, J. We consider in this case whether an attorney who has been suspended from the practice of law in another jurisdiction based on mental health conditions or substance abuse is subject to reciprocal transfer to disability inactive status in Massachusetts without a separate hearing in Massachusetts to determine her incapacity. See S.J.C. Rule 4:01, § 13 (1), as amended, 435 Mass. 1302 (2002). We conclude that she is. 1. Background. The respondent, Suzanne T. Dwyer-Jones, has been admitted to practice in both Maine and Massachusetts. On March 25, 2013, a final hearing was held before a single justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on a petition filed by the Maine board of overseers of the bar for suspension of the respondent pursuant to Me. Bar R. 7.3(e)(2)(B). That rule permits the board to file a petition directly with the court where it is alleged that “the continued practice of [an] attorney poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public,” id., because the attorney is “incapacitated from continuing practice by reason of mental infirmity or addiction to drugs or intoxicants.” Me. Bar R. 7.3(e)(2)(A). After the hearing, at which the respondent was both present and represented by counsel, the Maine single justice found that the respondent “is afflicted with a substantial proclivity for substance abuse and a very serious mental health condition.” He stated: “[T]he combined effects of these conditions clearly produced a substantial incapacity that adversely impacted [the respondent’s] ability to practice law and resulted in a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public. Indeed, . . . she was essentially unable to manage her own affairs, let alone the complex matters involved in the representation of others. The court finds that the incapacitating symptoms of these conditions remain essentially as florid today as they were during […]
In the Matter of: Dwyer-Jones, Suzanne T. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-018-15)
NOTICE: All slip opinions and orders are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. If you find a typographical error or other formal error, please notify the Reporter of Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500, Boston, MA, 02108-1750; (617) 557-1030; SJCReporter@sjc.state.ma.us SJC-11516 IN THE MATTER OF SUZANNE T. DWYER-JONES. Suffolk. October 6, 2014. – February 5, 2015. Present: Spina, Cordy, Botsford, Duffly, Lenk, & Hines, JJ. Attorney at Law, Reciprocal discipline, Suspension, Disability, Inactive status. Information filed in the Supreme Judicial Court for the county of Suffolk on May 16, 2012. A petition to transfer to disability inactive status was heard by Gants, J. Thomas R. Kiley for the respondent. John W. Marshall, Assistant Bar Counsel. SPINA, J. We consider in this case whether an attorney who has been suspended from the practice of law in another jurisdiction based on mental health conditions or substance abuse is subject to reciprocal transfer to disability inactive status in Massachusetts without a separate hearing in Massachusetts to determine her incapacity. See S.J.C. Rule 4:01, § 13 (1), as amended, 435 Mass. 1302 (2002). We conclude that she is. 1. Background. The respondent, Suzanne T. Dwyer-Jones, has been admitted to practice in both Maine and Massachusetts. On March 25, 2013, a final hearing was held before a single justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on a petition filed by the Maine board of overseers of the bar for suspension of the respondent pursuant to Me. Bar R. 7.3(e)(2)(B). That rule permits the board to file a petition directly with the court where it is alleged that “the continued practice of [an] attorney poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public,” id., because the attorney is “incapacitated from continuing practice by reason of mental infirmity or addiction to drugs or intoxicants.” Me. Bar R. 7.3(e)(2)(A). After the hearing, at which the respondent was both present and represented by counsel, the Maine single justice found that the respondent “is afflicted with a substantial proclivity for substance abuse and a very serious mental health condition.” He stated: “[T]he combined effects of these conditions clearly produced a substantial incapacity that adversely impacted [the respondent’s] ability to practice law and resulted in a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public. Indeed, . . . she was essentially unable to manage her own affairs, let alone the complex matters involved in the representation of others. The court finds that the incapacitating symptoms of these conditions remain essentially as florid today as they were during […]
In the Matter of: Dwyer-Jones, Suzanne T. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-018-15)
NOTICE: All slip opinions and orders are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. If you find a typographical error or other formal error, please notify the Reporter of Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500, Boston, MA, 02108-1750; (617) 557-1030; SJCReporter@sjc.state.ma.us SJC-11516 IN THE MATTER OF SUZANNE T. DWYER-JONES. Suffolk. October 6, 2014. – February 5, 2015. Present: Spina, Cordy, Botsford, Duffly, Lenk, & Hines, JJ. Attorney at Law, Reciprocal discipline, Suspension, Disability, Inactive status. Information filed in the Supreme Judicial Court for the county of Suffolk on May 16, 2012. A petition to transfer to disability inactive status was heard by Gants, J. Thomas R. Kiley for the respondent. John W. Marshall, Assistant Bar Counsel. SPINA, J. We consider in this case whether an attorney who has been suspended from the practice of law in another jurisdiction based on mental health conditions or substance abuse is subject to reciprocal transfer to disability inactive status in Massachusetts without a separate hearing in Massachusetts to determine her incapacity. See S.J.C. Rule 4:01, § 13 (1), as amended, 435 Mass. 1302 (2002). We conclude that she is. 1. Background. The respondent, Suzanne T. Dwyer-Jones, has been admitted to practice in both Maine and Massachusetts. On March 25, 2013, a final hearing was held before a single justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on a petition filed by the Maine board of overseers of the bar for suspension of the respondent pursuant to Me. Bar R. 7.3(e)(2)(B). That rule permits the board to file a petition directly with the court where it is alleged that “the continued practice of [an] attorney poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public,” id., because the attorney is “incapacitated from continuing practice by reason of mental infirmity or addiction to drugs or intoxicants.” Me. Bar R. 7.3(e)(2)(A). After the hearing, at which the respondent was both present and represented by counsel, the Maine single justice found that the respondent “is afflicted with a substantial proclivity for substance abuse and a very serious mental health condition.” He stated: “[T]he combined effects of these conditions clearly produced a substantial incapacity that adversely impacted [the respondent’s] ability to practice law and resulted in a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public. Indeed, . . . she was essentially unable to manage her own affairs, let alone the complex matters involved in the representation of others. The court finds that the incapacitating symptoms of these conditions remain essentially as florid today as they were during […]
Suzanne Lee Kicks off City Council Campaign for District 2
Suzanne Lee, who came within 97 votes of unseating incumbent Bill Linehan in 2011, announced on Wednesday she is again running for the Boston City Council in District 2, which includes the South End. Lee said she remains committed to improving the quality of life here in Boston, and to developing “safe and vibrant communities.” “As I’ve continued to talk to residents throughout the district, I still hear concerns about jobs and liveable wages, about ensuring that every child has a quality education and about making Boston a place where families can find affordable housing options,” Lee said. “As City Councilor, I will build on my years of service to our communities and work hard to deliver the results that our families deserve.” More about LeeLee’s previous campaign in 2011 came just 100 votes short of unseating incumbent Bill Linehan. A resident of Chinatown, Lee has worked in the Boston Public Schools for 35 years, first as a teacher and later as a principal. She led a turnaround at the Baldwin School in Brighton, then went on to head the Josiah Quincy Elementary School for 10 years. During her tenure the school was named one of the Best 100 Elementary Schools in Massachusetts. Lee, a first generation immigrant, first got involved in community work by helping immigrant mothers launch the first Chinese Parents Association and helping unemployed garment workers secure Boston’s first bilingual training program. She has also worked closely with the Boston Foundation to address persistent poverty in the city. Lee grew up in Grove Hall, the child of garment and restaurant workers, and graduated from Girls’ Latin School. Lee was the first in her family to attend college, earning a scholarship to Brandeis University. Later, she earned her Master’s degree at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. “Suzanne’s work at the Josiah Quincy school demonstrates that she knows what it takes to builda successful urban school,” said Josh Weissof the South End, a longtime education advocate and parent of two children in the BPS. “As City Councilor, I am convinced that she will bring neighbors andcommunity groups together to help solve many of the issues our schools face.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch