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In re Fukumoto

Citation: Not availableDocket: SCAD-19-0000586

Court: Hawaii Supreme Court; December 4, 2019; Hawaii; State Supreme Court

Original Court Document: View Document

Narrative Opinion Summary

Leslie S. Fukumoto, an attorney (Bar No. 2708), has been suspended from practicing law by the Supreme Court of Hawai#i. This decision follows a November 5, 2019, order to show cause issued to Fukumoto, to which he failed to respond by the November 27, 2019, deadline. The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until the completion of the trusteeship over his law practice, as per Rule 2.20(e) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Hawai#i (RSCH). Additionally, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) is tasked with assisting the Disciplinary Board in adhering to the notice requirements outlined in RSCH Rule 2.16(e). The court clerk is also directed to send copies of the suspension order to all judges in the state, in accordance with RSCH Rule 2.16(f). The order is dated December 5, 2019, and is signed by Chief Justice Recktenwald and Justices Nakayama, McKenna, Pollack, and Wilson.

Legal Issues Addressed

Attorney Suspension for Failure to Respond

Application: The Supreme Court of Hawai#i suspended Leslie S. Fukumoto from practicing law due to his failure to respond to an order to show cause by the specified deadline.

Reasoning: Leslie S. Fukumoto, an attorney (Bar No. 2708), has been suspended from practicing law by the Supreme Court of Hawai#i. This decision follows a November 5, 2019, order to show cause issued to Fukumoto, to which he failed to respond by the November 27, 2019, deadline.

Immediate Suspension and Trusteeship Under RSCH Rule 2.20(e)

Application: Fukumoto's suspension is immediate and will continue until the trusteeship over his law practice is completed, in accordance with the rules governing attorney conduct in Hawai#i.

Reasoning: The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until the completion of the trusteeship over his law practice, as per Rule 2.20(e) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Hawai#i (RSCH).

Notification Requirements Under RSCH Rule 2.16

Application: The Office of Disciplinary Counsel is responsible for assisting the Disciplinary Board in fulfilling the notice requirements, and the court clerk must notify all judges in the state.

Reasoning: Additionally, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) is tasked with assisting the Disciplinary Board in adhering to the notice requirements outlined in RSCH Rule 2.16(e). The court clerk is also directed to send copies of the suspension order to all judges in the state, in accordance with RSCH Rule 2.16(f).