In re Phyllis McCoy-Jacien, Esq. ( 2018 )


Menu:
  •                                         ENTRY ORDER
    
    2018 VT 116
    SUPREME COURT DOCKET NO. 2018-075
    OCTOBER TERM, 2018
    In re Phyllis McCoy-Jacien, Esq.                  }     Original Jurisdiction
    }
    }
    }     PRB DOCKET NO. 2018-024
    In the above-entitled cause, the Clerk will enter:
    CONTEMPT ORDER
    ¶ 1.    On March 29, 2018, this Court suspended respondent Phyllis McCoy-Jacien’s
    license to practice law for nine months. See In re Phyllis McCoy-Jacien, Esq., 
    2018 VT 35
    .
    Attorney Jess T. Schwidde was appointed as trustee “to inventory the files of the respondent, and
    to take action as seems indicated to protect the interests of . . . respondent’s clients.”
    Administrative Order 9, Rule 24. On September 7, 2018, the trustee filed a confidential final report
    outlining respondent’s refusal to cooperate in his efforts. On September 12, 2018, this Court
    ordered respondent to comply with the trustee’s May 7, 2018 Demand Letter within fourteen days
    and warned her that failure to comply might result in the initiation of contempt proceedings and/or
    the imposition of other sanctions. This order was personally served on respondent. On October
    1, 2018, the trustee filed notice with this Court that respondent had not complied with his demand
    letter. The Court thus scheduled a show-cause hearing to allow respondent the opportunity to
    show cause why she should not be held in contempt of the Court’s September 12, 2018 order. This
    order was also personally served on respondent.
    ¶ 2.   The Court held a show-cause hearing on October 18, 2018. Respondent did not
    appear. The Court finds respondent in contempt of its September 12, 2018 order. The existence
    of the Court’s order and respondent’s obligations under it are clear and demonstrated from the
    record. See Russell v. Armitage, 
    166 Vt. 392
    , 401, 
    697 A.2d 630
    , 635 (1997) (explaining that in
    contempt proceeding, Court must find valid order in place, that party willfully did not obey order,
    and that he or she had present ability to do so but refused). Respondent had the burden of
    establishing her inability to comply with this Court’s order and she failed to do so. See 
    id. at 401,
    697 A.2d at 636. We conclude that she willfully failed to comply with this Court’s September 12,
    2018 order.
    ¶ 3.   A party must be given the opportunity to purge any contempt finding. See Sheehan
    v. Ryea, 
    171 Vt. 511
    , 512, 
    757 A.2d 467
    , 468 (mem.) (2000); see also 
    Russell, 166 Vt. at 399
    , 697
    A.2d at 636. To purge herself of this finding of contempt, respondent must comply with this
    Court’s September 12, 2018 order by responding to the trustee’s May 7, 2018 Demand Letter.
    Respondent must comply by NOVEMBER 30, 2018.
    ¶ 4.    A purge hearing will occur on DECEMBER 4, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.
    ¶ 5.  A PARTY WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ORDER RISKS A
    SANCTION OF INCARCERATION.
    ¶ 6.     Respondent is specifically advised that at the purge hearing, the Court will consider
    the imposition of sanctions including incarceration. Respondent has a right to represented by an
    attorney at this hearing and if she cannot afford an attorney, she has the right to request that an
    attorney be appointed for her by this Court. See 
    Russell, 166 Vt. at 397
    , 697 A.2d at 633. Failure
    to retain an attorney or request an attorney by NOVEMBER 26, 2018 will result in a waiver of
    the right to be represented by counsel at the hearing.
    Respondent is found in contempt of the Court’s September 12, 2018 order. To purge this
    contempt, she must comply with the Court’s September 12, 2018 order by responding to the
    trustee’s May 7, 2018 Demand Letter. Respondent must comply by November 30, 2018. Failure
    to comply may result in the imposition of a sanction of incarceration following a purge hearing.
    BY THE COURT:
    Paul L. Reiber, Chief Justice
    Publish
    Marilyn S. Skoglund, Associate Justice
    Do Not Publish
    Beth Robinson, Associate Justice
    Harold E. Eaton, Jr., Associate Justice
    Karen R. Carroll, Associate Justice
    2
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 2018-075

Filed Date: 10/18/2018

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 10/6/2023