REINSTATEMENT
James Jeffrey Crook (El Paso)
James Jeffrey Crook [#05111000], 82, of El Paso, filed a petition in the 168th Judicial District Court of El Paso County for reinstatement as a member of the State Bar of Texas.
SUSPENSIONS
Daniel K. Chism (Houston)
On June 23, 2020, DAniel K. ChisM [#24064182], 44, of Houston, received a six-month fully probated suspension effective July 1, 2020, through January 1, 2021. An investigatory panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that Chism failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the client’s legal matter and failed to promptly comply with her reasonable requests for information about the case. Chism also upon receiving funds to which his client was justly entitled, failed to promptly deliver to his client said funds that she was entitled to receive
Chism violated Rules 1.03(a) and 1.14(b)
Kyle B. Collins (Austin)
On June 26, 2020, Kyle B. Collins [#04613400], 66, of Austin, accepted a one-year fully probated suspension effective July 1, 2020. An investigatory panel of the District 9 Grievance Committee found that while representing a client in a criminal matter, Collins neglected the legal matter and failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the matter. Collins further failed to timely return the unearned fee to his client and timely file a response to the grievance
Collins violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(8)
Thomas Austin Willbern (Houston)
On June 29, 2020, Thomas Austin Willbern [#21507700], 68, of Houston, received a 12-month fully probated suspension effective June 30, 2020, through June 30, 2021. An investigatory panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that Willbern failed to timely furnish to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel a response or other information as required by the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Willbern did not, in good faith, timely assert a privilege or other legal ground for failure to do so.
Willbern violated Rule 8.04(a)(8)
Richard Otto Harbermann (McAllen)
On July 6, 2020, Richard Otto Harbermann [#08665530], 74, of McAllen, agreed to a five-year partially probated suspension effective July 1, 2020, with the first six months actively served and the remainder probated. An investigatory panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that Habermann failed to hold funds related to a representation separate from his own property and failed to deliver funds to parties entitled to receive the funds promptly
Habermann violated Rules 1.14(a) and 1.14(b). He was ordered to pay $88,672 in restitution and $800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses