In the Matter of Joseph F. Lawless, Jr. (disciplinary order)
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL, : Petitioner : : v. : : JOSEPH F. LAWLESS, JR., : Respondent : No. 1918 Disciplinary Docket No. 3 No. 177 DB 2013 Attorney Registration No. 23691 (Montgomery County) ORDER PER CURIAM: AND NOW, this 31 st day of March, 2014, upon consideration of the Recommendation of the Three-Member Panel of the Disciplinary Board dated January 13, 2014, the Joint Petition in Support of Discipline on Consent is hereby granted pursuant to Rule 215(g), Pa.R.D.E., and it is ORDERED that Joseph F. Lawless, Jr., is suspended on consent from the Bar of this Commonwealth for a period of one year and one day, the suspension is stayed in its entirety, and he is placed on probation for a period of two years subject to the following conditions: 1. Respondent shall abstain from using alcohol, drugs, or any other moodaltering or mind-altering chemicals except for those medications prescribed by Respondent s physicians; 2. Respondent shall regularly attend meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous on a weekly basis; 3. Respondent shall obtain a sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous and maintain weekly contact with that sponsor; 4. A sobriety monitor shall be appointed to monitor Respondent in accordance with Disciplinary Board Rule ยง89.293(c); 5. Respondent shall furnish his sobriety monitor with his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor s name, address and telephone number; 6. Respondent shall establish his weekly attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings by providing written verification on a Boardapproved form to the Board; 7. Respondent shall undergo any counseling, out-patient or in-patient treatment, prescribed by a physician or alcohol counselor; 8. Respondent shall file with the Secretary of the Board quarterly written reports; 9. With the sobriety monitor, Respondent shall: a) meet at least twice a month b) maintain weekly telephone contact c) provide the necessary properly executed written authorizations to verify his compliance with the required substance abuse treatment; and d) 10. cooperate fully. The appointed sobriety monitor shall: a) monitor Respondent s compliance with the terms and conditions of the order imposing probation; b) assist Respondent in arranging any necessary professional or substance abuse treatment; c) meet with Respondent at least twice a month, and maintain weekly telephone contact with him; d) maintain direct monthly contact with Respondent s Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor; e) file with the Secretary of the Board quarterly written reports; and f) immediately report to the Secretary of the Board any violations by the Respondent of the terms and conditions of the probation.
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