The Utah Supreme Court this week disbarred Provo attorney Richard B. Johnson after Johnson failed to comply with the terms of his six-month suspension from the Utah State Bar.
Johnson was first put on one-year probation in 1989 after the bar received a complaint from one of Johnson's clients. Johnson admitted to the truth of the complaint and consented to the discipline, according to the high court ruling.By January 1990, the bar had received six new complaints against Johnson. Clients said Johnson failed to return their phone calls and did not show up for scheduled court appearances. Bar officials also said Johnson had violated the terms of his probation by failing to send monthly reports to the bar or cooperate with the attorney assigned to supervise him.
In March 1990, Johnson was suspended from the practice of law for six months.
However, bar officials continued to receive complaints against Johnson during the time he wasn't supposed to be practicing law. He accepted new clients, negotiated fees and provided legal advice, the ruling said. He did not tell clients he had been suspended.
"Johnson continued to practice law in flagrant disregard of this court's order," the justices said in their ruling. "In the interest of the protection of the public and the legal profession, this court must therefore order Johnson's disbarment."