A Delaware County lawyer previously convicted of criminal contempt has been suspended for a pattern of neglect that ultimately left seven clients' cases in shambles.
The disciplinary board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday suspended Kevin Mark Wray for a year and a day over his "serial neglect" in multiple criminal cases.
Neglecting clients and generally ineffective lawyering is the most common misstep that lands attorneys in front of the disciplinary board, according to a recent investigation by The Legal.
The year-and-a-day suspension means Wray will have to go through the reinstatement process to have his license reactivated at the end of his punishment.
According to the board's opinion, such a suspension is "appropriate in cases involving serial neglect, failing to communicate, retaining unearned fees, failing to take steps to remedy the neglect, and failing to respond to disciplinary authorities."
Wray did not immediately return a call seeking comment. The board's opinion noted that he consented to the suspension, although his cooperation with the board was "belated."
In one of the cases, Wray was hired by James Walters to represent him in a DUI case. According to the board, Wray never followed through with his request to leave the case by filing a new motion to withdraw at the judge's request.
Wray instead renewed his old motion, and never informed Walters or the court that he would not attend jury selection in the trial. Standby counsel was eventually appointed to Walters, who was convicted of attempting to evade police.
Wray, who said he had a conflict in his representation of Walters, was convicted of criminal contempt for failing to appear at trial without notice. He was fined $2,500. He did not report the conviction to the disciplinary authorities.
In another case, according to the board, Wray agreed to file an appeal on behalf of Anthony A. Williams to remove his classification as a sexual predator and eliminate his Megan's Law reporting requirements. Williams had pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault.
The appeal was dismissed for failure to file a brief. Wray had been paid $3,000 for his representation of Williams.
For a total of $3,500, Wray agreed to represent Ikeem A. Sales in his drug case, according to the board. Sales was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, but Wray told his client he would appeal.
According to the board, Wray twice asked for time extensions to file the appeal, which was eventually dismissed by the Superior Court for failure to file a brief.