Richard G. Wern v. South Carolina Commission on Lawyer Conduct

TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .............................................................................. ii PRIOR PROCEEDINGS ......................................................................................2 JURISDICTIONAL BASIS OF PETITION ...................................................... 3 CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS INVOLVED...............................................3 STATEMENT OF THE CASE ............................................................................3 ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF WRIT OF CERTIORARI ................................6

1. Deference to state regulation of the practice of a profession is not absolute, and federal intervention is appropriate in Petitioner’s circumstance. .............................................................. 6

2. The standard for consideration of undue delay, recognized as a due process implication in disciplinary proceedings, was changed and retroactively applied to Petitioner without notice. ..............................................................................................7

3. New rules for Petitioner reveal the sanction to have been punitive in nature, not for legitimate purpose of protecting the public. ..........................................................................................8 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................10 APPENDIX Order Denying Petition for Rehearing filed November 25, 2020 ...... A-01 Petition for Rehearing dated October 22, 2020 ................................. A-02 Opinion of the South Carolina Supreme Court No. 27998 filed October 7, 2020 ........................................................................... A-14 Panel Report dated January 25, 2020 ................................................ A-24