Beriston Bryan

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Attorney Berriston Bryan was found guilty of professional misconduct for neglecting a client's claim for compensation arising from a shooting. Despite a contingency fee arrangement from February 2004, no action was filed and no steps taken, and he refused to communicate with the client. The Panel proceeded in his absence and found beyond reasonable doubt breaches of Canons IV(r) and IV(s). He was fined $50,000 (with $40,000 to be paid to the complainant) and ordered to pay $5,000 costs. No finding of dishonesty.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Failure to attend hearings
• Failure to pay previously ordered costs of $1,000.00
• No explanation given for the delay
• Refused to see client or take his calls after complaint was laid

Mitigating factors:

• Complainant's right of action was not yet statute barred