Poor Trial Ad Skills Lead to Suspension

Calif. Suspends Lawyer Who Botched Gang-Related Shooting Case, Orders Arbitration Over Disputed Fee - ABA Journal, March 18, 2011. The disciplinary proceeding included three counts (with subcounts). The list right out of a Trial Ad syllabus is from Count One:

[R]espondent failed to perform with competence in the criminal case by:

• Performing little, if any, pre-trial case development, planning, or investigation on behalf of Rios.
• Failing to adequately argue motions in limine.
• Failing to make a coherent opening statement.
• Repeatedly failing to ask admissible and relevant questions.
• Repeatedly failing to assert proper objections.
• Repeatedly failing to move to exclude improper testimony.
• Failing to advance a defense theory.
• Repeatedly failing to adequately cross-examine witnesses.
• Failing to properly handle expert witness testimony on gang-related matters.
• Repeatedly failing to properly impeach witnesses’ testimony.
• Failing to adequately prepare Rios for direct and cross examination.
• Repeatedly failing to present evidence or elicit facts on behalf of Rios.
• Failing to diligently perform the services for which he was hire

In re Harlan R. Antler, STIPULATION RE FACTS, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DISPOSITION AND ORDER APPROVING (Sept. 20, 2010).