AttorneyDisciplineReleaseMarch05

March 1, 2005

EOIR Announces Latest Disciplinary Actions Under Rules of Professional Conduct
Three Attorneys Immediately Suspended; Three Receive Final Orders

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has taken disciplinary action against six attorneys after charging them with violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct for immigration practitioners. The rules appear in Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR Parts 1003 and 1292). In most cases, the disciplinary action is initiated as a result of sanctions imposed by other jurisdictions or a criminal conviction.

Although the disciplinary process may vary according to the specific circumstances of each case, generally it includes the following steps:

Disciplinary proceedings begin with a Notice of Intent to Discipline filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) by the Office of the General Counsel of either EOIR or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The BIA requires the attorney to respond to the alleged violations. In some cases, a Petition for Immediate Suspension also is filed and the BIA orders the attorney to be suspended immediately from practice before the immigration courts, the BIA, and the DHS. (DHS joins EOIR in taking the disciplinary action.) Disciplined attorneys are directed to notify promptly, in writing, any clients with cases currently pending before the BIA, the immigration courts, or the DHS that they may no longer represent clients before these tribunals. Disciplined attorneys must petition and be reinstated by the BIA before they can resume the practice of law before the BIA, the immigration courts, and the DHS.

Immediate Suspension
The BIA ordered the immediate suspension of the following attorneys:

Maritza Regalado: She was disbarred from the practice of law by the Supreme Court of Florida for neglect and engaging in acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. She was immediately suspended by the BIA on Feb. 7, 2005, pending final disposition of her case.

Paul White aka Krishan Kumar: He was disbarred from the practice of law by the Supreme Court of Washington for submitting false or incomplete information on applications for admission to two other state bars. He was immediately suspended by the BIA on Feb. 11, 2005, pending final disposition of his case.

Alex M. Sonson: He was suspended from the practice of law for 90 days by the Supreme Court of Hawaii for misappropriation of funds. He was immediately suspended by the BIA on Feb. 14, 2005, pending final disposition of his case.

Final Orders of Discipline
The BIA issued Final Orders of Discipline against the following attorneys:

Alfred L. Hansen: He was suspended from the practice of law for 2 years by the Supreme Court of Louisiana for violating numerous rules of professional conduct relating to an immigration matter. He was immediately suspended by the BIA on Jan. 10, 2005, pending final disposition of his case. The final order of Feb. 14, 2005, suspends him from practice before the immigration tribunals for 2 years, effective Jan. 10, 2005.

Paul Alan Schelly: He was suspended from the practice of law for 60 days by the Supreme Court of California for violating his previous disciplinary probation. He was immediately suspended by the BIA on Jan. 11, 2005, pending final disposition of his case. The final order of Feb. 14, 2005, suspends him from practice before the immigration tribunals for 60 days, effective Jan. 11, 2005.

Eric Tarankow: He was suspended from the practice of law for 2 years by the Supreme Court of California for violating numerous provisions of the California Rules of Professional Conduct and the California Business and Professions Code. He was immediately suspended by the BIA on Jan. 10, 2005, pending final disposition of his case. The final order of Feb. 14, 2005, suspends him from practice before the immigration tribunals for 2 years, effective Jan. 10, 2005.

Background

The Rules of Professional Conduct include provisions specifying grounds for disciplinary action, requirements for receiving and investigating complaints, and procedures for conducting hearings. The Rules also authorize the BIA to suspend immediately a practitioner who has been subject to disbarment, suspension, or resignation with an admission of misconduct as imposed by a state or federal court, or who has been convicted of a serious crime, pending a summary proceeding and final sanction. They are available on the EOIR website at http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/vll/fedreg/2000_2001/fr27jn00R.pdf.

EOIR announces these disciplinary actions to inform the public about practitioners who are not authorized to represent any matter before an immigration tribunal. EOIR also posts a "List of Suspended and Expelled Practitioners" on its website at http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir (near the bottom of EOIR's home page).

Additional information about the Attorney Discipline Program can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/press/00/profcond.htm and http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/press/00/profcondfaks.htm on the EOIR website.

EOIR is responsible for adjudicating immigration cases. Specifically, under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR interprets and administers federal immigration laws by conducting immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings. EOIR consists of three components: the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the numerous immigration courts located throughout the United States where immigration judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of immigration judge decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases. EOIR is committed to providing fair, expeditious, and uniform application of the nation's immigration laws in all cases.

- EOIR -

Contact:	Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
	(703) 305-0289 Fax: (703) 605-0365
Internet:	www.usdoj.gov/eoir