Attorney Malpractice as Executor of Will

The Supervisory Authority over Lawyers found that an attorney's protracted inaction and severe dereliction of duties while serving as an executor of a will constituted a violation of public professional ethical standards, as timely action is an elementary duty for lawyers. The court reasoned that an executor, like an attorney in an engagement, may resign the mandate at any time without cause, except at an inauspicious time, and no obligation to continue the service exists, thus rejecting the argument that the attorney could not resign as justification for the delay exceeding two years without substantial work, despite numerous warnings and official orders, and noting that such conduct endangers the dignity and reputation of the profession.