On Thursday, June 13, 2024, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals approved a petition for negotiated discipline for attorney Rachelle Young. The court order suspended Young from practicing law for 30 days but stayed the suspension entirely in favor of one year of probation with conditions.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Rachelle S. Young,” with case no. 24-BG-0438.
Young voluntarily acknowledged that she failed to diligently represent clients and keep them properly informed in three cases. She did not notify one client of their appeal rights in a timely manner or respond to questions about an opposition filing. In another case, it took Young over two years to complete a draft demand letter, and failed to update the client about the employer’s response for nearly a year. For a third client, Young did not properly communicate about a settlement agreement for several months.
Young admitted her actions violated rules regarding diligence, communication with clients, and responsibilities when terminating representation. As part of the negotiated discipline, Young agreed to a 30-day suspension stayed in favor of one year of probation. Conditions of her probation include taking legal ethics courses, establishing better communication procedures with clients, and working with the District of Columbia Bar’s practice management advisory service to improve her law firm’s operations.
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility had previously approved the negotiated discipline petition. In its order, the Court of Appeals found the admitted misconduct was supported by evidence and that the proposed sanction was reasonably consistent with similar past cases. Young’s one-year probation period will begin 30 days from the court’s June 13 order date.
According to avvo.com, Ms. Young is an employment & labor attorney in Arlington, Virginia. She acquired her law license in the District of Columbia in 2010.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
