On Monday, March 6, 2023, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma issued an Order suspending lawyer Melissa Ann Lipe from the practice of law due to
The case is entitled “Oklahoma Bar Association v. Melissa Ann Lipe” with case no. SCBD#7416.
On January 26, 2023, the Oklahoma Bar Association issued a request for the emergency interim suspension of the respondent from the practice of law due to noncompliance with her mandatory continuing legal education requirements and nonpayment of dues. Apart from this, the OBA detailed six counts of specific allegations against Respondent.
The Court then ordered the respondent to show cause as to why an emergency interim suspension should not be entered. Lipe did not file a response or objection to the verified complaint and application for interim suspension and/or the show cause order.
The disposition states:
Upon consideration of the verified complaint and application for emergency interim suspension, the Court finds that the Respondent has committed conduct in violation of the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct that poses an immediate threat of substantial and irreparable public harm.
Furthermore, the Respondent shall notify all her clients through certified mail within twenty days from the order of her inability to represent them and the necessity for promptly retaining new counsel and filing a formal withdrawal as counsel in all cases pending in any tribunal.
Lipe is a self-employed lawyer and she obtained her law degree at the Oklahoma City University School of law in 2002. Her information can be found here.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
